Federal Policy
Surface Transportation Reauthorization
Last updated August 2026
The Process
Every five years, Congress sets the nation’s transportation infrastructure priorities and funding strategy through the surface transportation reauthorization process colloquially known as the “highway bill.” The previous bill, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), is set to expire on September 30, 2026.
To lower transportation costs, improve U.S. automakers’ global competitiveness, and protect our economic and national security, Congress must use this opportunity to invest in the next generation of transportation: electric vehicles (EVs).
Latest Update
On August 4, 2026, the Electrification Coalition sent a letter to congressional leaders urging lawmakers to extend Fiscal Year 2026 authorization and funding levels under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in a final extension package before the September 30 deadline.
EC's Priorities
1. Reauthorize the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program
The creation of a national network of EV charging infrastructure is paramount to supporting a safe and reliable transportation future. The NEVI program—despite a slow start while states established administrative capacity and federal agencies finalized technical standards and Buy America
requirements—is now rapidly laying that network’s foundation. To ensure that charging infrastructure keeps pace with an increasingly electrified freight and passenger vehicle stock, we propose the reauthorization and codification of the NEVI program with a minimum total funding of $7.5 billion over
five years for NEVI and CFI—the level at which they were previously funded. While only a fraction of the NEVI program’s initial funds has been spent to date, it has already helped spur more than $42 billion in additional private, public, and utility investments in charging infrastructure.
2. Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program Reforms to Unlock Heavy-Duty Infrastructure Networks
The CFI program has successfully catalyzed an expansion of light-duty EV charging in and between the nation’s communities through its community and corridor charging grants. To accelerate the deployment of charging along high-volume commercial freight corridors and better address medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) charging infrastructure’s unique requirements—such as higher power capacity levels, different site design, and safety measures—the EC encourages Congress and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to restructure the program by separating it into a Light-Duty Passenger Vehicle Program and a Medium- and Heavy-Duty Commercial Freight Vehicle Program.
3. Ensure Funding Eligibility of Charging Infrastructure
The EC strongly encourages the reauthorization of critical formula programs, including the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program, the Carbon Reduction Program, Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program, the
Surface Transportation Block Grant program, and the National Highway Performance program. Each of these programs provides critical funds to state entities to enhance the way we move. The EC proposes that EV charging infrastructure be included as an eligible means to spend this funding, thereby addressing gaps in the private market.
4. Reauthorize and Reform the Low and No Emission Bus Grant Program and Bus and Bus Facilities Programs
The Federal Transit Administration’s Low and No Emission Grants Program (49 USC 5339(c)) and the Bus and Bus Facilities Program (5339(b)) have provided critical support to the deployment of advanced technologies. We recommend that the two programs be formally integrated and funded at approximately $1.5 billion per fiscal year, and that customization of buses purchased through this program be limited, reducing costs and strain on bus manufacturers. The Low and No Emission Bus Grant program was previously funded at $1.1 billion.
5. Ensure Solvency for the Highway Trust Fund with a Fuel Neutral Funding Mechanism
The Highway Trust Fund is facing insolvency due to increasing fuel efficiency and construction costs. The EC supports changes to close the gap and ensure that all drivers contribute fairly, regardless of the fuel their vehicle uses. With internal combustion engine vehicles guaranteed to remain the majority of on-road vehicles for over a decade, any policy that fails to recapture their declining contributions to transportation funding will be, at best, inadequate and, at worst, actively harmful. The EC recommends that Congress develop and adopt a comprehensive, fuel-neutral funding mechanism to secure the fund’s long-term solvency, ensuring all drivers contribute without unfairly penalizing one driver over another based on the vehicle’s powertrain.
6. Modify the Federal Excise Tax (FET) on Trucks
The 12% FET for new heavy-duty vehicles is regressive; it exacerbates the cost barrier for fleet operators seeking to purchase new, safer, more efficient, and more advanced heavy-duty trucks. The FET specifically overburdens small fleets and owner-operators, who employ 44% of truck drivers. This tax, the highest tax imposed by Congress on any single product, is added on top of existing state and local sales taxes. It was first introduced at 3% in 1917 to help pay for World War I and has been raised several times since to its current 12% value. To reduce the overall cost, the EC proposes a cap of $15,000 on the total dollar amount that can be charged per vehicle.
The Current Bill & What Comes Next
The House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee kicked off the surface transportation reauthorization process by proposing its version of the bill, titled the BUILD America 250 Act. As written, the bill would institute punitive EV and plug-in hybrid taxes and would decimate the two main sources of funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure: the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program. Click the images below to read about the impacts this would have if passed.
Before it is signed into law, the bill must pass through a full House vote, a full Senate vote, and be signed into law by the president. Given the current status of the bill and the Congressional calendar, it is likely that the previous highway bill will be extended while negotiations continue past September 30.
How is the EC Weighing In?
Ways to Take Action
There is still time to urge your representatives to maintain EV charging infrastructure funding by sending a pre-written letter or by calling them directly.