Trump Divesting Federal Government EVs Could Be Very Expensive
The Trump administration is moving to walk back electric vehicle adoption in government fleets, ordering the shutdown of 8,000 EV charging ports managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) and the sale of tens of thousands of EVs owned by the federal government.
Key Points
- Trump administration orders shutdown of 8,000 federal EV charging ports
- Government to sell off 25,000 EVs acquired under the Biden administration, resulting in an estimated $225 million loss.
- Replacing federal EVs with traditional gas-powered vehicles could negate cost-cutting efforts and drive up expense
The GSA oversees about two-thirds of the federal government’s 650,000-vehicle fleet and manages 8,000 charging stations at government facilities. These stations serve both federally owned EVs and personal electric vehicles driven by government employees. However, according to internal emails obtained by The Verge, contracts for these charging stations are being canceled, and the chargers will be turned off at the breaker.
While the decision is framed as a cost-cutting measure, it could add additional expense to the existing sunk costs of the initiative. This comes after nearly $300 million was spent installing these stations under the Biden administration as part of a $975 million investment to modernize federal buildings with sustainable technology.
Beyond shutting down charging infrastructure, the administration is also ordering the sale of up to 25,000 EVs acquired under the previous administration. According to a former GSA official, the vehicles may sell for as little as 25% of their original value, leading to an estimated $225 million loss.
Compounding the issue, these EVs will need to be replaced with gasoline-powered vehicles, an effort that could cost an additional $700 million, negating the intended cost savings.
Critics argue that selling EVs at a steep loss, replacing them with gas-powered cars, and shutting down infrastructure that’s already been paid for contradicts the goal of cutting government spending.
Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
More by Michael Accardi
Comments
Join the conversation
I am confused, He is anti EV, getting rid of all federal infrastructure related to EVs and getting rid of the EVs themselves, and yet He was just promoting Teslas on the white house front lawn, and said he is buying one. Where will he charge it?