This weeks' developments highlight how existing infrastructure, assets and technologies are increasingly being adapted to support the transition to a lower-carbon energy and transport system.
Market developments
Waymo batteries to be repurposed for grid-scale storage
B2U Storage Solutions has signed a supply agreement with Waymo to repurpose retired EV batteries from the company’s autonomous fleet into stationary energy storage systems. The second‑life batteries will be deployed across electricity markets in California and Texas, where Waymo already operates ride‑hailing services. B2U’s technology extends battery usefulness for several additional years before recycling, allowing excess renewable energy to be stored during low‑demand periods and discharged at peak times. The partnership is intended to create a circular battery lifecycle, reduce electronic waste and improve grid resilience as renewable energy penetration and electricity demand continue to rise.
India’s V.O. Chidambaranar Port targets green fuel exports to Europe
Southern India’s V.O. Chidambaranar Port has signed an MoU with Germany’s H2Global Foundation to explore export opportunities for green hydrogen and derivative fuels. The agreement will examine infrastructure requirements, logistics systems and long‑term supply frameworks for products including green ammonia and e‑methanol bound for Europe. The collaboration makes the port the first in India to partner with H2Global, which was established to accelerate international trade in renewable hydrogen. The initiative aligns with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which targets five million tonnes of annual hydrogen production by 2030 while supporting cleaner maritime transport and low‑carbon fuel exports.
Hampshire to roll out 17,000 public EV charge points
Hampshire County Council plans to install around 17,000 public EV charge points in one of England’s largest local authority-led charging programmes. Supported by £6.662m from the UK Government’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund and private investment from Believ, the scheme aims to improve charging access for residents without off-street parking. Installation is due to begin in H2 2026, with around 500 chargers planned in the first year. The network will include both standard and rapid chargers, with Believ responsible for operating and maintaining the infrastructure under a 15-year concession agreement.
Infrastructure & policy
Volteum expands platform for mixed and electric fleet management
Volteum has raised €2.5m to support expansion across the UK, Benelux and DACH regions, bringing total company funding to €3.75m. The platform is designed to help operators manage mixed fleets of electric, petrol and diesel vehicles through a single software system. Unlike traditional fleet tools, Volteum integrates EV‑specific functions such as charging management, battery monitoring, maintenance planning and home‑charging reimbursement. The software connects directly to manufacturer data without additional hardware and uses operational analytics to optimise charging, vehicle use and maintenance scheduling. The company says the platform can reduce fleet operating costs by up to 30%.
Deals
Highland Electric Fleets secures $75m to accelerate school bus electrification
Highland Electric Fleets has raised $75m in new funding led by Galvanize, increasing total preferred equity commitments to $150m. The company provides an Electrification‑as‑a‑Service model that helps school districts and municipalities transition from diesel to electric buses without large upfront costs. Funding will support expansion across key US markets, increased deployment of electric fleets and broader investment in charging systems linked with battery storage and grid services. Highland is also extending its capabilities into municipal fleet and energy applications as demand grows for lower‑emission and more cost‑stable transport solutions.
InCharge Energy raises $46m to expand energy services platform
InCharge Energy has secured $46m in strategic funding to expand its charging and energy management operations across North America. The company manages more than 30,000 charging assets for fleets, municipalities and school districts and plans to broaden its services into electrical infrastructure and distributed energy resources. Funding will support the expansion of field operations, the expansion of technician networks, and the development of its InControl software platform. The system provides real‑time charger monitoring, remote diagnostics, AI‑based issue resolution and energy optimisation through a single interface. The investment reflects growing demand for integrated charging and energy infrastructure as EV adoption scales.
See you next week!