Why It Matters

Federal EV charging programs face existential legislative threats. ChargePoint Inc. depends on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act for its core business model, but multiple Republican-led bills seek to repeal or defund these programs entirely. The Unplug the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Program Act would terminate the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program outright, while the Highway Funding Flexibility Act of 2025 would allow states to redirect unobligated funds.

Simultaneously, Chinese competitors face national security scrutiny—creating an opportunity for ChargePoint to position itself as a secure American alternative. ChargePoint’s strategy reflects this urgency: it hired Holland & Knight LLP with deep Senate appropriations expertise to defend existing programs while positioning the company as a national security asset in a divided Congress.

By the Numbers

ChargePoint Inc. has invested $3.09 million across 58 disclosures since 2016, maintaining a continuous Washington presence through in-house advocacy and external firm relationships.

The last quarter of 2025 marks a strategic shift. The company hired Holland & Knight LLP for $60,000 this quarter—its first engagement with the firm focused specifically on defending federal EV charging programs.

Holland & Knight brings substantial infrastructure policy expertise, having generated over $228 million in lobbying fees since 2003. The three registered lobbyists reflect deliberate strategic composition:

  • Molly Ryan Ross: Former Legislative Assistant to Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a key Appropriations Committee member
  • Gregory M. Louer: ChargePoint’s longest-serving external advocate, representing the company across 29 disclosures since 2016
  • Dennis S. Potter: Veteran transportation lobbyist with appropriations and manufacturing policy experience

The Agenda

ChargePoint Inc. is lobbying on implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), plus global competition issues affecting the EV charging sector.

The company faces an urgent defensive battle as multiple bills threaten to dismantle core federal programs, including the Unplug the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Program Act and the Highway Funding Flexibility Act of 2025.

Emerging national security concerns about Chinese EV charging companies create a new opening for ChargePoint to position itself as a secure domestic alternative. Rep. John Moolenaar and Sen. Marsha Blackburn have raised alarm about a Chinese EV charging firm, citing surveillance and grid vulnerability risks.

Broader Context

ChargePoint enters the last quarter facing a policy landscape defined by threats and emerging opportunities. The Trump administration’s freeze on roughly $3 billion in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding represents the most immediate threat, though a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction ordering the administration to lift its funding freeze.

Congressional Republicans, led by figures like Rep. Tony Wied, actively push to eliminate federal charging programs. Clean energy tax credits established by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) remain vulnerable to legislative action.

Yet national security concerns create potential leverage. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Rep. John Moolenaar called for investigation into Autel Energy, a Chinese EV charging startup, citing data collection capabilities and grid vulnerabilities.

Between The Lines

Congressional opposition intensifies even as courts intervene to preserve funding. Democratic delegations from New Hampshire, Arizona, and other states highlight millions in grants for new charging ports in their districts.

The competitive landscape is intensifying. Tesla dominates fast-charger deployment, adding 1,820 new ports in Q3 2025 compared to ChargePoint’s 300 ports. Chinese competitors now pose distinct competitive and policy threats, with senators calling for federal investigation into Autel Energy over national security concerns.

Competitive Landscape

The EV charging policy space features multiple competitors with similar lobbying priorities. TeraWatt Infrastructure Inc., EVSTAR LLC, and ABB E-Mobility Inc. are also actively lobbying on IIJA and IRA implementation.

The global charging equipment market is projected to expand substantially, growing from $28.47 billion in 2025 to $76.31 billion by 2032. This emerging concern over foreign ownership creates potential political advantages for U.S.-based competitors like ChargePoint positioned as secure, domestic alternatives.

The Bottom Line

ChargePoint Inc. hired Holland & Knight LLP for $60,000 in the fourth to defend federal EV charging programs facing legislative repeal threats. The engagement team brings relevant congressional experience, particularly Molly Ryan Ross‘s Senate Appropriations Committee work and Gregory M. Louer‘s nine years representing ChargePoint specifically.

One strategic opportunity has emerged: bipartisan concern over Chinese EV charging companies creates an opening for ChargePoint to position itself as a secure domestic alternative, potentially attracting Republican support on national security grounds rather than climate rationale. The engagement signals ChargePoint expects prolonged legislative combat over federal EV infrastructure funding in the 119th Congress.

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