TechCrunch Industry News Trump administration stops illegal freeze of $5B EV charger funds after losing in court and more news
Aug 12, 2025
The recent unblocking of $5 billion for electric vehicle charging infrastructure marks a major shift following months of funding restrictions. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice is taking a stand against cybercrime by seizing servers and $1 million in bitcoin from a notorious Russian ransomware gang. These developments highlight both advancements in green technology and the ongoing battle against cyber threats.
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NEVI Funds Released After Court Loss
- After losing in court, the administration issued guidance to release $5B in NEVI funds.
- A judge had enjoined the administration's spending freeze.
DOT Criticized States For Slow Spending
- DOT, led by Sean Duffy, criticized states for taking too long to obligate NEVI funds.
- By May, 84% of the $5B was still un-obligated and few chargers had been billed.
Guidance Strips Safeguards And Equity Mandates
- The new guidance removes consumer protections, emergency planning, environmental siting, and equity or rural build requirements.
- It also drops labor, safety training, and minority-owned business participation requirements.