National Express UK Coach and Alsa, both part of the Mobico Group, have announced they will merge in January 2026 to form a pan-European coach powerhouse. The integration aims to combine market expertise and unlock strategic efficiencies across the UK and European coach sectors. Alsa, headquartered in Spain, operates extensively across Europe and also has a presence in Morocco. The National Express brand will remain unchanged, but leadership will shift as Mr Javier Martinez Prieto (at Alsa) takes on the role of Managing Director of National Express UK Coach. He will focus on strategic growth and enhancing competitiveness. Mr Victor Lopez will serve as General Manager for Alsa Spain and the UK, while Mr Kevin Gale continues as CEO of National Express UK and Germany. The merger excludes National Express’s UK bus division in the West Midlands. The collaboration is expected to improve service delivery and operational resilience across markets. The move reflects Mobico Group’s ambition to consolidate its position in the European transport sector and better serve millions of customers with a unified, high-quality coach offering.
Chungcheongnam Province (in South Korea) has announced it has committed nearly $8bn over 5 years to accelerate its transition to a hydrogen-based economy. The investment will support the development of hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and utilisation infrastructure, aiming to make the province a national leader in clean energy. Key initiatives include building hydrogen refuelling stations, expanding hydrogen-powered public transport, and supporting local industries in adopting hydrogen technologies. The plan also involves fostering R&D, attracting private investment, and creating jobs in the hydrogen sector. Chungcheongnam’s strategy aligns with South Korea’s broader national goals for carbon neutrality and energy security. The province aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, stimulate economic growth, and position itself as a hub for hydrogen innovation. By 2030, Chungcheongnam expects to have a robust hydrogen ecosystem, supporting both domestic needs and potential exports. This ambitious commitment underscores the region’s determination to lead in sustainable energy transformation.
Scania has launched its Industrial Batteries division to accelerate electrification in off-road sectors such as mining, construction, and material handling. This move follows Scania’s acquisition of Northvolt Systems’ Industrial Division, thus enabling the company to deliver fully integrated electric solutions globally. The new division offers modular battery systems, electric motors, software, and support services designed for challenging terrains. Its Core and Compact battery platforms range from 21 to 624 kWh and up to 1000 V, supporting a wide variety of applications, from forklifts to excavators. Manufactured in Europe, these solutions are engineered for seamless integration, reliability, and scalability, helping industries transition from combustion engines to advanced electric systems. The company’s approach addresses industry challenges such as power demands and thermal management, while partnerships with OEMs ensure tailored, efficient solutions. By simplifying electrification, Scania aims to reduce emissions, cut energy costs, and support the global shift toward sustainable off-road machinery.
Equipmake has announced it has secured an order from Agrale, a South American bus manufacturer, to supply 50 electric bus driveline systems. The order will see Equipmake’s Zero Emission Drivetrain (ZED) technology integrated into Agrale’s MT17.0 electric buses, which are destined for Buenos Aires, Argentina. The ZED system includes batteries, electric motors, inverters, and advanced control software, offering a range of up to c.150 miles on a single charge. This partnership builds on a successful pilot project in Buenos Aires, where an Agrale bus equipped with Equipmake’s technology has been operating since 2023. The new order marks a significant step in expanding zero-emission public transport in South America. Equipmake will assemble the driveline kits in the UK before shipping them to Agrale for final integration. Mr Ian Foley (CEO) highlighted the deal as a milestone for Equipmake’s international growth and a boost for sustainable urban mobility in the region.
New data illustrates BYD is rapidly gaining ground and market share in Spain, driven by competitively priced plug-in hybrids and aggressive expansion. Models like the Seal U DM-i, priced around €30,000 with subsidies, are nearly €10,000 cheaper than European rivals, thus attracting cost-conscious buyers. BYD’s dealership network in Spain has expanded from 25 to nearly 100 in a year, while legacy brands such as Volkswagen and Audi have reduced their presence. Impressively, BYD’s share of Spain’s EV market, including plug-in hybrids, exceeded 10% in July. Its overall market share rose to 1.8% from 0.3% last year, surpassing brands like Jeep and Volvo. Spain’s lack of a strong national carmaker makes it a strategic entry point for Chinese EVs. BYD plans to produce all European EVs locally within 3 years, with a plant underway in Hungary and potential expansion into Spain. Despite challenges like limited charging infrastructure, Spanish consumers favour hybrids and PHEVs, aligning with BYD’s strategy.
Go-Ahead Group has announced it is set to nearly double its presence in Singapore’s bus market after winning a new 5-year contract from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to operate the Tampines Bus Package starting in summer 2026. Valued at S$646m, the contract covers 27 routes and involves around 400 vehicles, over 250 of which are zero-emission buses. The deal can be extended for an additional 5 years and will be operated from the new East Coast bus depot, taking over from SBS Transit. This expansion builds on Go-Ahead’s existing operations in Singapore, which began in 2016. The new contract will increase its fleet to over 800 vehicles and staff to more than 2,000. It plans to establish a Satellite Centre of Excellence in Singapore to advance electric bus operations and integrate AI technologies for improved safety and efficiency. The bus operator expressed pride in supporting Singapore’s green transport goals and ensuring a smooth transition for affected employees.
Deals
Dow Jones has acquired Eco-Movement, a Netherlands-based leader in EV charging data, to strengthen its energy business unit, OPIS. Eco-Movement’s platform covers nearly 2 million EV connectors across more than 80 countries, offering real-time insights into charging infrastructure. This acquisition enhances Dow Jones’s capabilities in sustainable mobility analytics, supporting a wide range of stakeholders, including retailers, fleets, utilities, and financial institutions, with comprehensive vehicle energy data, from fossil fuels to electricity. Eco-Movement will operate within OPIS, enriching its existing expertise in carbon markets, clean fuels, solar and hydrogen. The move aligns with Dow Jones’s broader strategy to expand its energy and risk intelligence portfolio, following previous acquisitions like Oxford Analytica and Dragonfly Intelligence. Dow Jones emphasised the strategic fit, noting Eco-Movement’s proprietary data is vital for decision-making in the electrification era. Mr Roderick van den Berg, CEO of Eco-Movement, highlighted the synergy between Eco-Movement’s platform and OPIS’s analytics, which will accelerate sustainable mobility initiatives. The acquisition also benefits navigation providers, eMSPs, and public sector entities by offering independent, global EV charging data.
Carro, a Singapore-based online car marketplace, has raised $60m in a funding round led by Cool Japan Fund, aiming to promote Japanese used cars across Southeast Asia. The investment will support Carro’s expansion of its cross-border car trading platform, which facilitates the movement of Japanese vehicles into markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Carro plans to leverage Japan’s reputation for high-quality (used) vehicles and its surplus of such cars to meet growing demand in Southeast Asia, where affordability and reliability are key consumer priorities. Carro emphasised the strategic importance of Japanese cars in the region and highlighted the platform’s role in streamlining logistics and compliance processes. This funding round reflects increasing investor confidence in Southeast Asia’s digital automotive ecosystem and the potential for Japanese car exports to play a central role in regional mobility solutions. Carro’s initiative aligns with broader trends in sustainable transport and digital transformation in the automotive sector, positioning itself as a key player in reshaping how used cars are traded and consumed across Asia.
Nvidia is considering a $500m strategic investment in UK-based autonomous driving startup Wayve, as part of its broader £2bn commitment to support AI innovation in the UK. The two companies have signed a letter of intent, with the funding potentially included in Wayve’s upcoming Series D round. Nvidia previously participated in Wayve’s $1.05bn Series C round in 2024. Wayve has developed a unique self-driving system based on end-to-end deep learning, which doesn’t rely on high-definition maps or rule-based programming. Instead, it uses real-world data from standard sensors like cameras and radar to train its AI driver, making it hardware-agnostic and cost-effective. Subsequently, this approach allows Wayve’s software to run on existing vehicle chips, including Nvidia’s GPUs, and is already integrated into Ford Mach E test vehicles.
EV Realty has secured a $75m growth equity investment from NGP and its own management team to accelerate the expansion of its commercial fleet charging infrastructure. This funding will drive the development of EV Realty’s Powered Properties portfolio, with a significant milestone being the groundbreaking of a 76-stall fast-charging hub in San Bernardino, California. This hub, capable of charging over 200 Class 8 trucks daily, is strategically located near key freight corridors and industrial warehouses, supporting regional and short-haul fleets. The project benefits from grants by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and a conditional award from the California Energy Commission. EV Realty’s approach aggregates multiple fleets onto shared infrastructure, thus reducing costs and improving truck utilisation. Recent partnerships, such as with Prologis and the acquisition of Gage Zero assets, further strengthen its market position. The company’s long-term vision focuses on stable, cost-effective electrification amid evolving technology and market conditions.