Volkswagen of America, arm of German automobile major Volkswagen, has partnered with renewable energy and carbon offset services provider 3Degrees for carbon reduction drive in California and Texas, while pumping in $10m to boost its charging infrastructure in the US.
On one hand, as part of the carbon reduction initiative, the company will seek to balance greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from the production and distribution of the zero-tailpipe 2015 e-Golf and its driving up to around 36,000 miles.
On the other hand, the investment in the charging infrastructure is aimed at generating awareness for electric vehicles in the US.
Initially, 100 DC fast chargers across the east and west coasts in the US will be put in place, adding to the 28,000 charging units under ChargePoint network, established in association with Volkswagen of America and BMW of North America.
Volkswagen of America vice president of product marketing Joerg Sommer said: "Volkswagen feels it is important to look beyond the benefits of driving a vehicle without tailpipe emissions and to take a holistic approach to e-mobility."
"The carbon offset program is a key element of Volkswagen's holistic approach to e-Mobility. e-Golf customers can drive the vehicle confidently, knowing Volkswagen is addressing the vehicle's environmental impacts through many stages of its lifecycle from production, distribution and charging."
The initiatives under carbon offset programs include Garcia River forestry project, Big River and Salmon Creek Forests and McKinney landfill.
3Degrees president Steve McDougal said: "Volkswagen is showing leadership by including carbon offsets as standard with this e-Golf electric vehicle.
"As more people choose low and no emission cars, Volkswagen is making it possible -- and easy -- to think comprehensively about the greenhouse gas emissions profile of a vehicle."
Moreover, Volkswagen has engaged the services of ChargePoint for providing its e-Golf drivers access to the network of public electric vehicles charging stations and help navigate to charging stations via ChargePoint mobile app.
Besides, the automaker has selected Bosch Automotive Service Solutions to provide services for charging station and installation for the e-Golf and the latter will provide a 240-volt charging unit, Power Max for e-Golf drivers.
