California Joins States to Sue Trump Administration Over EV Funding

News Summary

California, along with 15 other states, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to release billions for electric vehicle (EV) charger funding. Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the administration for withholding funds from a bipartisan infrastructure law. California expects around $300 million for EV development, vital for enhancing its infrastructure amid growing EV adoption. This marks California’s 19th legal action against the Trump administration, highlighting concerns over the federal government’s role in supporting innovative climate solutions and job creation.

California has joined forces with 15 other states to file a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, aiming to compel the release of billions of dollars intended for the construction of electric vehicle (EV) chargers as outlined in a bipartisan infrastructure law. This lawsuit comes as a response to the administration’s refusal to disburse funds allocated under a $1.2 trillion infrastructure initiative that was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021.

The announcement of this legal action was made by California Attorney General Rob Bonta during a press conference held at an EV charging station in Burlingame, where he criticized the Trump administration for what he termed unconstitutional actions. Bonta accused the administration of withholding funding which had been appropriated by Congress for programs that the administration opposes, specifically targeting resources necessary for enhancing the nation’s EV charging infrastructure.

Funding Timeline and State Implications

California anticipates receiving approximately $300 million specifically designated for EV charging station development from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, a component of Biden’s 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. However, the Trump administration has yet to release these crucial funds.

This lawsuit represents the 19th legal action that California has initiated against the Trump administration since he took office in January 2017. The legal arguments put forth in the suit claim that the Federal Highway Administration has failed in its legal responsibility to allocate funds that Congress has approved, thereby violating established law.

Governor’s Response and Broader Involvement

Governor Gavin Newsom has echoed concerns regarding the impact of withholding EV charger funding, arguing that such actions will negatively affect American innovation and job creation. The states involved in the lawsuit, besides California, include Washington, Colorado, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Vermont, along with the District of Columbia. This multi-state collaboration underscores the widespread concern regarding the future of EV infrastructure throughout the country.

Background and EV Infrastructure Growth

Trump’s administration has been notably opposed to electric vehicles and climate change initiatives, favoring fossil fuel growth instead. The lawsuit arrives at a time when California’s EV market has marked substantial progress, with approximately 1.3 million electric cars registered by September 2023, far exceeding registrations in states such as Florida and Texas. Significantly, the state has surpassed the number of EV charging stations compared to gasoline pumps, illustrating a committed shift toward sustainable transportation.

California officials have emphasized the necessity of federal investment to support the expansion of EV infrastructure, especially amidst competitive advancements by other countries like China and Norway in electric vehicle adoption. The state has put forth ambitious mandates, requiring that all new cars and passenger trucks sold in California be zero-emission by the year 2035. Analysts project that California will require around 1.2 million charging stations by 2030 to adequately meet this growing demand.

Legal and Environmental Consequences

The freezing of funds by the federal administration is viewed as a significant setback for California’s EV mandate and climate change efforts. Initial actions taken by the Trump administration, including an executive order to halt funding for programs such as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, have prompted this legal bid. The lawsuit aims to challenge such directives, asserting that they undermine provisions set by Congress relating to funding decisions and infringe upon the separation of powers outlined in the Constitution.

Statistics show that nearly two million zero-emission vehicles have been sold in California, accounting for one-third of all such sales in the United States. California officials and environmental advocates warn that the failure to expand the charging infrastructure may jeopardize the state’s ability to achieve its greenhouse gas reduction goals and fulfill its climate commitments.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Politico: How Texas Could Benefit From California’s EV Lawsuit
• New York Times: Electric Vehicle Charging Funding States Lawsuit
• Wikipedia: Electric Vehicle
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Electric Vehicle
• Barrons: California Leads Lawsuit Over Trump’s EV Charging Funding Change