James Slams DOT Over EV Funding Freeze

NEW YORK – The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) just got a legal beatdown courtesy of New York Attorney General Letitia James. A federal court has ordered the DOT to immediately restore crucial funding for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, money the agency illegally froze following a dubious executive order. This isn’t some environmental feel-good story; it’s a case of a federal agency attempting to rewrite the law and shortchanging states already approved for billions.

On May 7, Attorney General James, along with attorneys general from 16 other states, filed suit against the DOT. The charge? Canceling essential funding already allocated by Congress for the build-out of EV charging networks. The trigger? A January 29 executive order – a transparent attempt to dismantle federal support for electric vehicles by claiming a nonexistent “electric vehicle mandate.” The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), acting on that order, bypassed Congress and put a freeze on billions, effectively holding states hostage.

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington didn’t hesitate. They granted the coalition’s request for a preliminary injunction, forcing the DOT to reinstate the funds. This isn’t about saving the planet (though that’s a perk); it’s about upholding the rule of law and ensuring states get the money they were promised. “This administration cannot undermine the authority of Congress and the Constitution just because the president does not like a policy that was passed with bipartisan support,” James stated bluntly. “This decision will help ensure states get the funding they need to support electric vehicles.”

The money at stake is substantial. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) earmarked $5 billion for states via the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. The injunction restores approximately $120 million for New York, funds already put to work with the installation of 11 charging stations statewide. Expect to see more popping up in New York City, the Hudson Valley, and on Long Island. This wasn’t just theoretical money; it was actively building a necessary infrastructure.

The lawsuit argued, and the court agreed, that the DOT’s actions were illegal and unconstitutional. Congress explicitly appropriated the funds, and the FHWA offered no legitimate reason to reverse course on approved state plans. The injunction prevents the administration from playing politics with infrastructure funding. It’s a clear message: you can’t just decide you don’t like a law and simply ignore it.

Joining Attorney General James in this fight were the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. This wasn’t a solo act; it was a united front against federal overreach and a blatant disregard for the law. The DOT may appeal, but for now, the states – and the future of EV infrastructure – have won a significant victory.