Volkswagen and partners pushing materials, EV charging innovations in Tennessee

Volkswagen announced recently that its three-year-old Innovation Hub in Knoxville, Tenn., is making major gains in lightweighting, EV wireless charging and sustainable interior materials. Volkswagen's Innovation Hub specializes in applied materials science and frequently collaborates with neighbors the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Lab.

“We are accelerating innovation with electric vehicles and contributing more to sustainable transportation in America by focusing our efforts on some of the most transformative automotive research being done in the country,” said Pablo Di SI, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, in a release. He said that the research partnerships are a “unique blend of world-class academic research and Volkswagen's leading industry capabilities.”