Judge Rules Trump Administration Can’t Withhold EV Charger Funds

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to release withheld funds and approvals for state EV charging plans.

1 minute read

January 28, 2026, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


White electric car charging at a station in a parking lot with a yellow barn in background.

Sheila Fitzgerald / Shutterstock

A federal judge struck down the Trump administration’s decision to suspend a $5 billion federal grant program for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, reports Rachel Frazin in The Hill. “The ruling comes as lawmakers are considering legislation that would redirect nearly $900 million in federal EV charger funds.” 

The judge, Tana Lin, said the administration’s decision to revoke previously approved EV charger deployment plans and funding was “arbitrary and capricious” and did not follow proper procedure. The decision is a result of a lawsuit filed by 20 states and Washington, D.C.

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