Volkswagen to spend $300 million more on electric vehicle network, eyeing spring building start for Chattanooga plant

Staff photo by Mike Pare / VW subsidiary Electrify America continues to build out its electric vehicle charging network nationally. The company has an EV station at the Walmart in Ooltewah. Staff photo by Mike Pare / VW subsidiary Electrify America continues to build out its electric vehicle charging network nationally. The company has an EV station at the Walmart in Ooltewah.

By Mike Pare February 13, 2019 3 min read

POWERING UP

Electrify America has 105 electric vehicle charging sites with 465 chargers which are operational and open to the public nationwide so far.

While Volkswagen eyes a spring start to building a Chattanooga electric vehicle plant, a subsidiary that’s putting up a nationwide charging network plans to spend another $300 million.

Also, a top Ford official has told CNBC that it’s increasingly unlikely the American automaker and VW will work together on electric vehicles.

VW last month unveiled plans for an $800 million factory to build battery-powered vehicles next to its existing plant, and its Electrify America subsidiary now said it will focus new spending on growing its charging infrastructure in 18 metro areas, including Atlanta.

Electrify America spokesman Mike Moran said the biggest concern among EV drivers is the worry they won’t get to their next travel point before running short of power.