Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

President Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Revised NEVI Guidance to Allow States to Actually Build EV Chargers

Monday, August 11, 2025

‘If Congress is requiring the federal government to support charging stations, let’s cut the waste and do it right’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today unveiled revised guidance for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. The updates streamline applications, provide states with more flexibility, and slash red tape left by the Biden-Buttigieg Administration. This will ensure charging stations are actually built, and federal funding is spent effectively and efficiently. The Interim Final Guidance is effective immediately while FHWA seeks comment on what further changes may be appropriate.

“If Congress is requiring the federal government to support charging stations, let’s cut the waste and do it right,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “The Biden-Buttigieg Administration failed to deliver EV chargers despite their promises. Our revised NEVI guidance slashes red tape and makes it easier for states to efficiently build out this infrastructure. While I don’t agree with subsidizing green energy, we will respect Congress' will and make sure this program uses federal resources efficiently.”

NEVI was established to fund States’ deployment of EV charging infrastructure, but Biden and Buttigieg added requirements that were difficult to understand and implement. 

Earlier this year, Secretary Duffy and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) launched a review of the program’s guidance to make the NEVI program more efficient. At the time, 84% of NEVI Formula program funds remained unobligated – a clear signal of the program’s failure.

Under the Interim Final Guidance, States should submit their EV Infrastructure Deployment Plans within 30 days of the date of this guidance.

Findings of USDOT Review of Failed Implementation of EV Program: 

  • In this unique program, Congress granted the Secretary authority to issue guidance for States and localities to strategically deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure. 
  • The Biden-Buttigieg Administration wasted time, money, and public trust in implementing the program. 
  • The FHWA has worked to streamline the NEVI Formula Program Guidance to align with the Trump Administration’s priorities of safety, efficiency, and innovation.
  • During the review process: No new obligations occurred under the Program and reimbursement of existing obligations continued. 

Updated Language:

Per Executive Order 14154 “Unleashing American Energy”, this new guidance document would eliminate previous mandates for EVs and potential burdens. In addition, it would rescind previous guidance documents and policies that are not required by clear and express statutory language, per the January 29, 2025, memorandum from the Secretary of Transportation on the Implementation of Executive Orders Addressing Energy, Climate Change, Diversity, and Gender.

Summary of Changes:

  • Minimizes the content in state plans to statutory and regulatory requirements.
  • Simplifies the state plan approval process.
  • Aligns community engagement with regulatory requirements and reduces consultation requirements to advance projects.
  • Provides states with flexibility to determine the appropriate distance between stations along alternative fuel corridors to allow for reasonable travel.
  • Minimizes requirements for states to consider electric grid integration and renewable energy
  • Accelerates project delivery by encouraging selection of charging locations where station owners are also the site host.
  • Eliminates requirements for states to address consumer protections, emergency evacuation plans, environmental siting, resilience and terrain considerations.
  • Provides states with more flexibility to determine when their system is built out allowing NEVI funds to be used on public roads statewide.

Examples of Rescinded Language:

  • Plans should be developed and updated through engagement with rural, underserved, and disadvantaged communities to ensure that diverse views are heard and considered throughout the planning process, and to ensure that the deployment, installation, operation, and use of EV charging infrastructure achieves equitable and fair distribution of benefits and services.
     
  • Plans should explain how the State will deliver projects under the NEVI Formula Program that, consistent with Executive Order (E.O) 14008 and the Interim Justice40 Guidance issued by the White House and USDOT, target at least 40 percent of the benefits towards disadvantaged communities.
     
  • The Plan should also demonstrate how the implementation will promote strong labor, safety, training, and installation standards as well as opportunities for the participation of small businesses, including minority-owned and women-owned small businesses.
     
  • The Plan should also address emergency and evacuation needs, snow removal and seasonal needs, and ways for EV charging to support those needs. The Plan should also describe strategies for resilience for operation during emergencies and extreme weather.

###