Kent’s EV Infrastructure Continues Despite Federal Shifts Under Trump

When Kent’s new City Hall opened in June, EV charging stations were installed as part of the city’s commitment to its climate action plan. However, a shift in energy policy under President Donald Trump could complicate local efforts to keep EV infrastructure growing.

Kent’s decision to embed EV infrastructure in its new City Hall is tied to a broader Climate Action Plan. The charging stations were funded through a grant from the Ohio EPA Diesel Mitigation Trust Fund (DMTF).

Kent State University also maintains a dozen or so charging stations on campus, with more to come. “As part of the East Main Street Project, the proposed improvements include EV charging stations for public use to be installed in four Kent State parking lots along the north side of campus adjacent to East Main Street,” Director of University Media Relations, Emily Vincent, said.

This is all happening amid a reversal on EV and climate policy by the Trump administration. Early in his term, Trump signed an executive order titled “Unleashing American Energy,” emphasizing increased fossil fuel production and relaxing regulations on oil and gas development. 

Trump also moved to roll back or eliminate various incentives for EV adoption and to halt support for charging infrastructure. 

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, a $5 billion federal program put in place as part of the  2021 infrastructure law, funded charging stations along highways to help ensure a national network.

However, in February, the Department of Transportation under Trump suspended the use of federal NEVI funds and instructed states to stop obligating new funds under that program. 

Environmental groups and several states challenged the move in court; a federal judge granted a temporary injunction to block the administration from withholding funds for 14 states. In August, the administration partially reversed course, saying states were allowed again to reapply for NEVI monies under revised guidance.

The broader withdrawal of support from the federal level for environmental initiatives could slow or stall many planned projects. Studies suggest that removing EV incentives and charger credits would have a significant negative effect on EV adoption trajectories, and in return, slow investment in the supporting grid and infrastructure. 

The impact on Kent’s City Hall chargers may be limited—these are installed and operational already–but future expansions or upgrades might stall if state or local projects lose access to federal support.

The Climate Action Campaign tracks Trump’s climate and clean energy rollbacks as they happen and released the “100 Days,100 Harms Tracker” to display the pain and harm the administration has inflicted on the climate, economy, health, and well-being of American people, according to their website. 

Not only have these issues been exacerbated, but the language surrounding them has been banned by the Department of Energy, silencing climate scientists, according to the Climate Action Campaign’s website. Words like “climate change,” “green,” “clean,” and “sustainability” have been added to a list of words to avoid, Politico reported.

As federal policy moves away from electrical vehicles and sustainability efforts, the City of Kent strives to support its local community and associated needs.

In an email, sustainability coordinator Julie Morris said, “City Council, in listening to the Kent community it represents, has deemed sustainability efforts to be important as they have potential to provide economic and financial benefits for the City, in addition to providing a healthier environment, with improved quality of life for those living, working, and playing in Kent.”