"Legislation that [could end] ended the partial government shutdown would slash funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program."

"A budget bill moving through Congress this week would defund a 5-year-old program designed to expand electric-vehicle charging stations.

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, or NEVI, program got off to a slow start and had spent only a small share of its budget when the Trump administration took office a year ago and sought to claw back funding.

Now, NEVI is facing a $500 million reduction, part of a larger package totaling about $900 million in proposed cuts related to electric transportation. This would be a major step back for EV charging, but it’s an afterthought in a budget debate that has been more about immigration enforcement rules and avoiding a government shutdown.

At the same time, state governments and environmental groups have succeeded so far in their push to use the courts to unfreeze funding the government has already committed to states, including a Jan. 23 ruling in U.S. District Court in Washington State. But the bill would negate some of the effects of the ruling."

Dan Gearino reports for Inside Climate News February 2, 2026. [2]