Federal EV Charger Program Gains Momentum After Turbulent Start

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program added nearly 500 new charging ports in 2025 after facing legal challenges and political battles.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 12:07pm

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America's public fast-charging network expanded rapidly in 2025, with private investment leading the way. However, the federally funded NEVI program also contributed to this growth, adding close to 500 new charging ports - more than double the number added in 2024. The NEVI program faced a tumultuous start, including attempts by the Trump administration to freeze its funding, but ultimately prevailed in court battles. States are now shifting into higher gear to commission and build these NEVI-funded charging sites.

Why it matters

The NEVI program is crucial for laying the groundwork for broader EV adoption in the U.S. by creating a network of high-speed public fast chargers along major travel corridors. After a slow and controversial start, the program's growing momentum signals that the federal government is committed to supporting the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, which is seen as essential for driving widespread EV adoption.

The details

The NEVI program, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed under the Biden administration, was designed to create a federally funded network of high-speed public fast chargers. In 2025, nearly 100 new NEVI-funded charging stations came online, adding close to 500 new ports - more than double the number added in 2024. This growth came despite legal challenges and political battles, including attempts by the Trump administration to freeze NEVI funds. The program faced heavy criticism, but ultimately prevailed in court. The Department of Transportation also released updated guidance last October that reduced some of NEVI's stricter requirements in an effort to speed up charger deployment.

  • In February 2025, the Department of Transportation (DOT) froze NEVI funds and instructed states not to award any new contracts.
  • In 2025, a coalition of states sued the DOT, and a judge ultimately ruled in favor of NEVI, ordering the administration to unfreeze the funds.
  • In January 2026, the administration tried once again to freeze NEVI funds, but last week a federal judge in Seattle ruled in favor of the 20 states that sued to restore the funds.
  • In October 2025, the DOT released updated guidance that reduced some of NEVI's stricter requirements in an effort to speed up the deployment of chargers.

The players

National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program

A $5 billion program passed under the Biden administration as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, designed to create a federally funded network of high-speed public fast chargers along America's major travel corridors.

Department of Transportation (DOT)

The federal agency that initially froze NEVI funds and instructed states not to award any new contracts, but was later ordered by a judge to unfreeze the funds.

Coalition of states

A group of states that sued the DOT after it froze NEVI funds, ultimately prevailing in court.

Florent Breton

CEO of charging analytics firm Paren, who stated that NEVI serves as a magnet for foreign players to be part of the EV charging industry in the U.S.

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What they’re saying

“NEVI is a signal to the broader market to continue building EV [charging] infrastructure. It serves as a magnet for foreign players, such as Alpitronic, to come and be part of the industry in the U.S.”

— Florent Breton, CEO, Paren (InsideEVs)

What’s next

It's unclear whether more lawsuits are looming this year, but if the NEVI program enters a steadier phase, it could scale much faster than it has so far.

The takeaway

The NEVI program's growing momentum, despite its turbulent start, demonstrates the federal government's commitment to supporting the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, which is seen as essential for driving widespread EV adoption in the U.S.