Federal Judge Restores $73 Million in EV Charging Funds to New Jersey

A U.S. District Court has ruled that the Trump Administration unlawfully withheld Congressionally-mandated funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, restoring $73 million in federal aid to New Jersey. The decision marks a significant legal victory for a 17-state coalition led in part by Acting New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport.

The ruling, issued late last week, resolves a lawsuit filed in May 2025 challenging the federal government's suspension of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI). That program, created under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), designated $5 billion nationwide to expand EV charging infrastructure. New Jersey’s approved share of that funding was designated to support the construction of publicly accessible charging stations throughout the state.

The legal challenge arose after President Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, directing federal agencies to pause disbursements under both the IIJA and the Inflation Reduction Act. Following the order, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) informed states that previously approved NEVI plans were being revoked—despite Congress having mandated and appropriated funds for the program.

In its final ruling, the court found that the federal government’s actions violated both the separation of powers and the Administrative Procedure Act. The judgment restores New Jersey’s previously approved NEVI plan to its status prior to the February 6, 2025, revocation and bars the Trump Administration from further obstructing the program.

The court acknowledged that states had already “dedicated substantial time, resources, and work” to developing EV infrastructure plans that were subsequently disrupted by the policy change.

“This win puts New Jersey back on track for $73 million in funding unlawfully stripped away through the Trump Administration’s illegal actions,” said Acting Attorney General Davenport. “New Jerseyans want sustainable transportation options, and my office will always fight on behalf of hard-working commuters, residents, and the State’s economy when the federal government oversteps its authority.”

New Jersey had already awarded a contract in 2024 for the installation of EV charging stations under the NEVI program before the federal suspension took effect.

The lawsuit was brought jointly by attorneys general from 17 jurisdictions, including Washington, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‘i, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and Vermont.

The court's decision marks the conclusion of a legal dispute that began with a preliminary injunction in June 2025 and ends with a full reinstatement of the state-level deployment plans. The restored funding is expected to advance the state’s goals for a more sustainable transportation network and help reduce long-term costs for commuters.

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