Electrify America

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A Volkswagen-backed electric-vehicle fast-charging network operating primarily in the United States.

Last updated October 21, 2026

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First read: Oct 29, 2026
Latest read: Nov 2, 2026

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Overview

Electrify America is an electric-vehicle charging-network company established by Volkswagen in the aftermath of the Volkswagen diesel-emissions scandal. Its creation formed part of Volkswagen's 2016 settlement with United States authorities, under which the automaker committed approximately $2 billion over ten years to support zero-emission vehicle adoption and charging infrastructure. The business was designed to operate at arm's length from Volkswagen's vehicle brands and to provide public charging for electric vehicles from multiple manufacturers. The brand was publicly introduced in January 2017, and its first charging station opened in May 2018 in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Electrify America subsequently developed a nationwide network concentrated at shopping centers, big-box retail locations, parking facilities, travel corridors, and other sites where drivers can charge while shopping or traveling. Location relationships have included Walmart, Target, and Simon Property Group. By August 2024, the network had more than 950 stations and more than 4,250 direct-current fast-charging connectors in the United States. Its public network supports the Combined Charging System (CCS) and CHAdeMO standards. Chargers are generally rated from 50 kilowatts to as much as 350 kilowatts, although delivered power varies according to the vehicle, battery state, site capacity, and other operating conditions. The network supports Plug & Charge at compatible vehicles and stations. Pricing is commonly based on the amount of energy dispensed, though some jurisdictions use time-based pricing because of local utility regulation. Selected locations also impose idle fees after a vehicle has finished charging. Electrify America has expanded beyond public charging. In 2021 it introduced Electrify Commercial, a business serving fleets, utilities, government agencies, travel centers, convenience stores, and other commercial customers with charging equipment, installation, software, and operating and maintenance services. The company also operates or supports Electrify Canada, a related charging-network presence in Canada. In 2022 Siemens invested $450 million for a minority stake, providing Electrify America with an external shareholder while Volkswagen remained the controlling owner. The company has faced sustained criticism over charger reliability, maintenance, payment-system failures, broken displays, unavailable dispensers, and instances in which stations deliver less power than their advertised maximum. These complaints have often been made in comparisons with Tesla's Supercharger network and have contributed to broader debate about whether charging companies have prioritized network expansion over upkeep. In response, Electrify America announced a $172 million California program in December 2023 to replace or upgrade 600 charging stalls. The company has also deployed newer-generation equipment and participated in regional infrastructure partnerships, including a collaboration with Rocky Mountain Power in Utah. Electrify America announced plans to begin adding North American Charging System connectors from 2025, reflecting the changing connector landscape in North America.

History

Electrify America's origins lie in the Volkswagen diesel-emissions controversy that emerged in 2015. United States regulators accused Volkswagen of using software defeat devices to make certain diesel vehicles appear compliant during laboratory testing while emitting substantially more nitrogen oxides in ordinary driving. The controversy produced criminal, civil, and regulatory consequences, including vehicle buybacks, penalties, and court-approved settlement obligations. Under a 2016 consent decree with United States authorities, Volkswagen agreed to devote approximately $2 billion over ten years to measures intended to encourage zero-emission vehicle adoption. A central element was the creation of a large public electric-vehicle charging network. Volkswagen formed Electrify America in late 2016 to execute that infrastructure program. Although the business was established by Volkswagen, its mission was framed around supporting electric mobility across vehicle brands rather than serving only Volkswagen customers. The Electrify America name and first phase of its network were introduced in January 2017. Initial development focused on high-power DC charging in metropolitan areas and along major travel routes, with many sites placed at retail centers and parking facilities. The first station opened in Chicopee, Massachusetts, in May 2018. Expansion continued through agreements with national retailers and property owners, including Walmart, Target, and Simon Property Group. This site strategy gave drivers access to charging near shopping and other everyday destinations while allowing the network to build a broad geographic footprint. Electrify America supports CCS and CHAdeMO connectors and has installed chargers with rated outputs ranging from 50 kW to 350 kW. Actual charging performance depends on vehicle architecture, battery temperature and state of charge, site power, and other technical factors. The network introduced features such as Plug & Charge for compatible vehicles and uses a mixture of energy-based and time-based pricing depending on state rules. At selected locations, idle fees encourage drivers to move vehicles after charging is complete. The company broadened its activities in January 2021 with Electrify Commercial. This division provides charging hardware and related services to commercial fleets, utilities, government bodies, travel centers, convenience stores, and other customers. Its scope includes project design, equipment, installation, software, operations, and maintenance. Electrify America also developed a Canadian network under the Electrify Canada name, extending the group's charging activities beyond the United States. In June 2022, Siemens became Electrify America's first external investor, investing $450 million for a minority stake at a reported valuation of $2.45 billion. Volkswagen Group of America continued to control the company. The investment connected Electrify America with a major industrial and infrastructure technology partner while supporting the network's further development. Growth was accompanied by criticism. Consumers and commentators repeatedly reported nonfunctional dispensers, damaged screens, payment problems, charging sessions that stopped unexpectedly, and equipment delivering less than its nominal power. Comparisons with Tesla's Supercharger network intensified the criticism, while the broader US charging sector faced complaints that new construction had received more attention than maintenance and uptime. Electrify America responded with hardware refreshes and operational programs, including a December 2023 announcement of $172 million for replacing or upgrading 600 California stalls. Its 2024 California reporting described deployment of next-generation chargers and progress on additional sites. The company has also participated in regional utility partnerships. In 2023, Electrify Commercial announced an agreement with Rocky Mountain Power to provide fast-charging equipment and related project services in Utah. The first stations under that collaboration opened in Millcreek and Vernal in June 2024, with a further site in Moab following in July. Electrify America has additionally planned to add North American Charging System connectors from 2025, responding to the growing adoption of that connector standard in North America. As of August 2024, its US network exceeded 950 stations and 4,250 DC fast-charging connectors.

2024
Network exceeds 950 US stations
[1]Electrify Americaen.wikipedia.org
The company reported more than 950 stations and over 4,250 DC fast-charging connectors in the United States as of August.
2023
California reliability investment announced
[1]Electrify Americaen.wikipedia.org
Electrify America announced a $172 million program to replace or upgrade 600 charging stalls in California.
2022
Siemens becomes minority shareholder
[1]Electrify Americaen.wikipedia.org
Siemens invested $450 million for a minority stake in Electrify America.
2021
Electrify Commercial introduced
[1]Electrify Americaen.wikipedia.org
The company created a commercial charging division for fleets, utilities, government agencies, and other business customers.
2018
First station opens
[1]Electrify Americaen.wikipedia.org
The first Electrify America station began operating in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
2017
Electrify America brand unveiled
[1]Electrify Americaen.wikipedia.org
Volkswagen introduced the brand and announced the first phase of its charging-network buildout.
2016
Company established under Volkswagen emissions settlement
[1]Electrify Americaen.wikipedia.org
Volkswagen established Electrify America to deliver a major public charging network as part of its United States diesel-emissions settlement obligations.

Products and positioning

A large, manufacturer-neutral fast-charging network positioned around highway coverage, retail convenience, charging speed, and increasingly integrated commercial infrastructure services.

Public EV charging · 2017
Electrify America public charging network
A nationwide network of public DC fast-charging stations primarily located at retail properties, parking facilities, travel corridors, and other high-traffic destinations. The network supports CCS and CHAdeMO connectors, with station ratings generally ranging from 50 kW to 350 kW. Compatible vehicles can use Plug & Charge, while pricing and idle-fee policies vary by location and jurisdiction.
Commercial charging infrastructure · 2021
Electrify Commercial
A business-to-business offering for fleets, utilities, government agencies, travel centers, convenience stores, and other organizations. Services can cover charging equipment, project design, installation, software, ongoing operations, and maintenance, allowing customers to procure more complete charging deployments rather than individual public charging sessions.
Public EV charging
Electrify Canada
The related Canadian charging-network operation associated with Electrify America's broader North American infrastructure strategy. It extends the group's fast-charging presence into Canada while using the same general model of public, high-power charging for drivers of compatible electric vehicles.

Controversies

2015
Volkswagen diesel-emissions scandal
Electrify America was created as part of Volkswagen's response to the emissions scandal involving defeat devices in diesel vehicles. The resulting United States settlement required major investment in zero-emission vehicle infrastructure.
Source
Charging reliability and maintenance criticism
Electrify America has received repeated criticism over broken or unavailable chargers, faulty screens and payment systems, maintenance delays, and charging speeds below rated capacity. These issues have affected customer confidence and prompted equipment replacement and upgrade programs.
Source

2023Rocky Mountain Power Utah charging partnership
Utah, United States
Electrify Commercial partnered with Rocky Mountain Power to provide fast-charging equipment, installation, operations, and maintenance for selected Utah projects.
Outcome. The first associated stations opened in Millcreek and Vernal in June 2024, followed by a Moab location in July.
Source
2017Electrify America network rollout
United States
The initial brand campaign and construction program introduced Electrify America as a manufacturer-neutral public charging network created to support wider electric-vehicle adoption.
Outcome. The rollout developed into one of the largest US DC fast-charging networks.
Source

Brand decisions

2025
Plan North American Charging System connector additionsGeneration change
Background
The North American connector market was changing as more vehicle manufacturers adopted or supported the North American Charging System standard.
Action taken
Electrify America planned to begin adding NACS connectors to its network while continuing to support existing connector types.
Aftermath
The decision was expected to broaden compatibility for newer electric vehicles using NACS connections.
Source
2023
Upgrade California charging stallsOther
Background
Poor station reliability and maintenance performance generated customer criticism, particularly at older California sites.
Action taken
Electrify America announced a program to replace or upgrade 600 California charging stalls and subsequently reported deployment of newer-generation equipment.
Aftermath
The program targeted the network's earlier expansion waves and was intended to improve uptime and charging performance.
Announced upgrade investment. $172 million (Announced December 2023)
Source
2022
Accept Siemens minority investmentM&A
Background
Electrify America sought additional capital and an industrial infrastructure partner while remaining controlled by Volkswagen.
Action taken
Siemens invested $450 million for a minority stake.
Aftermath
Siemens became the company's first external investor, with Electrify America reported at a $2.45 billion valuation.
Minority investment. $450 million (June 2022)
Source
2021
Enter commercial charging servicesStrategy
Background
Charging demand was expanding beyond individual drivers to fleets, utilities, government agencies, and commercial property operators.
Action taken
Electrify America launched Electrify Commercial with equipment, installation, software, operations, and maintenance services.
Aftermath
The brand expanded from a public charging operator into a provider of customized charging infrastructure projects.
Source
2016
Create a manufacturer-neutral charging companyStrategy
Background
Volkswagen needed to satisfy settlement obligations requiring investment in United States zero-emission vehicle infrastructure after the diesel-emissions controversy.
Action taken
It established Electrify America to build and operate a public charging network intended to serve electric vehicles broadly rather than only Volkswagen vehicles.
Aftermath
The company became a major US DC fast-charging operator and a visible component of Volkswagen's emissions-settlement response.
Committed infrastructure investment. $2 billion (Over ten years under the 2016 United States settlement)
Source

Recent events

2021-03-18
Volkswagen announces expansion of EV charging infrastructure[3]Volkswagen宣布扩大电动汽车充电基础设施africaleader.com
Volkswagen announced plans to expand its electric-vehicle charging infrastructure, including operating public fast-charging points in Europe, North America and China. The announced targets were 18,000 in Europe by 2025, 3,500 in North America by the end of 2021 and 17,000 in China by 2025.
2021-03-04
Electrify America rolls out redesigned mobile app[4]Electrify America推出重新设计的移动应用insideevs.com
Reported: 2021-03-04
Electrify America rolled out a redesigned version of its mobile app, with updated account creation, station information, charging guidance and contactless payment features. The app also added management of the company's HomeStation residential charger.
2021-02-24
Electrify America introduces HomeStation charger[5]Electrify America推出HomeStation充电器carscoops.com
Reported: 2021-02-24
Electrify America introduced HomeStation, a $649 Level 2 home charger with charging rates of up to 9.6 kW.
2020-09-16
Electrify America introduces a new EV charging pricing structure[6]Electrify America推出新的电动汽车充电定价结构prnewswire.com
Reported: 2020-09-16
Electrify America introduced a new charging pricing structure, offering per-kilowatt-hour pricing in 23 states and the District of Columbia, reduced per-minute rates in other states where it operates, and eliminating session fees.
2020-04-08
Electrify America and Kia introduce Kia Select charging pricing[7]Electrify America与Kia推出Kia Select充电定价方案insideevs.com
Reported: 2020-04-08
Electrify America and Kia Motors America announced the Kia Select program for Kia Niro EV drivers in the United States. It offers a flat rate of 35 cents per minute, waives session fees, and has no subscription fee; the program is scheduled to remain in effect through December 31, 2020.
2019-11-20
BYTON and Electrify America announce U.S. charging partnership[8]BYTON与Electrify America宣布美国充电合作insideevs.com
Reported: 2019-11-20
BYTON and Electrify America announced a U.S. partnership providing BYTON owners complimentary unlimited charging sessions on Electrify America’s network for two years.
Unconfirmed
Audi partners with Electrify America on charging[9]奥迪与 Electrify America 合作提供充电服务abc7.com
Reported: 2019-11-12
Audi partnered with Electrify America, a network of ultra-fast public charging stations; Audi e-tron buyers receive their first 1,000 kilowatt-hours of charging free via Audi.
2019-10-18
Ford partners with Electrify America on EV charging access[10]Ford与Electrify America合作提供电动汽车充电服务cleantechnica.com
Reported: 2019-10-18
Ford partnered with Electrify America to provide future customers of Ford’s all-electric Mustang-inspired SUV with public fast-charging access through Electrify America’s network. Ford customers will be able to manage charging through FordPass and the vehicle touchscreen.
2019-10-17
Ford introduces the FordPass Charging Network[11]福特推出FordPass充电网络engadget.com
Reported: 2019-10-17
Ford introduced the FordPass Charging Network, which it said includes 12,000 charging stations and more than 35,000 plugs in North America. Customers who buy its upcoming electric vehicles will receive two years of complimentary network access, although charging itself is not free.
2019-10-17
Ford teams up with Volkswagen and Amazon on EV charging options[12]福特与大众及亚马逊合作提供电动汽车充电选择iol.co.za
Reported: 2019-10-18
Ford said it was teaming up with Volkswagen and Amazon to provide future electric-car customers with charging options from highways to homes. The network was to include charging stations set up by Volkswagen’s Electrify America, while Ford was also working with Amazon on home charging installations.

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