RESTON, VA — Electrify America — the Volkswagen unit building a national network of electric car charging stations — has handed its public relations assignment to a joint Zeno Group/Compass Communications team.

As Electrify America’s first public relations agency of record, the communications team is charged with bolstering the public’s awareness about zero-emissions vehicles, or ZEVs, through educational and other kinds of campaigns.

Volkswagen created Electrify America, which is investing $2bn over 10 years in building the car-charging network, in 2017 as part of its settlement with federal regulators after the German automaker admitted to rigging its diesel-powered vehicles to cheat on emissions tests.

The assignment will also include promoting the advancements in car-charging technology and the growing infrastructure that makes widespread use of electric vehicles feasible. Zeno and Compass will partner on a range of branded and brand-neutral public relations efforts including media relations, corporate communications and digital outreach.

“The joint Zeno-Compass team impressed us with powerful strategists and creative ideas that will help us bring zero emissions vehicle awareness to consumers as they make mobility choices now and in the future,” said Electrify America head of communications Mike Moran. “The team has a proven track record in the transportation and tech fields, and we are confident that they will broaden general ZEV awareness across the country while promoting the incredible number of station installations we have coming over the next several years.”

Electrify America’s charging stations will be accessible to vehicles of all brands. The organization plans to install or have under construction 484 charging station sites with more than 2,000 ultra-fast chargers by July 2019. By the end of 2021, Electrify’s charging stations will be located in 29 metro areas in 46 states.