The Future of the Federal EV Charger Program Is Uncertain: Was NEVI Starting to Deliver?

In a move that could stall America’s green energy transition, President Donald Trump’s Department of Transportation (DOT) has suspended the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. This $5 billion initiative aimed to expand EV charging stations nationwide, but the recent order halted funding and invalidated approved projects. The legality of this decision is still up for debate. However, before considering what’s next, it’s essential to assess whether NEVI had begun to make an impact.

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Tom Moloughney, joined by Paren’s Chief Technology Officer Bill Ferro, delved into the program's progress. Paren, a data analytics firm focused on EV charging, has monitored NEVI closely. Their findings reveal that while around 1,000 projects received federal grants, only 57 charging stations are currently operational. Ferro explains that individual states oversee these projects, yet most have limited experience managing state-funded charging networks.

Delays stemmed partly from the program’s regulatory framework. NEVI’s final rules weren’t published until February 2023, giving states a relatively short time to launch this unprecedented initiative. Without federal permitting reforms, navigating local regulations has proven slow and complicated.

Ohio exemplifies both the challenges and progress within the program. Leading the nation with 19 NEVI-funded stations, Ohio still took an average of 448 days to bring each site online—lengthy even for facilities with extensive amenities. Other states have shorter timelines but fewer stations, while some, like California, have none. Despite being the leader in EV adoption, California’s slow infrastructure development remains a barrier. Meanwhile, Florida has yet to open any NEVI stations, with political resistance contributing to the lack of progress.

While the slow rollout has drawn criticism, experts note that much of the foundational work is now complete. States have established partnerships with consultants and selected award recipients through competitive bidding. NEVI’s requirements for real-time availability and transparent pricing have also prompted charge-point operators to adapt their systems. As companies become more familiar with these standards, deployment should accelerate, potentially boosting local economies as travelers spend time near charging stations.

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The program’s future, however, remains uncertain. Of the 1,000 awarded grants, about 800 have progressed to the point where funds may be difficult to retract. Additionally, because NEVI was established through bipartisan legislation, the executive branch may lack the authority to fully dismantle it. Nonetheless, with Republican majorities in Congress showing little interest in contesting the suspension, the issue could be headed to the courts—a process that may take years.

In the end, NEVI’s story illustrates the complexities of government-led infrastructure projects. While critics point to the slow pace and limited results after two years, proponents argue that canceling the program now would waste the groundwork already laid. If this truly marks the end, America’s most ambitious effort to build a nationwide EV charging network may be cut short just as it was beginning to gain momentum.