• April 18th, 2025
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Reported by Smart Cities Dive/Utility Dive in February, the Trump administration suspended the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program—informing state transportation directors in a memo that "no new obligations may occur" until guidance is updated. For background, NEVI was included in the bipartisan infrastructure law passed by Congress in 2021 and represents one of the Biden administration's most robust efforts to expand electric vehicle adoption in the U.S. The program required states to develop EV charging infrastructure plans in order to access funds, but as the Trump administration took office, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has now suspended approval of those plans.

Some House members detailed their opposition to the electric vehicle funding freeze in a letter sent to the DOT secretary on February 11 citing that "As members of Congress, we fiercely defend investments enacted on a bipartisan basis by elected officials from across the country."

According to managing director at Advanced Energy United, Ryan Gallentine, most NEVI funds have already been awarded to state transportation departments, nonetheless, the FHWA's announcement "creates great uncertainty for the billions of dollars states and private companies are investing."

In a memo from Emily Biondi, associate administrator of FWHA's Office of Planning, Environment and Realty, "The new leadership of the Department of Transportation has decided to review the policies underlying the implementation of the NEVI Formula Program. Accordingly, the current NEVI Formula Program Guidance dated June 11, 2024, and all prior versions of this guidance are rescinded." The memo also clarifies that "until new guidance is issued, reimbursement of existing obligations will be allowed in order to not disrupt current financial commitments." Politico also reported that the FWHA also removed some web pages regarding the $2.5 billion Charging and Fueling Infrastructure grant program.

The new administration has been vocal in its opposition to utilizing public funding to support EV adoption, but some observers suggest it will take more than a memo to end the infrastructure program. "Most of the unawarded money is sitting in state Department of Transportation bank accounts ready to be spent," says Gallentine. "States are under no obligation to stop these projects based solely on this announcement. We call on state DOTs and program administrators to continue executing this program until new guidance is finalized."

For background, the previous administration set a goal for half of all new passenger vehicle sales in the United States to be electric by 2030. EVs accounted for almost 9% of U.S. light-duty vehicle sales in Q3 2024 according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. And according to Charge Ahead Partnership spokesman Ryan McKinnon, citing data from EVAdoption, more than three dozen states have already announced NEVI awards totaling more than $3.2 billion.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provides states with $7.5 billion to help make EV charging more accessible to all Americans for local and long-distance trips. This $7.5 billion comprises the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program and the $2.5 billion Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program. Over the five years of the NEVI Formula Program, Pennsylvania will receive $171.5 million in dedicated formula funding. The initial focus of this funding is for states to strategically deploy Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) stations along their designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC), to help build out the national EV AFC network.

Once a state's AFC network is "fully built out" according to FHWA criteria—Nevi-compliant DCFC stations that are both: a) No more than 50 miles apart along each AFC; and b) No more than 1 mile from the nearest AFC exit; then that state may use NEVI Formula Program funds for EV charging infrastructure on any public road or other publicly accessible location. An updated list of Active PennDOT NEVI Projects as of April 17, 2025, are listed on the pa.gov website.

In Allegheny County that includes Round 1 Active Projects: $367k for a charging station at the PA Turnpike service plaza in Verona (Mile 49), $543k for a charging station at Penn Place Shopping Plaza in Monroeville (I-376 Exit 84A/B), $684k for a charging station at the Sheetz in Sewickley (I-79 Exit 68), and $384k for a charging station at the Comfort Suites in Coraopolis (I-376 Exit 58).

Round 1A Active Projects: $768k for a charging station at Sheetz in Pittsburgh (I-76 Exit 48), and Round 1B Active Projects: $601k for a charging station at Giant Eagle in Pittsburgh (I-376 Exit 74).

Read more about Pennsylvania's NEVI Plan goals and formal Plans here including:

• Construct a consistent, robust charging network to enhance availability when and where people need to charge
• Fund infrastructure that is safe and convenient for travelers
• Ensure EV infrastructure funding is distributed and applied in an equitable manner and provides benefits to all populations including under-served and rural communities
• Complement the NEVI Formula Program with proper training and diversity of the workforce to support economic growth, equity, and safety
• Develop a charging network to support freight and goods movement through the Commonwealth
• Provide environmental benefits that can be shared by all Pennsylvania communities

Source: Utility Dive