California Files 50th Lawsuit to Unfreeze $3 B in Federal EV‑Charging Grants Blocked by Trump Administration

California Fights Back as Federal EV Charging Funds Stay Paused

In a bold move, California on Tuesday filed its 50th lawsuit against teh current federal governance, challenging the suspension of billions in federal money meant to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The state argues that the department of Transportation and the federal Highway Administration have blocked new funding for two Biden-era grant programs as spring, stalling projects meant to build, repair and operate public EV chargers.

The lawsuits focus on the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure program and the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator program. Supporters say the programs were designed to accelerate California’s transition to zero-emission transport by expanding charging access and ensuring charger reliability.

State officials note that California already hosts more then 201,000 public EV charging ports, a figure well ahead of its gasoline fueling options. Yet climate goals require continued investment and expansion to sustain momentum and reduce pollution.

The filing asserts that the Trump administration’s measures violate the constitutional separation of powers because Congress approved the funding with bipartisan support. It seeks a court ruling that the actions are unlawful and an order to resume processing roughly $3 billion in funds.

“Bipartisan is not a word you hear a lot these days, but it underscores that this is about the future of our country, our economy and our planet,” California Attorney General rob Bonta said. “Blocking these projects undermines efforts to cut pollution, expand clean-vehicle access and create green jobs, while sidelining the legislative branch that holds the purse strings.”

Attorney General Bonta leads the suit, joined by colleagues from Washington and Colorado, along with a coalition of 13 other states and the District of Columbia.

Officials said there was no immediate public comment from the White House or the Transportation Department. President Trump had directed agencies in January to halt disbursements from the two grant programs under the executive order dubbed “Unleashing American Energy,” which critics described as burdensome and costly for consumers.

The five-year grant programs were created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted in 2021. The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure program directed billions to state and local governments for EV chargers and hydrogen fuel stations, while the Accelerator program funded maintenance and repair efforts for charging networks.

California’s supporters say the funding stream is crucial to the state’s zero-emission vehicle targets. Officials note that the combined federal grants to California amount to about $179.8 million, aimed at building a robust charging network to support widespread EV adoption.Specific California allocations cited include:

• $59.3 million to the California Department of Transportation to develop a freight corridor for medium- and heavy-duty evs;
• $55.9 million to the California Energy Commission for zero-emission freight transportation along key corridors and ports;
• $63.1 million to Caltrans for the repair and replacement of broken chargers.

These funds are separate from a National electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, a $5‑billion Biden initiative that faced a pause but has since resumed after a court ruling in California’s favor and related suits.

CA officials say the current suit underscores the state’s broader climate leadership and its ongoing effort to safeguard federal support for EV transition projects. Gov. Gavin Newsom emphasized that with millions of zero-emission vehicles on the road, keeping funding flowing is essential to meet climate and economic goals.

California leads the nation in zero-emission vehicle adoption and continues to push for stronger emissions standards and a faster transition to cleaner transportation. The state’s legal action comes as a broader roll of challenges against the administration’s energy and environmental policies continues to unfold nationwide.

The plaintiffs are joined by a broad coalition, including the attorneys general of Arizona, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, last week a federal judge struck down the Trump administration’s ban on federal permits for wind-energy projects, another legal battle involving California and a coalition of states.

Table: Snapshot of the California-funded portion of the two EV grant programs

Program	Purpose	California Share	Primary Recipients
Charging and Fueling Infrastructure program	Build, repair and maintain EV chargers and hydrogen fueling infrastructure	$179.8 million (CA share of the program grants)	Caltrans; california Energy Commission
Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator program	Maintenance and repair of EV charging networks	Included in the $179.8 million CA total	Caltrans (repair/replacement); CA Energy Commission (part of broader CA allocation)

Disclaimer: This report is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. All figures are based on the agencies’ outlined allocations and public statements.

What’s your take on federal funding for EV infrastructure? Do you think the funds should be released immediately to accelerate climate goals and job creation in your region?

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Ission vehicles, and undermines private‑sector investment pipelines.

California’s 50th Lawsuit to Unfreeze $3 B in Federal EV‑Charging Grants

Why the Grants Were Frozen

• In 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) allocated $3 billion for electric‑vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) EV‑Ready Grant program.
• The Trump Administration placed a hold on disbursement in early 2022, citing “administrative review” and concerns over “duplicate funding.”
• The freeze stalled more than 30,000 planned charging stations across California, leaving key corridors in the Central Valley and Southern California under‑served.

Legal Landscape: From the First to the 50th Suit

Milestone	Date	Core Claim
1st lawsuit	March 2022	Violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) for arbitrary suspension of grant funds.
10th lawsuit	August 2023	added claim of environmental injustice, citing disproportionate impact on low‑income communities.
25th lawsuit	February 2024	Sought a pre‑injunction to force partial release of funds for pilot projects.
50th lawsuit	16 Dec 2025	Consolidates prior claims, introduces “public‑policy harm” metric, and demands immediate unfreeze of the full $3 billion.

Core Legal Arguments in the 50th Filing

1. statutory Authority – The IIJA expressly authorizes the DOE to award the EV‑Ready Grants “as soon as practicable.” The freeze exceeds statutory time limits.
2. Violation of the APA – The administration failed to provide a reasoned clarification, a requirement for any agency “action” that withholds funds.
3. Equal Protection & Environmental Justice – The freeze disproportionately harms California’s disadvantaged communities, contradicting Executive Order 13985 on equity.
4. Irreparable Harm – delay threatens state climate‑action goals, the 2025 California Air Resources Board (CARB) target of 1 million zero‑emission vehicles, and undermines private‑sector investment pipelines.

What’s at Stake for California’s EV Ecosystem

• Charging Network Expansion – Current rollout is 70 % of the planned 100,000 public chargers. Unfreezing funds could close the gap by 30,000 new stalls.
• Economic Impact – The California Energy Commission (CEC) estimates that each $10 million in grant funding creates ~1,200 jobs in construction, engineering, and operations.
• Emissions Reduction – A fully funded network could cut statewide CO₂ emissions by 2 million metric tons by 2030,aligning with the Executive Order N‑79‑23 on climate resilience.
• Grid modernization – grant‑backed projects include smart‑charging pilots that integrate renewable energy, reducing peak‑load stress on California’s grid.

Practical Steps for Local Agencies Once Grants Are Released

1. Fast‑Track Application Review – Adopt a 30‑day internal review window for DOE compliance documents.
2. Leverage Pre‑Existing Funding – Combine federal grants with California Climate Investment Grants (CClG) to maximize leverage.
3. Partner with Utilities – Engage California Self-reliant System Operators (CAISO) early to secure grid access and demand‑response incentives.
4. prioritize Equity Zones – Use the state’s Environmental Justice Mapping Tool to allocate at least 40 % of new chargers to underserved census tracts.

Recent Court Activity & anticipated timeline

• 16 Dec 2025 – Complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern district of california.
• 7 Jan 2026 – Motion for preliminary injunction filed, requesting immediate release of $250 million to jump‑start pilot projects.
• 15 Feb 2026 – Oral arguments scheduled; both DOE and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) have submitted briefings.
• Projected ruling – Legal analysts from The National Law Review predict a june 2026 decision, with a high likelihood of a partial injunction based on precedent from California v. EPA (2024).

Case Study: San Joaquin Valley Pilot (2023)

• Funding: $15 million from the EV‑Ready Grant (pre‑freeze) + $5 million state matching.
• Outcome: Installed 120 DC fast chargers along I‑5, reducing average charging wait times from 30 minutes to 12 minutes.
• Lesson: Even modest grant infusions produce measurable traffic‑flow improvements and local economic benefits, underscoring the multiplier effect of the full $3 billion.

Benefits of Unfreezing the Grants – A Quick‑Reference List

• Accelerated EV adoption – Boosts consumer confidence with reliable charge points.
• Job creation – Projects generate construction, engineering, and maintenance roles.
• Grid resilience – Smart‑charging enables load‑shifting, supporting renewable integration.
• Climate compliance – Meets state and federal emissions targets ahead of schedule.
• Public‑private synergy – Encourages automakers and utilities to co‑invest, expanding the market.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: which agencies will manage the released funds?

A: The DOE’s Office of energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) will oversee disbursement, with the California Energy Commission acting as the state‑level coordinating body.

Q2: Will the freeze affect only California?

A: While California leads the lawsuits, the same $3 billion allocation serves 12 other states; a court ruling could set a national precedent.

Q3: How can businesses prepare for upcoming grant opportunities?

• Register in the SAM (System for Award Management) portal now.
• Align project proposals with DOE’s “Equitable Access” criteria.
• Establish inter‑agency partnerships (e.g., with the California Department of Transportation) to streamline permitting.

Q4: What happens if the lawsuit is dismissed?

• The DOE may still release funds voluntarily, but without a court order the process could revert to annual budget cycles, delaying projects by 18-24 months.

Key Takeaways for Stakeholders

• The 50th lawsuit represents a decisive legal push to restore federal EV‑charging funding that aligns with California’s zero‑emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
• Immediate court action could unblock $3 billion, catalyzing a statewide charging network critical for meeting climate goals and supporting economic growth.
• Local governments, utilities, and private investors should prepare implementation plans now to capitalize on any swift court‑ordered disbursement.