Volkswagen Group of America informed a U.S. subsidiary that will handle $2 billion in investments in zero no emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure and awareness programs over years as part of a court settlement on its known diesel emissions.
Volkswagen said the unit plans to set up over 500 charging stations in the country, consisting of more than 300 stations in 15 metro locations, and to establish a high-speed, cross-country network including over 200 stations for electrical vehicles. The automaker stated it has not decided on a business model for the charging stations.
Volkswagen will likewise introduce a “Green City” effort in a California city to pilot future concepts, consisting of potentially a ZEV-based shuttle service, an EV-based car-sharing program or a ZEV transit program.
Volkswagen named long-time auto executive Mark McNabb as president of Electrify America. McNabb has overseen the diesel settlement program and will continue to do so in his new function.
“It is a really quick and furious task,” McNabb stated in an interview, including that the push to broaden EVs is “an opportunity to transform a market. How many times in life do you get that opportunity?”
The automaker will make four $500 million investments every 30 months and should get approval from the California Air Resources Board and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for spending.
Volkswagen should send draft strategies to regulators on the first funding plan by February 22.
