As part of a settlement for its diesel emissions scandal, Volkswagen is required to invest $2 billion in promoting zero-emission vehicles. The company is currently completing the initial phase of this initiative, named “Electrify America.”
In the first of four 30-month investment cycles worth $300 million each, Electrify America will primarily concentrate on establishing charging stations for electric vehicles, as outlined on the program’s website. The allocated $300 million will be directed towards infrastructure projects outside of California, as Volkswagen has separate agreements for the state that involve four $200 million investment cycles, also spanning 30 months each.
During this first investment cycle outside California, Volkswagen aims to install 240 charging station sites along key highway routes. Each station is expected to feature four to ten DC fast-charging outlets, capable of delivering charges at rates of 150-320 kilowatts, making these stations among the most powerful available. [No pun intended. —Ed.] Importantly, the company states that electric vehicles from other manufacturers will also have access to these stations.
Charging stations will be positioned in 39 states, aligning closely with the EV Charging Corridor routes established by the federal government during the Obama administration. The stations will be located, on average, every 66 miles, ensuring that none are more than 120 miles apart. This network is intended to facilitate long-distance travel, similar to Tesla’s Supercharger stations, which are limited to Tesla vehicle owners.
Beyond the highway stations, the first phase of Electrify America will include over 300 community-oriented charging sites. These will be created in 11 metropolitan areas and will incorporate a combination of DC fast-charging stations as well as slower Level 2 AC chargers with rates of 50-150 kW. While the Level 2 stations will have longer charging times, they will be strategically located where cars are likely to be parked for extended periods, such as workplaces, shopping malls, public garages, and apartment complexes.
The cities being targeted by Volkswagen for this initiative include Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, Raleigh, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. The charging infrastructure in these urban areas will cater more to short-distance trips, aligning with how urban residents typically utilize electric vehicles.
Volkswagen is also advancing its efforts in California, which encompass a greater number of charging stations, educational programs, and a “Green City” initiative designed to highlight alternatives to existing transportation infrastructures. The California Air Resources Board is responsible for approving the state’s plan, while the Environmental Protection Agency oversees the plan spanning the remaining 39 states.
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