Republicans Set to Kill Giant EV Charging Program

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Following up on the counterproductive decision to pull the plug on the US EV tax credit, Republicans in Congress are now looking to kill the giant US EV charging program that was created by Democrats during the Biden administration.

Yes, this is the program Donald Trump tried to halt in early 2025 before a federal judge determined that was illegal. Projects connected to the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Charging (NEVI) Formula program are all across the country, but Republicans apparently want to bring them to a screeching halt.

“Today, the Senate and House of Representatives released a series of appropriation bills. The draft fiscal year 2026 transportation bill would strip away more than $875 million in funds for EV charging infrastructure, including roughly $500 million already apportioned to all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico to build essential EV charging infrastructure along the nation’s highways under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Charging (NEVI) Formula program,” the Sierra Club shares. “This proposal would sabotage states’ efforts to resume NEVI buildout after the Trump administration unlawfully froze the program in February 2025. Although the U.S. Department of Transportation later lifted the freeze following an adverse court ruling, it continued to impede implementation by imposing unnecessary planning requirements and blocking some states’ access to funds they are legally entitled to use.”

Yes, indeed, it seems the whole Republican Party in Congress and the White House is eager to kill projects that create tens of thousands of jobs and support a transition to clean electric transport. This is despite some of them cutting ribbons to open such projects and claiming responsibilities for ones in their districts. Is it to support the oil and gas industry a little while longer? Is it to get in line behind Donald Trump and his vendetta against cleantech? Who knows, but either way, it’s not good for the country.

“Despite those hurdles, every state is moving forward. All states submitted new implementation plans within just 30 days and have resumed NEVI deployment. Since the freeze was lifted in August, states have obligated $895 million in NEVI funds to new projects,” the Sierra Club adds. “NEVI is delivering real results. In total, 48 states have committed over $1.4 billion to a reliable, nationwide EV charging network that lowers driving costs and expands access to electric vehicles across the country.

“Before the program was frozen, 39 states had issued solicitations, awards, or contracts, with $526 million committed to charging projects. After the freeze was lifted and states regained access to funds following submission of new (and unnecessary) plans, states have been actively advancing projects: Texas is restarting station construction; Alabama just closed a new application round; Indiana is resuming contracting; and Georgia is resuming procurement.”

Apparently, the Republican Party mantra is that we can’t have good things. While China surges far ahead in the EV transition and reaps the rewards, the GOP is intent on slowing us down even further and trying to pretend we’re back in the 20th century. Whatever it takes to prolong the burning of fossil fuels. Why? Because that helps some of their billionaire and millionaire friends.

“Americans shouldn’t be punished for the Trump administration’s attempts to rob states of reliable electric vehicle charging that will benefit our wallets, air, and climate. Following Trump’s unlawful funding freeze, we have seen the NEVI program restart successfully and overwhelming support across states. We urge Members of Congress to leave this funding alone. States must be able to access the full amount they were promised and are relying on as they work to build essential infrastructure in our communities,” Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Director Katherine García declares. Ah, if only common sense like that would prevail.

One thing is clear: the Republican Party continues to be the party that is anti-progress, anti-cleantech, and anti-blue collar jobs.