MADISON (WKOW) – The Trump administration effectively froze funding for a program incentivizing the construction of electric vehicle charging stations across the country, and left questions about how the pause would affect Wisconsin’s EV projects and their connected jobs.
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Transportation released a memo informing states that it was conducting a review of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program while it undertook a review. The pause effectively freezes funding for NEVI grant projects.
The projects were awarded by state agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
“The new leadership of the Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) has decided to review the policies underlying the implementation of the NEVI Formula Program,” the memo said. “Accordingly, the current NEVI Formula Program Guidance dated June 11, 2024, and all prior versions of this guidance are rescinded.”
In addition to pausing the funding, U.S. DOT also suspended the approval “of all State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment plans for all fiscal years.” The plans are the means by which states released funding to businesses and other organizations to construct EV chargers.
Wisconsin’s DOT had approved more than $23 million in NEVI grants to 53 projects spread throughout the state.
27 News asked the state DOT for an interview or a statement updating on the status of Wisconsin’s efforts to fund EV chargers, in light of the Trump administration’s decision. The agency did not respond.
NEVI was funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by former President Joe Biden.
Environmental activists raised concerns about the climate impacts of slowing the rollout of a national electric vehicle charging network. Clean Wisconsin Communications Director Amy Barrilleaux drew attention to the jobs potentially put at risk by the decision.
She pointed to Ingeteam, a manufacturer that launched an expansion of its Milwaukee factory to meet increased demand for electric vehicle charging stations.
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