News Summary
California, along with 15 other states, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration to compel the release of billions intended for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Attorney General Rob Bonta announced this legal action, alleging the Federal Highway Administration’s refusal to allocate funds violates legal obligations. California, projected to receive around $300 million under the bipartisan infrastructure law, argues this lawsuit is necessary to support the state’s climate goals and EV market growth, and to counter the administration’s funding freezes affecting key infrastructure initiatives.
California has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration to compel the release of billions of dollars allocated for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure under the bipartisan infrastructure law enacted by President Biden. This lawsuit, involving 15 other states, challenges the administration’s refusal to distribute the necessary funds.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced this legal action during a news conference held at an EV charging station in Burlingame. The lawsuit argues that the Federal Highway Administration is neglecting its legal obligation to allocate funds approved by Congress, which violates established law. California is projected to receive approximately $300 million for EV charger construction from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, part of Biden’s 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The lawsuit represents the 19th legal action California has initiated against Trump’s federal government since he took office in January 2017. It highlights accusations that President Trump is engaging in unconstitutional actions by withholding funding for programs he opposes, particularly those related to EV charging infrastructure. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Trump’s decisions, asserting that they undermine American innovation and job creation.
Other states joining California in the lawsuit include Washington, Colorado, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. They argue that freezing the federal funds hinders the advancement of EV infrastructure essential for state climate goals.
As of September, California has seen a surge in the electric vehicle market, with around 1.3 million electric cars registered, far exceeding numbers in Florida and Texas. The state now boasts more EV charging stations than gasoline pumps, reflecting significant strides in EV adoption.
California officials insist that federal investment is crucial to support efforts to expand EV infrastructure, especially as global competitors such as China and Norway continue to make substantial gains in electric vehicle deployment. The state’s ambitious targets include a mandate that all new cars and passenger trucks sold must be zero-emission by 2035. It is estimated that California will require 1.2 million charging stations by 2030 to meet rising demand.
The lawsuit is positioned as a necessary response to the Trump administration’s previous measures, including an executive order issued at the beginning of his term that paused funding for initiatives like the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program. This federal action threatens to undermine California’s goals related to climate change and its EV mandate.
Recent statistics reveal that nearly two million zero-emission vehicles have been sold in California, constituting one-third of all such sales nationwide. Failure to expand the necessary infrastructure is viewed by state officials and environmental advocates as a potential setback to meeting greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
This lawsuit aims to reinforce Congress’s directives regarding funding allocation for critical infrastructure projects, asserting it as a check against executive overreach. California officials emphasize the importance of this funding for achieving the state’s climate objectives and supporting the expansion of the electric vehicle market.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Pleasanton Weekly: California Joins Lawsuit Against Feds Over EV Funding
- New York Times: States File Lawsuit Over EV Charging Funding
- Politico: Texas Benefits from California’s EV Lawsuit
- Wikipedia: Electric Vehicle
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Electric Vehicle
