Volkswagen Collaborates With The Tennessee Valley Authority
Photo credit: Volkswagen
Volkswagen brings good news by announcing a collaboration with Tennessee Valley Authority since the corporation aims to operate a large fleet of all-electric sedans and SUVs by 2030. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee the TVA service area covers portions of Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, small areas of Georgia, North Carolina, and the entire Tennessee area.
To achieve its goal of replacing the fleet of gasoline-powered vehicles with approximately 400 light-duty electric vehicles and 800 medium-duty electric vehicles that will additionally deploy 300 charging stations at each TVA location, as one of its first steps TVA has decided to work with Volkswagen to conduct year-long trials using the ID.4 EV which will aim to analyze the usage applications and capabilities of the ID.4 SUV. In addition, as part of these tests, Volkswagen will perform the modification of one of the production models and temporarily Volkswagen will deliver to TVA an ID.4 SUV upgraded with Volkswagen components and other accessories.
“TVA is at the forefront of electric vehicle adoption, and with partners like Volkswagen we are moving faster and faster together to accelerate the use of electricity in all sectors of the economy to realize our carbon-free vision.” Announced Don Moul, executive vice president, and chief operating officer of TVA.
The ID.4 a “Mobile Drone Response Vehicle” will have TVA test dummies inside the vehicle as drivers to put the SUV through real-life scenarios. The vehicle will be equipped with a drone storage unit in the trunk and field equipment, as well as a portable power plant. Versatility is boosted by the Thule Caprock platform roof rack, which is complemented by a Thule retractable side tarpaulin. New paths are opened for the SUV thanks to the implementation of 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. While thanks to its heavy-duty suspension the SUV manages to carry the weight of additional equipment. Those who operate the vehicle can have clearer visibility thanks to its digital rearview mirror.
Volkswagen also unveiled a second ID.4 SUV to commemorate the great partnership with TVA, and the second ID.4 will come equipped with 18-inch wheels that feature heavy-duty tires all around, the SUV will also feature Volkswagen roof rack bars and a Thule branded seat. This is not the only time TVA has acquired vehicles from Volkswagen to research electric mobility. In 1978 TVA was selected as the lead service company for performance testing and demonstration of electric vehicles by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). Volkswagen produced a total of approximately 70 electric vans for research purposes. For the RP 1136-5 project for which five Volkswagen kombi vans and five 8-passenger buses were purchased.
Volkswagen’s first all-electric SUV was the ID.4, which is also the first EV to reach the brand’s global level. The automaker’s ID.4 has a similar structure to that of its MEB electric vehicles, features an electric drive matrix, and demonstrates the strengths of a vehicle that contains good performance, packaging, and value, elements that have characterized the brand for years. The compact SUV is one of the largest segments in the world and has its production in Germany, China, and Chattanooga which is located at one of Volkswagen’s assembly facilities, in which the ID.4 has managed to enter to compete.
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