Attorney General Kris Mayes has taken a significant step against the Trump administration's efforts to put the brakes on electric vehicle infrastructure funding. In a move that speaks to the urgency of climate action and technological progress, Mayes joined forces with attorneys general from 16 other states, challenging a recent executive order that threatens to strip away billions in federal funding intended for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
Despite Congress green-lighting the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in 2022, an order signed by President Trump on January 20 mandated a freeze on funding disbursal. Arizona, a state positioned to receive $48 million from these funds, finds itself on the verge of losing out on this investment. "Arizona will lose nearly $50 million in critical funding unless the courts block yet another illegal action by the Trump administration," Mayes stated, as obtained by the Arizona Attorney General's office. "I will not stop fighting to protect Arizona from the flood of illegal and unconstitutional actions by President Trump."
In early February, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) notified states that all previously approved plans to implement the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI), under IIJA's aegis, were being revoked. This abrupt policy reversal has not only stalled the momentum for EV expansion but also spurred the multi-state lawsuit aimed at defending the stipulations of bipartisan legislation and the imperative for sustainable infrastructure.
Joined by California, Colorado, Delaware, and a host of other states spanning from Hawai’i to Vermont, this coalition reflects a broader resolve to uphold the original legislative intent of the IIJA. The lawsuit seeks a court order against the FHWA's unexpected pivot and demands the restoration of the promised EV infrastructure funding. Details of the complaint and proposed preliminary injunction are available through the press release, signaling a critical moment for the rule of law and environmental stewardship.
