Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy isn't holding back his enthusiasm about redirecting federal dollars away from electric vehicle programs. President Donald Trump signed a funding bill on Tuesday that yanks over half a billion dollars from EV-related initiatives, and Duffy couldn't be happier about it.

Pulling the Plug on EV Funding

Taking to X on Tuesday, Duffy celebrated Trump's move to cut over $503 million from "failed EV programs and instead use that funding for BIG, BEAUTIFUL infrastructure," as he put it. The cuts target the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which was originally designed to build out EV charging stations across the country.

Duffy also cheered the ban on mask mandates for public transportation and highlighted over $200 million being allocated to truck parking facilities to improve safety for truckers hauling American goods.

Shutdown Averted, For Now

These funding changes are part of Trump's signature on a massive $1.2 trillion package that stopped a partial government shutdown in its tracks. The bill barely squeaked through the House with a 217-214 vote and covers 11 annual appropriations bills running through September 30.

There's a twist though: Department of Homeland Security funding only extends through February 13, following the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis during anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protests.

California Takes the Opposite Road

While Washington cuts EV funding, California is doubling down. Governor Gavin Newsom recently unveiled plans for a $200 million incentive package targeting first-time EV buyers in the state.

The proposal includes an interesting requirement: participating automakers would need to match government incentives (amounts still to be determined) for EVs priced under $55,000, as well as SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans under $80,000. It's essentially asking the industry to put its money where California's policy ambitions are.