Reps. Burlison, Hageman Reintroduce UNPLUG EVs Act to End Wasteful Spending on Charging Stations

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Eric Burlison (R-MO-07) and Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY-At Large) reintroduced the Undoing Nationwide Programs and Limiting Unnecessary Grants for Electric Vehicles (UNPLUG EVs) Act to rescind funding for EV charging stations appropriated in Joe Biden's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to ensure Americans are not subsidizing another government-mandated environmental scam.  

The UNPLUG EVs Act aligns with recent actions by the Trump administration to suspend the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, a failed $5 billion initiative aimed at installing EV charging stations across the country. 

“Americans deserve the freedom to choose the vehicles they drive without government interference,” said Rep. Burlison. “These subsidies raise energy costs, weaken our power grid, and deepen reliance on Communist China’s EV supply chain—all on the taxpayers’ dime.” 

“Since Biden launched the NEVI and CFI programs in November 2021, billions in taxpayer funds have been wasted propping up the EV industry. These unrealistic EV mandates were nothing more than a costly, failed experiment in government overreach,” added Rep. Hageman. “That’s why I’m proud to cosponsor Rep. Burlison’s legislation rescinding all remaining funds from these programs—ending these taxpayer-funded green subsidies. The American people should not be forced to bankroll an industry just to appease radical climate activists.” 

Despite a $7.5 billion investment, only 37 stations with 226 charging ports have been completed under NEVI by December 2024, and CFI has added just 84 ports at two stations. This slow deployment equates to a staggering cost of approximately $27.9 million per charging port.  

Key Points: 

• Only 35% of Americans might consider buying an EV, down from 43% in 2023 (Gallup, April 2024). 
• The EV mandate could add between 100 to 185 terawatt-hours to national electricity demand by 2030, representing a 2.5% to 4.6% increase in total consumption (Rabobank, 2024). 
• Over 4,000 American car dealers oppose EV mandates (Energy and Commerce Committee, December 2024). 
• EVs have nearly 80% more problems than gas vehicles, with an average cost of $11,833 in socialized costs per vehicle over 10 years (The Hill, February 2024). 
• Only 13% of U.S. adults own or lease an EV, largely due to concerns about charging station availability and time (CBS News, June 2024).  

The UNPLUG EVs Act will rescind all current funding for the NEVI and CFI programs, stopping the government from continuing to prop up the electric vehicle industry with taxpayer dollars.