States Advance EV Charging Projects as Sierra Club Urges NEVI Reauthorization

State-level electric vehicle charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly, with Texas, Arizona, Colorado, and Hawaii announcing significant awards and openings under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. This progress comes after a legal challenge by the Sierra Club and state coalitions lifted a federal freeze on NEVI funds.

What Happened

Texas recently awarded $226 million for 321 new charging stations funded through the NEVI program. In Arizona, the first three federally funded fast-charging stations have opened, with dozens more planned across the state. Colorado awarded over $23 million in combined federal and state grants to add 270 fast-charging stations. Meanwhile, EV charging at commercial sites in Hawaii more than doubled in the first half of 2026, with many new installations located at NEVI stations. These developments follow the successful litigation by the Sierra Club and partners that ended the Trump administration’s freeze on the NEVI program, allowing hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to be committed to projects.

Why It Matters

The expansion of these networks is critical for consumer confidence in switching to electric vehicles. Katherine García, Director of Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All, stated that a robust charging network is essential for drivers to avoid record-high gas prices by using cheaper electricity. As Congress negotiates the next extension of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Sierra Club is urging lawmakers to reauthorize and fund the NEVI program to ensure states can maintain momentum in building a convenient charging network.

The Bottom Line

With state projects advancing after the resolution of federal funding freezes, the Sierra Club is pressing Congress to secure continued support for the NEVI program in upcoming transportation funding deals to sustain infrastructure growth.