The Fast and the Ferrari-ous!

February 12, 2026

Go-Ahead has confirmed its acquisition of Truronian Coaches and the Truro depot from First Bus as part of First’s wider withdrawal from the Cornwall market. This transaction is set to complete on the 15th of February, the day after First ends its bus operations in the county. Although no vehicles are included in the sale, the forward book of work is understood to be part of the transfer. Go-Ahead has not revealed detailed plans for Truronian, but industry experts speculate that it may eventually be integrated into Dartline Coaches, which Go-Ahead acquired in 2022. The sale excludes any contracted FlixBus services currently operated by First Bus. First Bus has emphasised to staff that selling Truronian Coaches was not originally planned but aligns with broader structural changes in Cornwall. The company has already sold its Camborne and Summercourt depots to Go-Ahead, which is also set to operate the Truro park-and-ride service, soon to include new battery-electric Wrightbus vehicles owned by Cornwall Council. All Truronian staff will transfer under TUPE, ensuring job protection and continuity of service.

Duracell has announced it is entering the UK’s EV charging market with a major £200m rollout of its new Duracell E‑Charge ultra‑fast charging network. The initiative, beginning in 2025 and expanding rapidly through 2026 and beyond, will introduce some of the fastest public EV chargers in the country, thus offering charging speeds of up to 1,000 kW, which is far above current UK standards. The aim is to tackle persistent issues around slow, unreliable charging infrastructure and help remove one of the biggest barriers to mass EV adoption: range and charging anxiety. The network will be operated by Elektra Charge, a newly formed charge point operator licensed by Duracell, while infrastructure development and funding will be handled by The EV Network (charging infrastructure specialists). Duracell E‑Charge promises transparent pricing, multiple payment options and consistently high uptime, aiming to provide a simple and dependable user experience. By combining ultra‑fast charging technology with the trust associated with the Duracell brand, the project seeks to accelerate the UK’s transition to electric mobility.

Skywell New Energy Vehicles has announced it has delivered 249 hydrogen fuel cell buses to Guangzhou, marking one of China’s largest single deployments of hydrogen-powered public transport. The buses were developed in partnership with HTWO Guangzhou, Hyundai Motor Group’s hydrogen fuel cell system subsidiary. Designed specifically for urban transit, the vehicles feature a low‑floor, barrier‑free layout aimed at improving passenger comfort and accessibility, particularly for disabled riders. Powered by HTWO’s fuel cell system, the buses offer zero tailpipe emissions, fast hydrogen refuelling, and long operational range, thus making them suitable for high‑frequency city routes. This rollout aligns with Guangzhou’s long‑term strategy to advance zero‑emission mobility and expand its hydrogen ecosystem. The initiative not only reduces carbon emissions but also supports the growth of local hydrogen infrastructure, including refuelling stations and supply chains. The project reflects a broader collaboration between Skyworth Auto’s commercial vehicle engineering capabilities and HTWO’s fuel cell technology, demonstrating the increasing momentum of hydrogen mobility in China’s commercial transport sector. As Guangzhou integrates these buses into its public transport network, the city moves closer to its clean‑energy goals while setting a benchmark for large‑scale hydrogen bus adoption in urban environments.

Potomac Edison has announced it has launched an $11.1m pilot program in Maryland to help school districts transition to zero‑emission electric school buses. This initiative will fund up to 28 electric buses across the company’s service territory and is designed to reduce the financial and operational barriers that often hinder school systems from adopting cleaner transportation. The program covers the typical $250,000 cost difference between ICE and electric buses, along with charging equipment and the electrical upgrades needed for installation. It also provides technical and administrative support, helping districts identify suitable charging locations, install new infrastructure and train staff on bus operation and charging procedures. A key component of the initiative is the testing of V2G technology, which will evaluate whether stored energy in idle bus batteries can be fed back into the electricity grid during emergencies to enhance system reliability. The program supports Maryland’s Climate Solutions Now Act, which requires public school systems to purchase or contract only zero‑emission vehicles going forward. Designed to run for 5 years or until funding is exhausted, the pilot aims to make the transition to electric school buses more practical, affordable and beneficial for students, communities and grid resilience.

Ferrari has announced it is forecasting a strong year, driven by a wave of new model launches and the debut of its 1st fully EV. After surpassing expectations in the previous quarter, the company expects core earnings to grow by at least 6% in 2026. This confidence is supported by an order bank stretching into late 2027, fuelled by high demand for models such as the Amalfi and the 849 Testarossa. These vehicles, positioned at the top end of Ferrari’s lineup, continue to attract buyers despite broader economic uncertainty. A major milestone for the brand will be the introduction of the Luce, Ferrari’s first electric car, scheduled for unveiling in May. Early feedback from select clients has been (highly) positive, reflecting strong interest in Ferrari’s approach to electrification. In total, Ferrari plans to launch 5 new models in 2026, adding momentum to its product cadence as the company shifts toward a future where ICE, hybrid, and full-electric models coexist. Its financial outlook, bolstered by disciplined demand management and strategic product planning, signals a pivotal transition year for the iconic marque.

The London Borough of Harrow has announced it is rolling out 500 new on-street EV charge points to support residents without access to driveways or off‑street parking. Delivered in partnership with char.gy, the project focuses on installing low‑powered charging units mounted on existing lamp columns across residential streets. Of the planned 500 chargers, 225 are already in place (or nearly in place), with the remaining 275 pencilled in for completion by October 2028. The units operate on 100% renewable electricity and are designed for overnight charging, offering flexible pricing with discounted night‑time rates to make EV ownership more convenient and affordable. Local officials emphasise that the expansion will reduce the time drivers spend searching for available chargers and increase confidence among those considering switching to EVs. The initiative is part of Harrow’s broader climate strategy, which builds on an existing network of more than 100 on‑street chargers funded through previous government-backed schemes such as the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme. Char.gy emphasised that the added infrastructure will particularly benefit residents without driveways, first‑time EV adopters, and current EV owners seeking reliable charging close to home. The rollout aims to make everyday EV use easier, more practical, and increasingly accessible across the borough.

Octopus Electroverse has announced it has partnered with Freenow by Lyft to offer discounted EV charging for taxi drivers and fleet operators across Europe. Through this collaboration, Freenow drivers can access reduced charging rates across Electroverse’s extensive network, spanning 180 cities in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece and Poland. UK taxi drivers stand to save more than c.40% annually on charging costs, equivalent to c.£1,100 per year, thus making EVs significantly more affordable. Fleet operators also benefit from 2 months of free Electroverse subscription, unlocking additional discounted tariffs and commercial offers. Electroverse provides access to 8 out of 10 public chargers in Europe for more than 1 million drivers. Its platform consolidates charging networks into a single app, offering features such as a route planner, real-time charger maps, and in‑car integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This partnership aims to support the growing population of EV‑using professional drivers by reducing operational expenses and simplifying access to public charging infrastructure. Both companies emphasise that the initiative helps accelerate EV adoption among high‑mileage drivers, lowers financial barriers, and supports wider climate and emissions‑reduction efforts in urban areas across Europe.

China continued its rapid expansion of EV charging infrastructure in 2025, installing c.1 million new EV chargers as part of its broader push toward nationwide electrification. This growth helped propel the country’s total charging network to between 16 and 20 million units by H2 25, reflecting one of the most significant infrastructure buildouts in the global EV sector. The expansion included strong increases in both public and private charging points, with millions of new residential chargers complementing hundreds of thousands of newly added public stations. The surge was driven by rising EV adoption, supportive government policies, and a mandate to build an advanced charging ecosystem capable of supporting more than 20 million EVs by the end of the decade. By July 2025, the country recorded major YoY increases in charging unit deployment, with c.4 million new charging points added in just the first seven months. Public charging availability also grew substantially, helping improve charger‑to‑vehicle ratios and reducing barriers to EV adoption. This rapid acceleration reflects China’s strategy to ensure charging supply keeps pace with soaring EV sales, while simultaneously supporting national decarbonization goals and strengthening the country’s role as the world’s largest EV charging market.

Deals

TWAICE, a Munich-based battery analytics company, has secured €24m in venture debt financing from the European Investment Bank to accelerate the growth of its predictive battery analytics platform. The funding will support the company’s expansion across the rapidly growing battery energy storage and EV markets. TWAICE’s software uses real-time and historical data to predict battery degradation, optimise performance, extend battery life, and reduce operational costs, capabilities that are becoming increasingly critical as renewable energy generation and large-scale storage deployments accelerate. The financing will also enable TWAICE to scale product development, expand global customer deployments and help operators shift from reactive maintenance to proactive, data-driven decision-making. With battery storage demand rising sharply, TWAICE’s solutions aim to improve grid stability, enhance safety, and maximise profitability for operators managing expanding fleets.

GenLogs, a Virginia-based truck intelligence platform, has raised $60m in Series B funding, led by Battery Ventures. The capital raised will be used to expand its AI‑powered Truck Intelligence platform, which provides real‑time visibility into USA trucking operations using a nationwide network of roadside sensors, cameras, satellites, and proprietary analytics. The company tackles long‑standing inefficiencies in the freight industry by identifying carrier behaviour, detecting fraud, improving pricing accuracy, and supporting cargo recovery. The platform is used by shippers, insurers, government agencies, and logistics firms to vet carriers, automate decision‑making, and reduce risk. The new capital will be used to scale the platform, enhance industry‑specific features, and grow the team as GenLogs expands into new markets such as Mexico. The company also supports law enforcement by providing data used in investigations involving human trafficking, narcotics smuggling, and cargo theft. With its data‑driven approach, GenLogs aims to modernise a fragmented, historically analogue industry and strengthen national supply‑chain security.