Volkswagen Asked To Build Electric Charging Stations In Poor Areas In The US

The California legislators have asked Volkswagen to build charging stations in some of the poorer communities.

By Rajkamal

Published: Friday, June 16, 2017, 10:33 [IST]

The California legislators have asked Volkswagen to build charging stations in some of the poorer communities where electric mobility is being promoted. The carmaker was asked to spend some of its clean car funds in these areas as part of a budget package agreed with Governor Jerry Brown.

Volkswagen previously said it would support clean cars by investing $800 million in California. The carmaker is expected to spend an overall investment of $2 billion in the US.

VW's Electrify America project is drawing the attention of critics too, saying the investment could give Volkswagen an advantage over other electric car and charging station manufacturers, if poorer parts of the communities are ignored.

The German carmaker has proposed spending $120 million on 400 highways and communities for EV charging stations. These areas have a high density of electric vehicles and are places where rivals wanted to set up charging stations.

The Air Resources Board asked Volkswagen to make every attempt to invest 35 percent of the first 30-month investment in disadvantaged communities that are affected by air pollution.