Trump administration pauses 2.5 billion dollar IIJA charging grant programme citing waste and fraud
By Eve
The US Department of Transportation has suspended the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure grant programme in February 2025, which allocated 2.5 billion dollars from fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to states, utilities and community organisations for corridor and community charging stations. The programme required at least 40 per cent of project funds to serve communities of colour under the Justice40 Initiative, with competitive scoring weighting equity considerations above safety and public access factors. The Trump administration cited waste, fraud and abuse in grants, including an EVequity Leadership project that received nearly 15 million dollars for California charging infrastructure prioritising Justice40 communities.
Why it matters
The pause halts a major federal funding stream for community charging deployment and signals a policy shift that may redirect capital toward different project selection criteria. CPOs and contractors pursuing CFI grants face immediate uncertainty over award timing and eligibility requirements.
Source
- Source
- https://epicforamerica.org/federal-budget/iija-funds-wasteful-community-charging-infrastructure/
- Original title
- “IIJA Funds Wasteful Community Charging Infrastructure”
- Published
- 18 February 2026
- Updated
- 18 July 2026
In this story
Related news
EU to cap Chinese hybrid imports at 350,000 vehicles per year from December
The European Commission has confirmed a quota limiting Chinese hybrid electric vehicle imports to 350,000 units annually, down from an expected 800,000 battery and plug-in hybrids this year. The measure, agreed in Beijing last week and enforceable from December under WTO safeguard rules, aims to halve China's EU market share from 6% to 3% over a four year period. Volkswagen's leadership has backed the plan to support domestic manufacturing.
Why it matters
The quota will reshape EV supply chains and may accelerate local manufacturing investment by Chinese OEMs seeking to maintain EU sales, directly affecting charging infrastructure planning as fleet composition shifts. CPOs and site hosts should anticipate changes in vehicle mix and charging demand patterns as the policy takes effect.
Australian energy regulator backs network-funded kerbside EV charger rollout
The Australian Energy Market Commission has granted preliminary approval for a plan to install 14,000 kerbside EV chargers on power poles in underserved areas, funded through household electricity bills. Network operators have pushed the proposal for years, arguing it will address charging black spots in major cities where private deployment is not commercially viable.
Why it matters
The decision creates a regulated utility-led procurement pathway for thousands of charge points in Australia, potentially opening new installation and equipment supply opportunities in areas private CPOs have avoided. The funding model through consumer bills removes commercial risk for network operators entering the charging market.
UK cuts home charging VAT to 0% but leaves public charging at 20%, widening driveway divide
From 1 October, domestic electricity VAT in the UK dropped to 0%, cutting home EV charging costs by an estimated £40 per year for drivers with off street parking. Public charging remains subject to 20% VAT, prompting char.gy CEO John Lewis to call the disparity unfair and urge Labour to reduce public charging costs. The policy change, linked to Andy Burnham's initiatives, has been criticised for widening the so called driveway divide between EV owners with and without private parking.
Why it matters
The VAT gap between home and public charging may slow uptake among drivers reliant on public infrastructure, pressuring charge point operators to absorb cost differences or risk losing customers. Policymakers and CPOs face renewed calls to level the playing field, which could influence future subsidy design and site economics for on street and destination charging.