Maryland Leads Coalition Suing Trump Administration Over Blocked EV Charging Funds

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, alongside a coalition of 17 other states, has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to halt funding for critical electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The legal action targets the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) refusal to approve new grants under two key programs established by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program and the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator. These programs are designed to promote the adoption of clean vehicles, reduce pollution, and stimulate job growth in the green energy sector.

The lawsuit, filed by Attorney General Brown and the coalition of states, asserts that the USDOT’s unexplained and undisclosed suspension of these funds violates fundamental principles of constitutional separation of powers and the Administrative Procedure Act. Federal agencies are mandated to implement laws passed by Congress, and the coalition argues that withholding congressionally appropriated funds for EV charging infrastructure amounts to an unlawful executive overreach. The complaint seeks a court declaration that the administration’s actions are illegal and asks for a permanent injunction to prevent further withholding of these crucial funds.

Maryland, in particular, stands to lose over $56 million in federal funding allocated for projects aimed at significantly expanding the state’s EV charging network. These initiatives include the installation of 91 new charging stations, the repair of 44 existing charging ports, and the development of truck charging depots along major freight corridors like I-81 and I-78. For instance, the Maryland Clean Energy Center had secured $15 million to deploy 58 community charging stations statewide. Despite meeting all federal requirements by June 2025, this funding remains frozen, leading to the expiration of site approvals and permits, and incurring mounting costs. Similarly, a $33.5 million award for 33 corridor chargers along Maryland highways and the Maryland Department of Transportation’s $4.4 million project to fix broken chargers are also on hold. These stalled projects are crucial for increasing charging accessibility for Maryland drivers, improving air quality in communities, creating green jobs, and facilitating the transition to cleaner transportation.

The IIJA, enacted by Congress in 2022, established these EV charging programs alongside the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. These programs are intended to operate over a five-year period, supporting the construction and maintenance of electric vehicle charging facilities. However, the USDOT and the Federal Highway Administration have reportedly refused to obligate any new funds under both the CFI and Accelerator programs since the spring of 2025, citing only “administrative review” without providing a timeline for resolution. The coalition of states contends that this indefinite hold prevents the realization of significant environmental and economic benefits.

The lawsuit is supported by Attorneys General from California, Colorado, Arizona, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, Washington, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

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