FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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BALTIMORE, MD – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a
lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from illegally terminating billions in congressionally
approved funding for electric vehicle infrastructure. Unless the courts check the president’s
overreach, Maryland stands to lose access to $49 million dollars in funding for electric vehicle
infrastructure .
“Charging stations and ports are critical to helping more families transition to cleaner vehicles
that reduce pollution and support our environmental goals,” said Attorney General Brown. “By
unlawfully withholding $49 million in approved funding, the Trump Administration is
undermining efforts to expand our state’s charging network, reduce emissions, and build a
healthier future for generations to come.”
“Maryland is committed to delivering its goal for its residents, businesses and tourists to have
access to a reliable and abundant electric vehicle charging network from Mountain Maryland to
the Eastern Shore,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “A key
element in achieving this goal is the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula
program established and funded by the U.S. Congress. The Maryland Department of
Transportation values the U.S. Department of Transportation’s intent to modernize and update
NEVI program guidance as soon as possible. However, the action taken to indefinitely pause the
NEVI program is harming current and future EV drivers in Maryland. We join with our fellow
Departments of Transportation in requesting immediate relief to access this previously approved
NEVI funding.”
In 2022, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or IIJA, also known as the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. One provision of the IIJA appropriated $5 billion for the National
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, or NEVI, to fill gaps in electric vehicle
charging infrastructure in the states.
On January 20, President Trump signed an executive order that mandated all federal agencies to
pause disbursement of funds related to the IIJA and the Inflation Reduction Act and specifically
targeted the NEVI program. Despite being tasked by Congress to fund NEVI, the Federal
Highway Administration notified states in early February that the agency was revoking all
previously approved plans to implement NEVI, a requirement for funding under IIJA.
FHWA’s actions put $49 million of NEVI program funds out of reach. That money was slated to
go towards building a comprehensive system of fast-chargers along the state’s major highway
network. Any excess funds would then be used to support the buildout of Level 2 chargers in
communities otherwise lacking access to such infrastructure. The State Highway Administration
estimates that withholding these funds will put 180 fast-charging ports and 1,611 additional
Level 2 charging ports at risk.
The lawsuit filed today by Attorney General Brown and 16 other attorneys general seeks a court
order against FHWA’s unlawful actions, and a restoration of the electric vehicle infrastructure
funding for the states.
In filing the lawsuit, Attorney General Brown is joined by the attorneys general of Arizona,
California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‛i, Illinois, Minnesota, New
Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, and Vermont
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