"A coalition of states sued the Trump administration Tuesday for blocking the full release of $2.5 billion in federal funding for electric car infrastructure, alleging the decision to stop disbursing funds is unlawful.

The California and Colorado attorneys general announced the lawsuit against the Department of Transportation, arguing the agency overstepped its constitutional authority and attempts to override Congress’s directives under a Biden-era bipartisan infrastructure law by suspending two electric vehicle grant programs.

“Trump is putting the brakes on projects that would reduce planet warming pollution and smog, expand access to clean vehicles, and create thousands of green jobs,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) said in a press conference. “He’s running over the co-equal branch of Congress that holds the purse strings in this country.”

The plaintiffs are 15 states including New York and New Jersey, alongside the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) suing in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington."

Taylor Mills reports for Bloomberg Environment December 16, 2025.