A new federal order to freeze Biden-era programs and build a national network of electric vehicle charging stations disrupted states that were allocated billions of dollars for the program.
In an interview Friday, some state officials said they have stopped working at the charging station as a result of a Trump administration memo. Others said they were going to continue.
In Ohio, where Republican Gov. Mike DeWine welcomed federal funds to build 19 EV charging stations, Breanna Badanes, a spokesman for the state Department of Transport, said, “Even if I say I don’t know.” It’s safe.” Whether the nation will build more.
“These stations will stay up and running, but as long as we’re coming next, we’re on the same boat as everyone else and trying to figure it out,” she said.
A February 6 memo signed by U.S. Department of Transport Associate Administrator Emily Biondi said it was suspended from approval of the state’s electric vehicle infrastructure deployment plan. This memo has picked out the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, or Nevi, programs that were approved under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act of 2021.
The national network of fast charging stations was part of President Joseph R. Biden’s efforts to combat climate change by accelerating the nation’s transition to electric vehicles.
Under the program, the state was to receive $5 billion by 2030 to build 500,000 charging stations. To date, approximately $3.3 billion has been allocated to the states. Of that, $5111 million has been awarded on the contract, but only $510 million has been spent, according to Nick Nigro, founder of research firm Atlas Public Policy.
A spokeswoman for the transport department was asked to clarify whether the freeze was applied to money that was assigned but not awarded by the state but not awarded by the state. Existing obligations will continue to be maintained to avoid disrupting current financial commitments. ”
The memo appears to coincide with President Trump’s opposition to federal support for electric vehicles. He has pledged to cancel pollution restrictions on cars designed to increase sales of zero-emission vehicles, and has pledged to end federal tax credits of up to $7,500 for electric vehicle buyers.
But “it looks like different people are reading it differently,” said Jim Timon, executive director of the American State Highway Association.
Some state officials said they believe the administration is planning to pull back unadulterated money already officially allocated to the state. 100 years,” Timon said.
“We’re looking forward to seeing you in the process of getting things done,” said Patrick Murphy, policy director for the Vermont Department of Transportation. In December, the state awarded 11 new projects that added 60 charging ports statewide. Murphy said those projects will not advance funding from federal programs until the state receives further guidance from the transportation sector.
Some state officials said the federal directives would not change plans significantly.
In a statement, the Maryland Department of Transport said it was “demanded Nevi financing,” and “we are waiting for new guidance from the US DOT to promote future funding rounds for this Congressional Accreditation Program.” “It’s,” he added. Maryland is committed to moving forward with its strategy to provide clean car charging infrastructure for drivers across the state. ”
Tennessee Department of Transport officials said the state will continue to finalise contracts with businesses during the suspension.
“There is still coordination and planning activities that the department is committed to being part of our state’s large transportation and energy programs,” department spokeswoman Beth Emmons said in a statement. Tennessee has selected 30 sites, but has yet to open a charging station with federal funds.
If plans for federally funded charging stations are cancelled, it could usually cause harm to businesses in the local and industrial areas alongside Trump. One of the state’s biggest recipients of EV charging is an Oklahoma-based truck stop company with over 600 petrol stations and diesel stations and convenience stores. Several states used Nevi’s funds to sign contracts with the company to build EV charging stations.
In a statement, Kim Okafor, general manager of Love’s Zero Emissions Program, said: Love’s will continue to monitor relevant executive orders and subsequent changes to the law, determining the next step. ”
Loren McDonald, chief analyst at EV analytics firm Paren, said that suspending the program is “a huge negative for the industry, given that the charging ports of federal programs constitute a relatively small share of the total number of charges.” “It will not have an impact on you.” A station built over the past year.
He said the suspension of the program is most felt in rural areas where there is less reason to build chargers without federal subsidies. “The overall role and value of the program places these charging stations in rural New York or Alabama,” McDonald said.
