Scotland has launched its first hydrogen sector export strategy, titled A Trading Nation: Realising Scotland’s Hydrogen Potential – A Plan for Exports. This strategy positions Scotland as a leader in the production and export of green hydrogen, aiming to produce up to 3.3 million tonnes annually by 2045, which is c.90% of Scotland's current energy demand. With vast renewable energy resources, Scotland aims to produce 5GW of low-carbon hydrogen by 2030 and 25GW by 2045. The plan emphasises the importance of infrastructure, investment, and skilled workforce to support hydrogen production and export. The plan outlines growth opportunities for businesses and investors, highlighting Scotland's potential to become a major player in the global hydrogen market. The strategy highlights the importance of green hydrogen in achieving net-zero emissions and transitioning to a sustainable energy future. It also focuses on building a robust hydrogen economy by leveraging Scotland's renewable energy resources, such as wind and tidal power. The Scottish government aims to attract investment and foster innovation in hydrogen technologies, creating jobs and boosting the economy. This initiative is part of Scotland's broader efforts to combat climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
JSW, an Indian steelmaker, has announced its plans to launch its EV brand, aiming to become a significant player in India's growing EV sector. This follows the news of a $1.5bn joint venture with SAIC Motor to build and sell MG-brand EVs in India earlier this year. JSW's new car plant in Aurangabad (Maharashtra) will focus on its brand and position itself among established Indian EV makers like Tata Motors, Mahindra, and Ola Electric. JSW's investment plans include a c.$3.2bn project in Aurangabad Industrial City to produce EVs and commercial vehicles, creating 5,200 jobs. While battery-powered two-wheelers have seen rapid growth in India, full-size EV adoption has been slower compared to China, where government incentives have driven mass uptake. India's EV market, currently at about 100,000 units annually, is starting to grow among affluent consumers. JSW's entry into the EV market reflects broader trends and opportunities in India's automotive industry.
A recent report by the Australian Energy Market Commission revealed that Australian households with EVs will have significantly lower energy costs than those with ICE vehicles. These calculations focus solely on energy costs and do not account for variations in vehicle purchase prices or running expenses like maintenance and insurance. However, the decreasing costs of batteries and some low-to-mid-priced EV models, suggest that the total cost of ownership is approaching parity. The study highlights that EV owners can save around $2,000 annually on energy costs, which include household electricity, gas, and vehicle fuel. Interestingly, these savings are achievable even without optimising charging times to low-price periods. Additionally, households with rooftop solar systems can further reduce costs by charging their EVs during peak solar output. The report emphasises the growing affordability of EVs and the importance of accessible charging infrastructure to maximise these benefits.
Ampere, Renault Group’s EV and software subsidiary, has opened a new software R&D centre in Sophia Antipolis, France. This facility is a significant step in Ampere’s mission to accelerate EV adoption across Europe. The centre, designed to support agile collaboration, combines office and laboratory spaces and houses nearly 200 engineers specialising in EV and software technology. Since becoming an independent business in November 2023, Ampere has focused on driving innovation and competitiveness in the EV sector. Thus, this new centre will be a key hub for developing future centralised architectures for Software Defined Vehicles.
Stagecoach has partnered with Schneider Electric to help accelerate the electrification of its bus fleet across the UK. Schneider Electric will provide the necessary electrical infrastructure, software, and services to support Stagecoach's transition to zero-emission vehicles. The partnership will deploy Schneider's EcoStruxure for eMobility solution at multiple sites, which includes ultra-rapid EV charging points, advanced electrical distribution systems, and a tailored EcoCare membership for support and maintenance. This modular approach to infrastructure ensures scalability as Stagecoach's electric fleet expands. Key components of the solution include a medium voltage/low voltage substation, LV Feeder Pillars, and EVlink Pro DC ultra-rapid charging stations. Schneider Electric highlighted the critical role of public transport electrification in achieving net-zero targets and one of the key pushbacks has been a lack of (UK) infrastructure. This collaboration aims to provide Stagecoach with the infrastructure, insights, and support needed to ensure greener, more reliable journeys for passengers.
Labatt Breweries of Canada has announced it has invested $5.47m to expand its logistics operations with 10 new battery-powered trucks for Quebec. This is the largest single order of Volvo VNR Electric trucks in Canada, thus illustrating the company’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. The investment is supported by $750,000 from the Canadian government and $875,000 from the Government of Quebec. Each electric truck eliminates emissions equivalent to 6 conventional vehicles, resulting in a total reduction equivalent to 60 cars. The Volvo VNR Electric trucks offer a range of up to 280km and a towing capacity of 80,000 lbs GCWR, making them suitable for Labatt’s distribution needs. The trucks will operate from Labatt’s Montreal and Bois-des-Filion distribution centres, averaging 50km and 110km per day, respectively. Charging infrastructure will also be fitted and will include multiple ABB Terra stations at both locations. Labatt has also ensured extensive training for its delivery teams, with positive feedback highlighting the ease of driving, excellent cabin visibility, and quiet operation of the vehicles.
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in California, has announced it is investing $78m in 50 zero-emission buses, with 40 of these buses powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology. New Flyer (a Canadian manufacturer) will supply both the hydrogen and battery-powered buses, which are pencilled in to enter fleet operations by H2 26. The funding for this project is supported by the Federal Transit Administration and California Climate Investments, which are financed through the state's cap-and-trade carbon program. The deployment of these buses is part of OCTA's broader strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in the region. The hydrogen fuel cell buses offer the advantage of longer ranges and faster refuelling times compared to battery-electric buses, making them well-suited for longer routes and high-frequency services. This investment underscores OCTA's commitment to sustainable transportation and its role in advancing the adoption of clean energy technologies in public transit.
Deals
Alt Mobility, an Indian-based commercial EV leasing and management startup, has raised $10m in a Series A funding round. The investment was led by Eurazeo, with investors such as Shell Ventures, Twynam Earth Fund, and EV2 Ventures also participating. The startup currently manages a fleet of 10,000 EVs across 20 Indian cities and is aiming to expand this to 30,000 by March 2026. The funding will support scaling its digital asset management platform, battery technology improvements, and leasing options expansion. Alt Mobility plans to enhance leasing products for 4-wheeler light commercial vehicles and services for second-life vehicle batteries. The company offers integrated services such as fleet monitoring, diagnostics, charging solutions, and servicing to aid EV transitions.
Ampeco, a Bulgarian EV charging platform startup, has raised $26m in a Series B funding round led by Revaia. The startup operates across Europe and serves 160 clients in 60 markets, including major utilities like EON Drive Infrastructure. Ampeco's platform allows OEMs to integrate various hardware partners, enhancing flexibility and customer experience. The funding will support the expansion of its API-first approach and developer portal, enabling large-scale operators to build custom solutions. The capital will also be used to increase its R&D efforts and expand its footprint in Western Europe, the Nordics, the UK, North America, and Southeast Asia.
Class8 (previously known as FleetOps), a Toronto-based now trucking data startup, has secured c.$22 million in a Series A funding round led by Xplorer Capital. Investors such as Commerce Ventures, Inspired Capital, Resolute Ventures, and BCF Ventures also participated. The company uses electronic logging devices (ELDs) integrated into trucks to offer services such as tracking, vehicle inspection reporting, fuel profitability calculations, and automated scheduling. Class8's platform aims to benefit carriers with features such as automated load planning and real-time pricing. The new funding will help expand its AI-driven freight marketplace and enhance its data processing capabilities.