Federal Court Orders Release of $5B in Frozen EV Charger Funds

A federal district judge in Washington has delivered a decisive ruling that will unlock $5 billion in electric vehicle charging infrastructure funds across the United States. The judgment, issued on January 23, 2026, permanently protects the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program and orders the immediate release of funds that had been illegally frozen since February 2025.

This final ruling marks the conclusion of a protracted legal battle between the federal government and states seeking to build out their EV charging networks. The decision ensures that all 50 states will have access to critical funding for expanding electric vehicle infrastructure, a key component of the nation's transition to cleaner transportation.

The federal district court in Washington entered a final judgment that permanently protects the NEVI program across all 50 states. This ruling comes after a preliminary judgment in June 2025 had already released funds for 14 states, creating a patchwork of funding availability that left many states in limbo.

The court found that the Department of Transportation had illegally frozen the funds in February 2025, violating the program's statutory requirements. The judgment represents a significant victory for states and EV charging advocates who argued that the freeze was hindering the nation's ability to build out critical infrastructure.

The ruling's scope is comprehensive, covering the entire nation rather than just a subset of states. This ensures uniform progress in EV charging development across the country, eliminating the uncertainty that had plagued many state transportation departments.

Key aspects of the court's decision include:

• Permanent protection of the NEVI program's funding structure
• Immediate release of $5 billion to all 50 states
• Clear rejection of the Department of Transportation's freezing authority
• Establishment of precedent for future infrastructure funding disputes

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program represents a cornerstone of federal efforts to support electric vehicle adoption. Established to address the critical need for charging stations across the country, the program provides essential funding for building out the nation's EV infrastructure network.

The February 2025 freeze created significant disruption for states that had been planning and budgeting for charging station projects. Many states had already begun procurement processes and contractor negotiations, only to face uncertainty about whether federal funds would actually materialize.

The program's importance extends beyond simple charging station installation. It represents a coordinated national strategy to ensure that electric vehicle owners can travel reliably across state lines, addressing one of the primary concerns of potential EV adopters.

With the funding now permanently protected, states can proceed with long-term planning and implementation of charging infrastructure projects that will serve millions of drivers in the coming years.

The ruling's impact will be felt immediately across the 50 states, each now guaranteed access to their portion of the $5 billion allocation. States that had been waiting for clarity can now move forward with their charging infrastructure plans, potentially accelerating the timeline for nationwide EV charging availability.

For states that had already begun projects with the preliminary funding released in June 2025, this ruling provides certainty that their programs can continue without interruption. For the remaining states, it means they can now enter the implementation phase without further delays.

The funding release comes at a critical time for the electric vehicle market, as sales continue to grow and more drivers seek reliable charging options. The infrastructure built with these funds will serve as the backbone of the nation's EV ecosystem for decades to come.

State transportation departments can now:

• Finalize contracts with charging station manufacturers
• Begin construction on approved charging corridors
• Plan for maintenance and operation of new infrastructure
• Coordinate with utility companies on grid capacity

The final judgment represents the conclusion of a year-long legal uncertainty that had clouded the future of EV charging infrastructure in America. With the funding now permanently protected, the focus shifts from legal battles to practical implementation of charging networks across the country.

This ruling establishes an important precedent for how federal infrastructure programs will be administered and protected from political or administrative interference. It reinforces the statutory authority of programs like NEVI and provides clarity for future infrastructure investments.

The immediate release of funds will likely trigger a surge in charging station construction projects nationwide, creating jobs and accelerating the transition to electric transportation. As these projects move from planning to implementation, the impact will become visible to drivers across the country.

The court's decision ensures that the vision of a comprehensive national EV charging network can move forward unimpeded, supporting the broader goals of reducing transportation emissions and advancing clean energy infrastructure.