The Scottish Government has announced that it has reopened the 2nd round of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB2), allocating up to £40m to revisit a previously unsuccessful bid led by Rock Road. This move could fund up to 300 additional zero-emission buses across Scotland. Rock Road had initially placed second to Zenobe, which received £41.7 million in the 1st round. The reopening allows other organisations not part of the original Zenobe-led bid to join Rock Road’s consortium. This funding aims to support Scotland’s transition to a zero-emission transport network. Alongside the reopening of ScotZEB2, the Scottish Government is also exploring the possibility of introducing regulations that would ban the registration of new buses that are not zero-emission, starting from a date no earlier than 2030. The government highlights ScotZEB2’s role in leveraging private investment, supporting jobs, and improving air quality.
Spain released data indicating that its new-car market saw a 17.1% YoY growth in July 2025, marking its 5th consecutive month of double-digit improvement, driven largely by surging EV sales. Private and corporate channels led the charge, with registrations rising 23.6% and 18.1% respectively, while rental sales declined. EVs accounted for 21.4% of total market share in July, with plug-in hybrid registrations soaring 178.9% and battery-electric vehicles up 127.1%. YTD, EV deliveries rose 92.3%, supported by the MOVES III incentive scheme. Hybrids also performed strongly, capturing 40.7% of July’s market despite a slight slowdown. Spain’s total new-car registrations reached 708,139 units so far in 2025, a 14.3% increase over last year, though still 14% below pre-pandemic levels. Industry leaders stressed the importance of maintaining this momentum to support domestic production and to meet the full-year target of 1.1 million registrations.
Lyten has announced it has acquired key assets from Northvolt in Sweden and Germany for c.$5bn, thus significantly expanding its lithium-sulphur battery production capabilities. The deal includes operational and under-construction facilities at Northvolt Ett, Ett Expansion, Northvolt Labs, and Northvolt Drei, along with all remaining IP. These assets add 16 GWh of operational capacity and over 15 GWh under construction, with plans to scale to 100 GWh. Lyten aims to restart operations immediately and rehire much of Northvolt’s laid-off workforce, preserving local expertise and jobs. This acquisition aligns with Lyten’s mission to deliver clean, locally manufactured batteries for energy independence, national security, and AI data centre needs. The company is also pursuing Northvolt Six in Quebec, Canada, further expanding its North American footprint. Lyten’s (proprietary) 3D Graphene platform and over 540 patents position it as a leader in sustainable energy storage. The acquisition strengthens its presence in Europe and supports its broader strategy. With backing from private equity and collaboration with European governments, Lyten is poised to become a dominant force in the global battery market, driving innovation and sustainability.
Zoox (Amazon’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary) has announced it has received a key exemption from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), allowing its purpose-built self-driving taxis to operate on public roads without traditional controls such as steering wheels or brake pedals. This marks a significant milestone for Zoox, making it the first US-built vehicle to benefit from the expanded Automated Vehicle Exemption Program (AVEP), which previously only applied to imported autonomous vehicles. The exemption is part of a broader effort to accelerate the deployment of AV transportation technologies in the US. Zoox must remove any claims that its vehicles meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, as part of the exemption terms. While commercial operations are not yet approved, the decision clears a regulatory path toward future deployment. Zoox has already been testing in cities like Las Vegas, San Francisco, Miami, and Austin, offering rides to employees and select external users through its Explorer program. Partnerships with Resorts World Las Vegas and AREA15 further support its rollout.
Hyroad Energy has announced it has acquired 113 hydrogen fuel cell trucks and related assets from Nikola Corporation through a bankruptcy auction, marking a major expansion in its zero-emission fleet capabilities. The deal includes spare parts, software platforms, and IP, enabling Hyroad to rapidly deploy proven hydrogen technology primarily in California. This strategic move supports Hyroad’s mission to simplify the transition to green logistics by offering turnkey hydrogen trucking solutions that reduce complexity and risk for fleet operators. Hyroad emphasised that the acquisition provides immediate capacity to meet growing demand for zero-emission trucks. Beyond vehicles, Hyroad will establish dedicated maintenance and parts facilities, ensuring high uptime and reliable service. The inclusion of IP and software systems allows for further innovation and control over the technology. Hyroad also plans to support existing Nikola truck owners, thus ensuring continuity in the hydrogen trucking market. The company’s truck-as-a-service model, which charges fleets per mile, aims to eliminate upfront costs and operational barriers. With the ongoing development of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in California, Hyroad is well-positioned to lead the commercial adoption of sustainable transportation solutions across the US.
Lyft and Baidu have announced a strategic partnership to launch autonomous ride-hailing services in the UK and Germany by 2026. The collaboration will integrate Baidu’s Apollo Go autonomous driving technology into Lyft’s platform, starting with the deployment of 6th-generation autonomous vehicles, pending regulatory approval. The initiative aims to scale the fleet to thousands of vehicles across Europe in the coming years. Baidu’s Apollo Go is a leader in autonomous driving, already operating in 15 cities and having completed over 11 million rides with more than 1,000 AVs. Baidu emphasised the partnership as a key step in international expansion, as well as focusing on safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Lyft highlighted the importance of customer experience, noting that the partnership will enhance safety, reliability, and privacy for users. Lyft plans to use a hybrid model combining AVs & human drivers and will work closely with local regulators to ensure responsible deployment tailored to community needs.
Mercedes-Benz is set to launch its largest-ever product rollout in 2026, introducing 18 new models, with the majority being fully electric, as part of its aggressive shift toward zero-emission mobility. This move follows a sales decline of 6.2% in early 2025 and aims to revive consumer interest by blending luxury with clean technology. The company plans for at least 50% of its vehicle sales to be electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030. Entry-level EVs such as electric versions of the GLA and GLB will debut in 2025, while mid-range models such as the C-Class and GLC will offer both gas and electric options. The luxury segment will see 5 new EVs in 2026, including a revamped EQS and a compact electric G-Wagon. Mercedes-AMG is also developing high-performance electric models. Sustainability is central to their strategy, with goals for net carbon neutrality by 2039 and 40% recycled material usage across its vehicle lineup by 2030.
Rolls-Royce has announced it has partnered with INERATEC to decarbonise backup power systems for data centres using climate-neutral e-fuels. The collaboration will replace fossil diesel with INERATEC’s synthetic e-diesel, produced from renewable electricity and biogenic CO2, offering a scalable and sustainable solution for critical infrastructure. Initially targeting data centres in Germany, the partnership benefits from short delivery routes from INERATEC’s ERA ONE facility in Frankfurt and aims to expand globally. INERATEC specialises in Power-to-X and gas-to-liquid technologies, creating fuels like e-kerosene and CO2-neutral gasoline. Rolls-Royce’s mtu emergency generators are already approved for sustainable fuels, and this integration will help data centres reduce their carbon footprint while ensuring a reliable energy supply. The initiative aligns with international environmental standards and supports broader efforts to decarbonise energy-intensive digital infrastructure. INERATEC recently raised over $129m to scale its e-fuel production for hard-to-abate sectors, reinforcing the partnership’s long-term potential.
Deals
Jeh Aerospace, an aerospace manufacturing startup, has secured $11m in Series A funding led by Elevation Capital, with continued support from General Catalyst. The funding will support the expansion and development of mega factories. Over the past 18 months, the startup has expanded to over 100 employees, delivered more than 100,000 flight-critical components, and signed $100m in long-term contracts with global aerospace companies. Jeh’s success stems from its software-defined manufacturing model, which integrates automation, AI, and advanced software to create agile, high-precision factories. With operations in both America and India, Jeh employs a friend-shoring strategy to leverage skilled talent and market access. The startup has focused on building a customer-first culture and a scalable solution that addresses key supply chain challenges in aerospace manufacturing.
FORT Robotics, a Philadelphia-based robotics and AI startup, has secured an additional $18.9m in Series B funding, bringing its total to $60.5m. This round was led by Tiger Global, with (new) investors such as Prime Movers Lab, Neman Ventures and Ryuu Co. also participating. This funding will accelerate the development of safety solutions for autonomous systems. This startup provides remote control and safety technologies for robotics and physical AI, with over 12,000 units deployed across industries such as agriculture, construction, and warehousing. FORT’s Robotics Control Platform enables secure, dynamic machine control, supporting human-machine collaboration while minimising risk. The new capital will enhance product versatility, expand international compliance, and develop next-gen safety analytics. As autonomous systems scale globally, FORT aims to be a key enabler of safe deployment.