Trump Lost The EV Charging Battle, Bigly

The article "Trump Lost The EV Charging Battle, Bigly" outlines how former President Donald Trump’s policies and political maneuvers negatively impacted the growth of the US electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and EV sales. Despite some temporary setbacks during his administration—such as job losses and a drop in EV sales following the elimination of certain tax credits—Trump ultimately failed to halt the broader momentum toward vehicle electrification. The article highlights that EV adoption and charging infrastructure development continue to advance, driven by state initiatives and private sector innovation, regardless of federal-level challenges. A key development is the increasing role of state governments in supporting EV infrastructure, exemplified by Illinois’ recent launch of a $20 million program to expand EV charging stations statewide. This program, part of Illinois’ “Rebuild Illinois” capital plan and authorized under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, prioritizes locations that fill gaps in public charging availability and serve public transit or equity-focused communities. Additionally, organizations like the Transportation Energy Institute and