VW’s Electrify America Invests $200M in Fast Charging Initiative

Electrify America is investing $200 million toward the construction and education of zero emission vehicle (ZEV) technology as part of the organization’s next phase toward the establishment of more DC fast charging stations.

The organization’s Cycle 2 California ZEV Investment Plan, which was submitted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), will take place over a 30 month period and will begin in July 2019, according to a release from the organization. The investment will build on Electrify America’s initial priorities and expand into new areas, where the need for electric vehicle charging stations and technology are greatest or are most likely to be used regularly.

Consistent with the guidance of CARB, Electrify America will seek to ensure that 35% of Cycle 2 investments are in low-income or disadvantaged communities, according to a release.

The upcoming EV investment plan, as well as the current one that began on Jan. 1, 2017, plans on continuing to support these Californian communities: Riverside; San Bernardino; Santa Cruz; Watsonville; Santa Rosa; Fresno; Los Angeles; Long Beach; Anaheim; Sacramento; Roseville; Arden; Arcade; San Diego; Carlsbad; San Francisco; Oakland; Hayward; San Jose; Sunnyvale; and Santa Clara, Electrify America has said. These metro areas are expected to account for 89% of expected battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in operation through 2022, according to a 2017 Navigant report.

The fast charging stations will be placed in retail locations but also consider the needs of adjacent multi-unit dwellings where level two residential charging deployment is oftentimes challenging.

The current phase of Electrify America’s ZEV investment will end on June 30, 2019. Cycle 2 will begin July 2019 and end at the end of 2021.