A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to lift its freeze on billions in federal funds for electric vehicle charging, reviving a key Biden-era program under a new set of rules that give states far more control. The decision could speed up the buildout of highway chargers nationwide—but it also strips away labor and equity requirements that once defined the initiative, reports The Washington Post.

Court Ruling Forces Program Restart

In June, a federal judge ruled that Trump administration officials had no authority to withhold the funds, echoing a congressional watchdog’s earlier findings. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy confirmed the program’s relaunch, noting it would proceed “reluctantly” with new guidance for state agencies.

“If Congress is requiring the federal government to support charging stations, let’s cut the waste and do it right,” Duffy said. “While I don’t agree with subsidizing green energy, we will respect Congress’s will and make sure this program uses federal resources efficiently.”

The updated rules remove requirements for union labor standards, minority-owned contractors, and targeted investments in disadvantaged communities. They also grant states greater latitude to reallocate funds once their core highway-charger networks are complete.

Court Forces Trump Administration To Unlock Billions For Ev Charging — But States Now Hold The Power

Program Origins and Performance

Launched in 2021 as part of a $5 billion infrastructure investment, the program was intended to accelerate the buildout of a national charging network. However, it has so far funded fewer than 400 charging ports and faced criticism as a “classic example of inefficient government spending.” EV adoption growth has slowed, with battery-powered models making up about 10% of new vehicle sales, but tens of millions of such vehicles remain on U.S. roads in need of charging access.

Tesla, which operates the nation’s largest fast-charging network, has continued expanding access to non-Tesla EVs. Market analysis from Paren forecasts 16,700 new high-speed charging ports will come online in 2025, a 19% increase over last year. Federal funds, even without the freeze, were expected to account for just 2–3% of that growth—primarily filling gaps in rural and long-distance travel corridors.

Impact on States and Deployment Timelines

State agencies had begun ramping up charger installations before the February funding halt, with data from Atlas Public Policy showing a surge in contract awards in late 2024. That momentum stalled after the freeze. The new guidance aims to accelerate deployments by reducing federal oversight, but states must now resubmit spending plans within 30 days for review.

Advocates caution that the program has not yet fully restarted.

“We’re not letting up until the freeze is fully lifted and every dollar is available to the states,” said Joe Halso, attorney at the Sierra Club.

The revived policy could speed charger availability in underserved areas, particularly along interstate highways in rural states. Yet it also signals a shift away from Biden’s original equity-focused framework toward a leaner, state-directed model, reflecting the Trump administration’s broader approach to federal infrastructure spending.