The electric vehicle (EV) charging dream is taking a nasty detour, all thanks to a directive from the Trump administration that’s stalling vital infrastructure projects already in motion. Thanks to some government maneuvering, states across the U.S. are in full-on panic mode while trying to figure out what’s next for their charging stations.

Let’s start with the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which had billions earmarked for expanding our electric vehicle charging capabilities. That includes some well-deserved dough going to quirky Southern landmarks like Priester’s Pecans in Fort Payne, Alabama, which was looking forward to receiving funding to add chargers for EVs at its famous roadside stop.

But, who needs charging stations, right? On February 6, transportation officials were notified that they could no longer spend their allocated chunks of NEVI cash. This freeze is apparently based on a letter from a Trump appointee and has left around 90% of the funds in limbo, leaving states like Alabama, where a halt had already been announced, reeling from the implications.

Some bitter irony is at play here, the NEVI funding was originally approved by Congress. Political experts claim the executive branch can’t just toss this money to the wind without a valid reason. “The funding is adhered to by bipartisan law,” said Elizabeth Turnbull from the Alliance for Transportation Electrification, raising eyebrows at the legal footing of Trump’s withholding of funds. So, expect a potential courtroom showdown soon.

Meanwhile, in the wake of this halting in progress, some red states like North Carolina are now scratching their heads, unsure of how to proceed. They’ve allotted numerous funds for routing EV chargers to underserved communities, only now they’re caught between keeping plans alive or waiting for federal guidance with crickets chirping in between.

On the flip side, states like Illinois are doubling down on their own initiatives, showing that while federal funds may face obstacles, progress doesn’t have to stop. They’ve announced incentives worth $231 million to boost EV adoption and charging station installations, independent of NEVI.

But isn’t it ironic? While many conservative-leaning states are pausing their progress, progressives are revving their engines and pushing forward to ensure the world doesn’t ignore the electric revolution. At the end of the day, whether they like it or not, the transition to EVs is inevitable, stopping it won’t undo progress, just delay it. Stay tuned, folks. This volatile political landscape still has some serious miles to cover.