Volkswagen collaborating on network of express-charging stations

Published January 22, 2015 by Robert Powell, III

Herndon-based Volkswagen of America is partnering with BMW of North America and ChargePoint, an electric-vehicle charging network, on a plan to create express-charging corridors along heavily-traveled routes along the East and West coasts.

The initiative would place fast-charging stations about 50 miles apart, with the intent of encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles.

The East Coast route for the charging stations will be on Interstate 95 from the Washington, D.C., area to Boston.

“Volkswagen believes in a holistic approach to e-mobility in order to create a seamless experience for the consumer,” Jörg Sommer, vice president, product marketing and strategy at Volkswagen of America, said in a statement. “The investment in the express charging corridor will provide e-Golf and other electric vehicle owners with the added support to travel their day-to-day and popular long distance routes.”

The goal is to install a total of nearly 100 direct-current chargers on the coasts, with plans to later expand the program across the country.

The new installed chargers will be added to ChargePoint’s existing network of more than 20,000 charging spots in North America.

“A robust network of conveniently located DC Fast charging stations will go a long way toward increasing electric vehicle adoption and making electric vehicle ownership even more enjoyable,” Robert Healey, head of EV Infrastructure at BMW of North America, said in a statement.

Currently, more than 280,000 electric vehicles are sold in the United States.

The West Coast charging station route will extend from San Diego to Portland, Ore. West Coast installations already have begun, with the first taking place in California’s San Diego County.

The chargers will be available at a variety of locations, including restaurants, shopping centers and rest stops.