Kentucky Joins Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration’s Move To Freeze Program Funds Building EV Charging Stations

Lawsuit aims to restore funding through federal program creating a nationwide network

FRANKFORT, Ky.  – Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Kentucky is joining 19 other states and the District of Columbia to challenge the Trump Administration over its unlawful decision to freeze funding for a key program helping to build out a nationwide network of EV charging stations. More than $32 million was appropriated to Kentucky through the program.

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, provides states with funding that covers up to 80% of cost to build, own and operate EV fast charging stations.

“Electric and hybrid vehicles are no longer the technology of the future. They’re here now, and this technology is only becoming more important to our families and businesses,” Gov. Beshear said. “The NEVI program provides critical funding that is helping every state, including Kentucky, build out an EV charging network that everyone can trust and rely upon. Halting the funding sets us all back, and it’s simply wrong.”

According to the lawsuit, FHWA committed about $69.5 million to Kentucky through a funding formula for federal fiscal year 2022 through 2025. More than $32 million of apportioned NEVI program funding is currently unavailable for Kentucky to use on its approved projects.

Gov. Beshear joined the lawsuit in his official capacity as Governor, along with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Washington, Colorado, California, Arizona, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin.

A copy of the lawsuit is available here