Statement: Electrify America to double its electric vehicle charging stations by 2025

Electrify America, funded by Volkswagen as punishment for its emissions cheating scandal, announced on Tuesday that it would more than double its network of electric vehicle charging stations by 2025. Already the largest fast-charging network in the United States, the company will operate over 1,800 fast chargers and 10,000 individual charging stations across nearly all 50 states following the expansion.

PIRG and Environment America have worked for years to hold VW accountable for its emissions cheating and ensure that settlement money is used to further the public interest and reduce transportation emissions. 

In response, experts from PIRG and Environment America issued the following statements:

“Switching to electric vehicles is essential to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and cleaning up our air,” said PIRG Transportation Advocate John Stout. “Even as electric car models are improving, with the latest generation able to go up to 300 miles on a single charge, expanding access to public charging stations, especially fast chargers, will help people feel more comfortable about buying electric cars.

“Transportation is the number one source of warming emissions in the United States, and the majority come from everyday cars and trucks.” said Environment America Global Warming Solutions Associate Eve Lukens-Day. “Climate change is happening now: last month was the hottest June ever recorded in the U.S., and even worse heatwaves are expected later this summer. Electrify America’s latest expansion plan starts us on a longer road toward making the investment in electric vehicle infrastructure that’s needed to stop climate change.”