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  • #40: Confusion reigns over Trump executive order pausing federal funding

#40: Confusion reigns over Trump executive order pausing federal funding

President Trump's executive order attempts to pause federal EV infrastructure funding, courts weigh in, uncertainty remains; XCharge upgrading airport EV charging; and we examine two key figures in the Trump Administration

Author

Steve Taylor
February 01, 2025

Together with

The big stories:

  • XCharge is upgrading airport EV charging for rental car services. 

  • President Trump pauses (then unpauses?) federal EV industry funding.

  • People in Power, a new addition where Rob will break down impactful figures in and around the Trump Administration.

Plus, featured jobs and news.

Enjoy,

–Steve

Current EVents

EV Industry Updates

XCharge has partnered with a top rental car service to enhance EV charging infrastructure at major East Coast airport rental locations.

The collaboration has already delivered upgraded charging at three major airports, with plans for further expansion along the eastern seaboard.

Initial results show a more than tenfold increase in charging speeds at the first installation site. The system is engineered to overcome the space and utility challenges unique to airport rental facilities.

Steve's Take

This partnership highlights the rising need for specialized EV charging solutions tailored to specific use cases. Airport rental locations present distinct challenges—ranging from limited space to power constraints—that demand customized infrastructure.

As rental companies scale their EV fleets, the demand for high-speed charging solutions will only grow. Collaborations like this are poised to set a new benchmark for infrastructure development across the industry.

–Steve

Power and Policy

Confusion is the word of the day at the end of the second week of President Trump's term. The past fourteen days have brought a whiplash-inducing volume of contradictory announcements out of the White House that have left the EV charging industry with more questions than answers to the status of federal EV charging infrastructure funding.  

To recap, on President Trump’s first day in office he issued dozens of executive orders including one titled “Unleashing American Energy.” Section 7 of that EO reads:

”Terminating the Green New Deal.  (a)  All agencies shall immediately pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-169) or the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), including but not limited to funds for electric vehicle charging stations made available through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program, and shall review their processes, policies, and programs for issuing grants, loans, contracts, or any other financial disbursements of such appropriated funds for consistency with the law and the policy outlined in section 2 of this order.”

It’s important to note that of the hundreds of federal programs contained within the IIJA and IRA, the EO specifically targets—BY NAME— the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program and Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program.

One week later, on Monday night, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a vaguely worded two-page memo to all federal agencies directing them to “temporarily pause all (emphasis is ours) activities related obligations or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance.” This sweeping announcement halting all grants and loans immediately caused chaos across an enormous swath of industries and entities.  

By Tuesday morning a lawsuit was filed against OMB in federal court and a U.S. District Court judge quickly issued an order temporarily blocking the Trump Administration from implementing the pause on federal funding. A group of attorneys general from 22 states also filed a separate challenge in federal court.

On Wednesday, the White House formally rescinded the OMB memo that had ordered the funding freeze, yet the White Press Secretary subsequently said a federal funding freeze remains in “full force and effect.” 

Confused? So is everyone. The court may rule on this as soon as this coming week so stay tuned. Things are changing by the day.

Rob's Take

One thing is clear…EV’s and EV charging infrastructure are in President Trump’s crosshairs. Regardless of the confusion and contradictory language coming out of the White House this week, it’s clear the Trump administration will be looking for any and every way to eliminate or slow down the NEVI (and other related) programs. 

That said, however, the reality of the Trump Administration’s ability to accomplish this is much more complicated. It’s important to note that over $2.4B in NEVI funding has already been contractually obligated to the states and all 50 states have submitted approved plans. The NEVI program ties funding disbursement to the approved state plans. These safeguards are going to make it very difficult, if not impossible, for them to be rescinded or clawed back.  

Administration attempts to do so will face immediate legal challenges.  

The good news is many charging networks have already secured substantial private investment and established viable business models independent of federal support. State-level programs and utility investments will become increasingly important as federal support diminishes. The charging sector will now need to accelerate its shift toward market-driven expansion models. 

While the Trump Administration’s actions may try to slow the pace of federal support for infrastructure deployment in the short term, it is likely that other public and private funding sources will continue to meet the necessary market demand. 

–Rob 

People in Power 

Secretary of Energy: Chris Wright

Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy, brings an extensive background in energy sector operations, with particular expertise in hydraulic fracturing and fossil fuel development. He has: 

  • A degree in mechanical engineering from MIT 

  • Built Liberty Energy into one of the nation's prominent oilfield services firms

  • No prior government experience

Wright's energy philosophy emphasizes what he calls “affordable, reliable, ​​and secure American energy” from diverse sources, including natural gas, coal, nuclear, and hydropower. 

His stance on emerging technologies like geothermal energy suggests openness to certain new energy developments while maintaining strong support for conventional fuel sources.

Rob's Take

Wright's nomination signals a dramatic, and expected, realignment of DOE priorities that is sure to impact EV infrastructure development. His background in fossil fuels and skepticism toward renewable energy transition do not elicit much optimism for federal support in EV charging.

As such, the EV charging industry must prepare for a shift in federal policy dynamics. Wright's appointment must accelerate the trend toward greater private sector leadership in charging infrastructure development. 

His lack of government experience adds another layer of uncertainty to how DOE programs will be managed. The industry may need to adapt to new administrative approaches and potentially different funding priorities under his leadership.

NOTE: The U.S. Senate Thursday evening advanced Wright’s nomination to head the Department of Energy to a final confirmation vote. The vote was 62-35. His final confirmation vote is pending.

–Rob 

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Chair: Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)

Known for his advocacy of limited government intervention and his distaste for the TSA, Lee brings a distinct perspective to a committee central to shaping national energy infrastructure policy.

The Utah Senator has consistently challenged federal oversight of energy development, particularly regarding land use policies. 

Lee believes the Biden Administration has done “devastating harm” to the energy sector, signaling a strong interest in undoing Biden-era energy policies.

On January 24th, Lee introduced legislation to reform the Antiquities Act, signaling his intent to reshape federal land management policies.

His leadership position gives him significant influence over energy legislation, including measures affecting EV charging infrastructure development and clean energy initiatives.

Rob's Take

Lee is sure to be a friendly face in the Senate for Mr. Wright. He has described the Liberty Energy report “Bettering Human Lives”  as a “clear-headed perspective” on the positive and negative effects of energy production (of which he, naturally, agrees the positives outweigh the negatives). 

His emphasis on local control is aligned with the Trump Administration’s preferred decentralized approach to infrastructure development, likely shifting more responsibility to state and local governments.

For the EV charging industry, it’s clear that companies should strengthen their relationships with state and local authorities as federal involvement deteriorates.

–Rob 

Featured Jobs

You can find more EV industry jobs here.

EVPowerInsights hosted a Policy Briefing this week

67 executives, policy professionals, and investors joined our Trump 2.0 Policy Briefing this week to discuss how charging infrastructure is being reshaped by the second Trump Administration and new Congress.

We discussed Executives Orders, the funding freeze, tax priorities, the House majority, and EV funding.

Here were the key takeaways;

  • Over 50 EOs issued focusing on regulatory freezes, energy policy shifts, and suspending EV mandates.

  • Federal grants and loans halted, delaying project approvals and creating uncertainty.

  • Republicans aim to extend 2017 provisions while targeting IRA-related EV credits.

  • Slim Republican control complicates legislative efforts, relying on reconciliation for major bills.

  • Projects under review face bipartisan pushback over executive overreach and program pauses.

  • Legislative battles on spending, tax policy, and IRA provisions are expected, with agency guidance pending.

EVPowerInsights will host another Policy Briefing in the coming weeks as we continue to learn more about how the Trump Administration will influence EVs and charging infrastructure.

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⚡️Steve and Rob

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