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.…But a few possibilities come to mind
by Guy Page
Vermont is now one of seventeen states suing the Trump administration over electric vehicle charging money that, according to state officials, has suddenly stopped flowing.
Attorney General Charity Clark announced yesterday that the U.S. Department of Transportation has quietly refused to approve any new funding under two EV charging programs created by Congress in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. No warning. No explanation. Just a freeze.
The lawsuit argues this violates the separation of powers, since Congress already approved the funding with bipartisan votes. And in Vermont’s case, the complaint zeroes in on Burlington, where the state was counting on nearly five million dollars to expand charging capacity.
Lose that money, the state says, and Vermont either delays its EV rollout or pays more to meet its own goals.
What the Attorney General does not explain is why federal officials might be less than enthusiastic about writing those checks. A few possibilities come to mind.
First, these charging stations are not cheap, and they are not evenly used. They tend to serve urban areas and higher-income Vermonters — people who could afford to buy electric vehicles in the first place, often knowing full well that charging infrastructure was limited. From Washington’s point of view, that can look like a subsidy for a narrow, upscale slice of the population.
Second, electric vehicles don’t pay the equivalent of gas taxes for highway upkeep. That matters. Roads and bridges are still largely funded at the pump. Vermont only recently created an EV version of the gas tax, and even that revenue is modest. Meanwhile, federal money that could support general transportation infrastructure is being steered instead into building out charging stations — infrastructure that further reduces fuel tax revenue.
Third, electric vehicles may simply not be the priority they once were.
Vermont itself is signaling a retreat. Governor Phil Scott earlier this year issued an executive order pausing enforcement of multi-state EV sales mandates through the end of 2026. State law has tied Vermont to California’s emissions standards, including a ban on new gas and diesel vehicles by 2035. But that consensus is fraying.
Earlier this year, the U.S. House voted to override California’s emissions rules. Other states have already pulled out of zero-emissions mandates for cars and trucks. The political ground has shifted.
And Vermont car buyers haven’t fully cooperated either.
About ten percent of registered vehicles in Vermont are electric. Cold weather, high sticker prices, and limited charging access remain major hurdles. Automakers are noticing. Major manufacturers are scaling back EV offerings in states like Vermont. Compass Vermont recently reported that Ford is discontinuing sales of the F-150 Lightning here — the very electric truck Governor Scott is often photographed riding in.
Still, you can already hear the next argument forming in Montpelier:
If Washington won’t pay, Vermont taxpayers must. For the climate. For the future. For the plan.
That would mean millions more in state spending to build charging stations, especially in the Burlington area — at a time when enthusiasm for EV mandates is cooling, automakers are pulling back, and many Vermonters are still driving gasoline vehicles they can afford and refuel anywhere.
If lawmakers decide that’s the road they want to take, it will be an interesting debate.
And it’s one VDC be following.
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Categories: Energy, News Analysis
Headline rewrite: Vermont AG wastes Vermont tax dollars to follow Democrat Party Line and attempt to embarrass GOP
If the Gov. gives it to you…. They can take it away no explanation.
Four: The nation is $38,490,600,000,000 in debt. Funding a rich-boy-toy/pork-barrel project that has net negative economic and environmental benefits would border on suicidal.
If more charging stations are important to Vermonters and in the interest of attracting tourists, let it come from Vermont taxpayers. May I suggest taking from education budgets, since test scores are showing what a bad investment that is.
I would venture to say that most of those that can afford an EV, own a a home and install their own charger. The market is changing. Deal with it, or take a hike. Besides, hybrid vehicles make more sense in a rural state if you so choose. I live in a rural area and will stick with my practical truck.
Need to have a new law that requires you to have a generator in the trunk of your car so you do not become a pain in the … when you run out of juice in the middle of the road.
I know someone that was bragging about getting their EV who advised this week it can’t be used; the battery was dead every morning it got near zero, was afraid to leave it on charge overnight due to fire risk and no usable in snow. EV’s have low rolling resistance tires and owners manual advises agains snow tires since it will diminish the operating miles, so has no grip tires still on. Sounds like progress!!
This was announced months ago by Trump. I guess she just doesn’t listen to her President. Along with cancelling all financial subsidies for anything ‘climate change-y’. Months ago.
And you know, cuz EVs don’t really work in Vermont… The cold… Batteries … Grid failures… And the time it takes to charge up vs how long the charge lasts… 6-7 months a year? You, in practice not theory.
Wahhhh wahhhh… Smallest violin and so forth.
Most likely, since she is apparently superior to anyone in the Administration, she apparently wanted a hand delivered, engraved notice.
Excellent article Guy. Too bad the folks that should read it, and/or adhere to all you said most likely won’t and don’t care.
If you want to own an electric vehicle, then charging it is your problem, not mine. I don’t see any of you jumping up to help me put gas in my tank.
Us little people just don’t know what’s good for us. The Progressives are here to save us from ourselves.
Gen. Clark,
Hang it up Vermont (you) should not be jumping like a flea to a dog on every multi state that California’s fruitcakes dream up ! Everything that comes out of California is not gold ! If you don’t believe me, check out their streets, gutters, and alley ways . What I see is nothing I would hope to emulate ! Why not spend more of our (yes our) time and money on things like why our gas is still is so much more expensive than the national average . Oh I guess you probably think our gas prices should emulate Calafornia’s (over $5.00 a gallon) too ? Do your job………. here !
Charity Clark will not rest until we have tents and tarp villages lining the sidewalks of every city in Vermont…until it resembles the object of her affection, California…
We don’t pay taxpayer money to a gas station so why should taxpayers pay for charging stations?? If you want to own a battery car then charge your car at home. It is not taxpayers responsibility to charge your car
Rumor has it Governor doesn’t even use his EV lightning any more