AG Brown co-leads states suing to stop illegal termination of federal electric vehicle infrastructure funding

Washington has co-led a lawsuit against the Trump administration to halt the illegal termination of $1 billion in federal funding for electric vehicle infrastructure. Attorney General Nick Brown stated that the state could lose over $71 million due to the administration's actions, which he described as cash grabs that undermine taxpayer interests and stifle economic development. The lawsuit argues that the Federal Highway Administration's decision violates the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which appropriated $5 billion for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. Washington has been a leader in electric vehicle adoption, ranking in the top five states for over a decade. The state has implemented zero-emission vehicle standards to address transportation-related carbon pollution, which is the largest source of emissions in Washington.

The withholding of NEVI program funds hampers Washington's ability to achieve its environmental goals and meet statutory mandates. Brown is co-leading the lawsuit with California and Colorado and is supported by 16 other attorneys general. The legal action seeks to restore funding and facilitate essential EV infrastructure development for the state's residents.