Congress Must Protect Funding for EV Charging Across the Country

Washington, D.C. -Today, the Senate and House of Representatives released a series of appropriation bills. The draft fiscal year 2026 transportation billwould strip states of more than $875 million in funds already apportioned to all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico to build essential EV charging infrastructure along the nation's highways under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Charging (NEVI) Formula program.

This proposal would sabotage states' efforts to resume NEVI buildout after the Trump administration unlawfully froze the program in February 2025. Although the U.S. Department of Transportation later lifted the freeze following an adverse court ruling, it continued to impede implementation by imposing unnecessary planning requirementsand blocking some states' access to funds they are legally entitled to use.

Despite those hurdles, every state is moving forward. All states submitted new implementation plans within just 30 days and have resumed NEVI deployment. Since the freeze was lifted in August, states have obligated $895 million in NEVI funds to new projects.

In response to the bills, Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Director Katherine García released the following statement:

"Americans shouldn't be punished for the Trump administration's attempts to rob states of reliable electric vehicle charging that will benefit our wallets, air, and climate. Following Trump's unlawful funding freeze, we have seen the NEVI program restart successfully and overwhelming support from every state. We urge Members of Congress to leave this funding alone. States must be able to access the full amount they were promised and deliver real results for communities."

More Background:

NEVI is delivering real results. In total, 48 states have committed over $1.4 billion to a reliable, nationwide EV charging network that lowers driving costs and expands access to electric vehicles across the country.

Before the program was frozen, 39 states had issued solicitations, awards, or contracts, with $526 million committed to charging projects. After the freeze was lifted and states regained access to funds following submission of new (and unnecessary) plans, states have been actively advancing projects: Texas is restarting station construction; Alabama just closed a new application round; Indiana is resuming contracting; and Georgia is resuming procurement.

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit https://www.sierraclub.org.