Introduction to the Shutdown of Federal EV Charging Infrastructure

The General Services Administration (GSA) is planning to shut down the federal electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the coming weeks and offload EVs purchased by the previous administration, as reported by The Verge.

Impact of the Shutdown

The GSA’s decision to shut down chargers will affect both personal electric vehicles owned by government employees and government-owned EVs, as the GSA oversees government buildings. An email viewed by The Verge states, "As GSA has worked to align with the current administration, we have received direction that all GSA-owned charging stations are not mission critical."

Background on Federally-Owned EVs

There has been a steady increase in federally-owned EVs since President Biden ordered government agencies to electrify their fleets in 2021. The Inflation Reduction Act signed in 2024 also included funding to build EV chargers for the growing number of government vehicles.

Implementation of the Shutdown

The shutdown will occur over the coming weeks and will coincide with the removal of GSA EVs purchased by the Biden Administration, either by selling them or placing them in storage, according to the report. Engadget has reached out to the GSA for confirmation and will update the article if more information is received.

Alignment with Current Administration Policies

The shutdown of federal charging infrastructure aligns with the Trump administration’s stance on EVs and the transportation goals of Project 2025, a plan written by The Heritage Foundation guiding recent policy decisions. Since taking office, Trump has reversed Biden’s order to electrify government vehicles and cancelled a project to install high-speed EV chargers along highways.

Potential Future Actions

It would not be surprising if the current administration signed a bill eliminating the federal EV tax credit entirely, if presented with the chance, considering the ongoing reversal of previous EV-friendly policies.

Implications of EV Adoption

While EV adoption is not a solution to global warming on its own, it has been promoted for its potential to reduce carbon emissions. However, the transition from manufacturing gas vehicles to EVs has been costly for car companies. The imposition of tariffs and removal of incentives to buy EVs is reportedly causing automakers to lobby the Trump administration to reconsider its stance on EVs.