In a decisive move for the future of electric vehicles and their necessary infrastructure, Attorney General Kris Mayes along with a coalition from 13 other states have triumphed in court against the Trump administration. A recent court order mandates the restoration of roughly $1 billion in withheld EV charging infrastructure funds that had been previously authorized for these states by Congress. U.S. District Court Judge Tana Lin ruled in favor of the states, as reported by the Arizona Attorney General's Office, in what is seen as a significant win for those advocating for clean energy and modernized transit options.
This judicial block comes after the Trump administration imposed a pause on the disbursement of all funds appropriated under key acts, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act. Despite, a congressional mandate to fund the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program the Federal Highway Administration informed states in February that it was revoking approvals for state plans and withholding the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funds. The response from Mayes and fellow attorneys general was swift, filing a lawsuit claiming the administration's actions were unconstitutional overreach, according to the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
Invoking the inherent tension between branches of government, Judge Lin underscored the case's broader implications on power dynamics in the American political system. "The Executive Branch treads upon the will of the Legislative Branch, and when an administrative agency acts contrary to law, it is the Court’s responsibility to remediate the situation and restore the balance of power," Lin penned in her ruling. The court's decision has been stayed for seven days, allowing time for the defendants to consider an appeal, as per the details from the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
The preliminary injunction favors the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin. Three states, the District of Columbia, Minnesota, and Vermont were not included in Lin's order due to an absence of declarations regarding their plan approvals with the Federal Highway Administration. According to Judge Lin's order this case is not merely about ensuring the presence of electric vehicles charging stations but about upholding the foundational principles of separation of powers and accountability within the federal government, as stated by the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
