U.S., Aug. 3 -- Volkswagen subsidiary Elli, a charging infrastructure company, has announced it has acquired a minority stake in has to be, a German charging station software provider.

The partnership has been formed with the intention of expanding the charging network in Europe in anticipation of the growing market. Has to be already provides software for some of the Volkswagen Group's stations.

"Simple and convenient charging is essential for the rapid breakthrough of e-mobility," said Thomas Ulbrich, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand responsible for E-Mobility. "We not only need more charging stations; they must also be networked and function in an intelligent way. Charging an electric car must be just as comm...