Bloomberg (via Transport Topics) reports, USDOT has suspended the distribution of National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula (NEVI) Program funds to the states, “following through on one of President Donald Trump’s first directives to roll back U.S. subsidies for plug-in vehicles.” The action was revealed Friday when FHWA posted a February 6 memo to state DOT directors. FHWA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The memo’s author, longtime FHWA staffer Emily Biondi, stated, Trump administration officials have decided to review the program’s underlying policies and the guidance issued under the Biden administration. They plan to issue revised guidance that aligns with Trump administration policies in the spring. Until new guidance is forthcoming, FHWA “is also immediately suspending the approval of all State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment plans for all fiscal years. Therefore, effective immediately, no new obligations may occur under the NEVI Formula Program until the updated final NEVI Formula Program Guidance is issued and new State plans are submitted and approved.”
The Hill reports, “The suspension marks the latest Trump administration move to freeze funds already approved by Congress, which Democratic lawmakers have repeatedly pointed out is forbidden under the 1974 Impoundment Control Act.”