CNET ROAD SHOW
By Andrew Krok
When Volkswagen agreed to a landmark $15 billion settlement in the wake of its diesel malfeasance, part of that settlement involved promoting the use of next-gen propulsion technology. Now, we’re seeing it start to pan out.
Electrify America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Group of America, is set to invest $300 million in a network of electric-vehicle chargers. It hopes to create hundreds of stations with “non-proprietary” chargers in 11 different urban markets, including stations along popular highway corridors. It’s the first stage of a deployment meant to boost demand for electric vehicles.
“Electrify America aims to establish one of the largest, most technically advanced and customer-friendly charging networks in the US,” said Mark McNabb, CEO of Electrify America, in a statement. “Our investments will make it easier and faster for millions of Americans to charge their electric vehicles while encouraging more drivers to explore and embrace electric driving.”