Experts warn Trump's funding cut may impact consumer confidence in EV charging network

CALIFORNIA (FOX26) — In a letter on February 6th, the Trump administration directed the U.S. to stop spending money on EV charging infrastructure, funds that were allocated under former President Biden.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted the importance of investments in EVs and why she says ...they are the future for healthier people and the planet.

"The climate crisis has presented a historic challenge to our nation and to the world. It also presents a historic opportunity to create good jobs, to drive innovation," said Harris.

The funding was originally set aside under Biden's infrastructure law.

A plan was created to speed up the country's move towards electric transportation -- by improving access to charging stations.

"The state of California is supposed to get couple of 100 millions out of it. The idea of this program was not just to send money to one company that install all the charges and get the best value for charger, but to create the capacity in every state," said Gil Tal the Director of the Electric Vehicle Research Center.

Gil Tal is a UC Davis professor and the electric vehicle research center director.

He says once a state receives funding, that money would go towards picking vendors that would then install the charging stations.

There are currently two types of chargers that the federal government and the state of California was helping to build.

The D-C fast charger is used the most for long trips and is considered the fastest way to charge an e-v.

"These fast chargers are more needed if you drive more than the range of the car. So these guys would drive from the Bay Area to LA and back, or if you drive like more than 200 miles a day, the problem with the fast chargers is that they are very expensive and the business model is a little bit rough right now. So the business model is rough and that's why we need this federal and state and other public incentives to start them," said Tal.

Experts say it's not that easy for President Trump to pull the plug.

some fear that the move will also delay critical charging infrastructure and that it could have a domino effect on the e-v transition slowing down sales.

Private investment still plays a major role in expanding the e-v charging network...but losing government funding is a major setback.

Experts also say that the halt in funding isn't just about infrastructure -- it's about consumer confidence.

Drivers need to know that when they pull up to a charger, it's going to work.

Right now California has a 2035 deadline to phase out new gas-powered car sales.