News: Volkswagen’s Electrify America will Install EV Chargers at Target and Walmart

Destination Charging Expands Across the Country

Volkswagen recently announced that Electrify America would build ultrafast EV charging stations at more than 100 Walmart locations around the country in 34 states by mid-2019.

Now, they have added that Electrify America will install 600 more chargers at 100 Target locations in 20 states within two years. This brings the total number to 2,000 chargers in 500 charging stations across the country.

VW is spending the money to build a nationwide clean car infrastructure as part of its agreement after admitting to diesel emissions cheating. The Target and Walmart investments together are Electrify America’s first cycle, a $500 million investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, education and access in the U.S. Volkswagen plans to complete three more investment cycles over the next ten years, for a total of $2 billion.

Mark Vanderhelm, vice president of energy for Walmart, Inc, said, “Providing this service is the right thing to do for our customers, our business, and the environment.”

Per John Leisen, vice president, property management, Target, is also offsetting a portion of energy needs with solar and wind power. They are working towards 500 stores with rooftop panels by 2020, and the company will eventually use 100 percent renewable energy.

If charging is more easily available, this should encourage more people to buy or lease an electric car.