Federal Judge Unblocks $5 Billion for EV Infrastructure Expansion
In a decisive legal move, a federal judge in Washington has mandated the release of $5 billion earmarked for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. This funding, initially frozen earlier this year, is set to bolster electric vehicle (EV) charging networks across the United States.
Despite the existing EV infrastructure being adequate for long-distance travel, there remain several routes needing coverage. The influx of EVs on the road highlights the demand for more comprehensive charging networks.
NEVI, a component of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) passed in 2021 under President Biden, allocated $5 billion to states for expanding EV charging facilities. Since the Act’s inception, states have been actively planning and implementing projects with this funding, with a number of charging stations already operational.
The landscape of charging infrastructure has been diverse, with the Tesla Supercharger network being lauded as the gold standard but initially limited to Tesla vehicles. In contrast, other networks have catered to EVs using the CCS protocol. NEVI’s stipulation that federal funds support multi-vehicle networks led Tesla to introduce the North American Charging Standard (NACS), now widely adopted and recognized as an official standard.
The transition to NACS is ongoing, promising a resolution to many existing charging issues, largely thanks to the guidelines set by NEVI.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration halted NEVI’s funds distribution, prompting a lawsuit by 17 states and various nonprofits. This legal action was spearheaded by California, Colorado, and Washington, with support from other states including Arizona, Delaware, and New York.
This week, the federal court ruled against the freeze, ordering the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to release funds to 14 states. Minnesota, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. were excluded, lacking sufficient evidence of immediate harm, but are expected to adjust their applications to access future funding.
The court’s directive is set to take effect on July 2, signaling a significant victory for the states involved and the broader push for robust EV infrastructure nationwide.
Original Story at electrek.co