Press Release | January 23, 2026
Federal Court Upholds $5 Billion Initiative for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
SEATTLE – A pivotal ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Tana Lin of the Western District of Washington has been made in the case of State of Washington v. U.S. Department of Transportation. This judgment challenges the previous administration’s attempt to stall the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, a $5 billion plan dedicated to establishing a reliable electric vehicle charging network across U.S. highways.
Read the full judgment here.
The court’s decision represents a comprehensive victory for the plaintiffs, allowing states to continue developing NEVI-funded charging stations. This ruling prevents the U.S. Department of Transportation from retracting funds or obstructing the project, aligning with the goals of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Seventeen states, spearheaded by Washington, Colorado, and California, initiated the lawsuit. Environmental and advocacy groups such as the Sierra Club, NRDC, Climate Solutions, and others joined as plaintiff-intervenors to advocate for those affected by the funding freeze, particularly in states not originally involved in the lawsuit.
Read more on their involvement.
Legal representation for the Sierra Club and NRDC comes from their in-house teams, while Earthjustice represents Climate Solutions. The Southern Environmental Law Center provides legal support for other involved organizations.
This judicial relief ensures the continuation of NEVI projects, enhancing public life by facilitating long-distance EV travel, lowering driving costs, and reducing pollution in various communities.
Responses from Organizations
“We’re glad to see the Court put an end to the chaos and uncertainty created by the Trump administration’s unlawful actions,” commented Sierra Club Senior Attorney Joe Halso. “Today’s decision delivers that result.”
Read his full remarks.
Joel Levin, Executive Director of Plug In America, stated, “The NEVI program is an essential element in the national transition to electric vehicles. We’re pleased that the Judge’s final decision creates some certainty at last.”
Jan Hasselman of Earthjustice expressed gratitude for the court halting the obstruction of Congress’s funding efforts, stating, “These NEVI funds are critical for building out a brighter future across the states.”
Tom Zimpleman from NRDC emphasized the program’s importance, saying, “Today’s decision is great news for the states relying on these funds, and the drivers who need access to these chargers.”
Megan Kimball from the Southern Environmental Law Center remarked on the significance for nationwide EV charging, stating, “NEVI-funded stations will make long trips and everyday travel safer and more reliable.”
Meredith Connolly, Director of Strategy and Policy with Climate Solutions, said, “This decision means commuters, rural folks, and road trippers can now get reliable and fast EV charging every 50 miles.”
Ayo Wilson of the West End Revitalization Association asserted, “The court’s decision is a victory for environmental justice… We thank the court for ending this unlawful attack.”
Stan Cross from the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy highlighted the benefits for the Southeastern region, noting, “Access to reliable charging infrastructure removes a key barrier to EV ownership.”
Jeff Robbins of CleanAIRE NC celebrated the ruling, declaring, “NEVI-funded charging is critical for ensuring that the transition to clean transportation reaches underserved and historically left-behind communities.”
Background
In June, Judge Lin had issued a preliminary injunction lifting the freeze on $1 billion in NEVI funds for 14 states. Despite this, the Trump administration persisted in creating hurdles for accessing EV charging infrastructure funds, such as the $2.5B Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program. The Sierra Club, NRDC, and Climate Solutions have also contested these obstacles.
Learn more about ongoing challenges.
Original Story at www.selc.org