AG Brown joins coalition to protect EV infrastructure investment from federal attempt to freeze buildout

# AG Brown Joins Coalition Against EV Charging Infrastructure Proposal

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown joined a coalition of state attorneys general on March 17, 2026, opposing a Federal Highway Administration proposal that would require electric vehicle chargers funded through federal programs to use 100% U.S.-manufactured components. The proposal would raise the current domestic component requirement from 55% to 100%, a threshold manufacturers cannot currently meet.

The coalition argues the new requirement would effectively halt existing EV charging expansion projects and slow domestic manufacturing growth. States and manufacturers have already made significant investments based on the current framework, which gradually increases domestic manufacturing requirements to the 55% level established in federal law. The coalition contends the FHWA proposal exceeds the agency's authority, conflicts with federal law, and is arbitrary and capricious.

This represents the second federal attempt to restrict EV infrastructure funding. In January, a federal judge ruled in favor of Washington and other states challenging the administration's previous effort to terminate billions in congressionally approved EV infrastructure funds. That decision protected $57 million for Washington and barred the Department of Transportation from withholding future funding. The coalition is urging FHWA to withdraw the new proposal and maintain existing standards.