New York Attorney General Letitia James has secured a court order to reinstate funding for electric vehicle infrastructure that was previously frozen by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT). On May 7, Attorney General James, alongside 16 other attorneys general, filed a lawsuit against the DOT. The suit challenged the cancellation of crucial funding allocated by Congress for state electric vehicle charging networks.
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington has granted a preliminary injunction in favor of the coalition, reinstating federal funds intended to reduce pollution and support electric vehicle users. “Strong support for electric vehicle infrastructure is critical to tackling pollution and the climate crisis,” stated Attorney General James. She emphasized that this decision ensures states receive necessary funding to back electric vehicles.
Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Congress had appropriated $5 billion through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program for state electric vehicle charging plans. The preliminary injunction restores approximately $120 million in NEVI funds specifically for New York, which were frozen under the Trump Administration. This funding has already facilitated the installation of 11 charging stations across New York and will continue to aid developments in New York City, Hudson Valley, and Long Island.
Attorney General James and her coalition argued that withholding these funds was both illegal and unconstitutional. They noted that Congress had explicitly allocated funds for the NEVI program and criticized FHWA’s lack of justification for revoking its approval of state plans. The injunction now prevents any further withholding of NEVI funds from approved state plans.
Joining Attorney General James in this legal action are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.
