Confusing Indicators

Amid recent media reports that President Trump is planning to issue an executive order aimed at expanding offshore drilling opportunities for petroleum exploration and production companies – opportunities that had been restricted by the Obama administration – Volkswagen ("VW"), one of the world's largest automobile manufacturers, has announced its plans for investing the first $500 million of the $2 billion that it is required by court order (associated with the diesel emissions litigation) to invest in zero emission vehicle ("ZEV") infrastructure.

Of the $500 million, $200 million would be invested in California, and the other $300 million elsewhere in the United States. Virtually all of the $500 million would be spent on the installation of charging stations, according to VW. Under VW's plan, the chargers would be located on highways spanning 39 states and separately in 16 metropolitan areas. Reportedly, VW's plans call for 1,100 fast charging stations to be