Press Release

VW’s electric ‘offensive’ must be matched by infrastructure and green taxation

March 12, 2019

Today’s announcement by the Volkswagen Group that it plans to sell 70 electric models and make 22 million electric vehicles in the next decade is a game changer for the automotive industry, Europe’s federation of green transport NGOs has said. While the plan is not perfect it is a clear indication of the future of carmaking and governments should now put in place green taxation and charging infrastructure to aid the transition, Transport & Environment (T&E) commented.

The group also says it will install 400 fast-charging stations across Europe and has selected four suppliers of battery cells for its vehicles. The commitment to making 70 new electric models is an increase on its previous plan to manufacture 50. Previously VW had also said it would kill development of the internal combustion engine after 2026.

William Todts, executive director at T&E, said: “This is the first credible climate plan by a major automaker. Volkswagen’s focus on affordable battery electric cars is right, and its admission that the Paris Agreement and the internal combustion engine don’t add up is a breakthrough. Now it’s time for governments to make sure taxes are reformed and ensure charging infrastructure is built so we can deliver the rapid transition to electric cars that the climate crisis requires.”

However, VW says it will “compensate” for remaining emissions that cannot be avoided. T&E said it is crucial that the group does not rely on paying for offsetting projects in other sectors while it goes on emitting.