TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general in a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s suspension of federal grant programs intended to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges that the U.S. Department of Transportation unlawfully halted funding under two programs created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program and the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator Program. The states contend the funding was approved by bipartisan majorities in Congress and that the suspension violates constitutional and administrative law.
“Once again, the Trump Administration is clawing away money from our state and hurting our residents. Expanding our state’s network of electric vehicle chargers is a no-brainer, as it would create jobs, support economic growth, and reduce air pollution. Instead of supporting these commonsense investments, however, the Trump Administration is illegally suspending federal funding Congress has mandated,” Platkin said. “Along with my fellow attorneys general, I look forward to restoring this funding so our states can keep building and repairing vital electric vehicle infrastructure for the benefit of our residents.”
According to the complaint, the Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration have declined to approve new funding obligations under the two programs since the spring of 2025, without providing public notice or explanation. The states argue that federal agencies are required to carry out programs established by Congress.
Congress enacted the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2022, creating several multiyear programs to expand and repair electric vehicle charging infrastructure nationwide. The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure and Accelerator programs are separate from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program and are intended to fund charging stations in communities, including near multi-unit housing and transit hubs.
New Jersey officials said the state was awarded $10 million in 2024 through the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program for projects near apartment complexes and transit stops. The New Jersey Department of Transportation also received nearly $6 million through the Accelerator Program to modernize charging infrastructure statewide.
The lawsuit alleges that withholding the funds has harmed state transportation planning and implementation efforts. It asks the court to declare the suspension unlawful and to prevent the federal government from continuing to withhold the money appropriated by Congress.
Platkin joined attorneys general from California, Colorado and Washington, which led the filing, along with officials from Arizona, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin, as well as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
