The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, established by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with a budget of $5 billion, faced a suspension order from President Donald Trump in January 2025. Despite this, states continued to develop charging infrastructure, leading to a lawsuit filed on August 1, 2025, against Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.
On August 11, 2025, the Department of Transportation issued revised guidance for the NEVI program. However, reports indicate that staffing cuts at the Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy have hindered progress. Additionally, under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, $1 billion in NEVI funds were reallocated to other highway programs.
Despite these challenges, individual states continue to implement the program. On September 14, 2026, the North Carolina Department of Transportation announced new awards, allocating $14.4 million from its total $109 million share to add seven new charging locations. The state plans to use these funds over a three-year period to expand coverage to rural areas.
In other regions, infrastructure expansion persists independently of federal shifts. New York City is currently adding 600 curbside charging stations to its existing network of 88 units. This expansion supports a municipal mandate requiring vehicles licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission to be zero-emission or wheelchair-accessible.
