Brazil and India have announced that they have formalised a new partnership to expand cooperation on rare earths and other critical minerals, aiming to strengthen supply chains essential for renewable energy technologies and advanced manufacturing. The agreement, structured as a non-binding MoU, focuses on reciprocal investments, joint exploration, mining initiatives and the potential use of AI to improve resource development. Brazil, which possesses the world’s second-largest reserves of rare earth minerals, sees the pact as an opportunity to attract investment and diversify global supply networks. Rare earths are vital for producing EVs, solar panels, smartphones, jet engines and numerous other high-tech components. During his state visit to India, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasised the growing relevance of renewable energy and critical minerals to both nations’ long-term development strategies. India, seeking to reduce its reliance on China for these materials, views Brazil as a key partner in achieving greater strategic autonomy and securing access to essential inputs for its clean energy transition. The visit also included discussions on broader cooperation across entrepreneurship, health, scientific research and education, reflecting both countries’ ambitions within the BRICS+ bloc. The high-level Brazilian delegation accompanying Lula, comprising 11 ministers and numerous business leaders, underscored the significance Brazil places on strengthening ties with India. The partnership forms part of a wider effort by both nations to diversify trade relationships and enhance their geopolitical influence. Analysts noted that the collaboration also reflects ongoing efforts across the Global South to build more resilient supply chains and reduce vulnerability to major economic powers.
Octopus Energy has announced the launch of Octopus Fleet, an integrated, all-in-one platform designed to simplify electric fleet management for businesses of all sizes. The platform brings together charging, payments, reimbursement, hardware and clean-energy solutions within one system, allowing organisations to tailor their setup to operational needs. It builds on Octopus’s existing EV ecosystem, including its large-scale public charging network, Electroverse, which offers access to more than 1.3 million charge points globally. Key features of Octopus Fleet include a Fleet Charging Card for top-ups, a Visa-powered Business Payments Card for on-the-go expenses, and a fully automated home charging reimbursement scheme that repays employees for business-related home charging without manual claims. Businesses receive a consolidated invoice covering all charging activity, significantly reducing administrative work. The platform also supports workplace charging, depot installations, rooftop solar and battery storage, helping companies cut running costs while supporting net-zero goals. Additional employee-focused incentives include EV salary-sacrifice programmes and discounted public charging options. Octopus aims to support organisations at any stage of electrification, from early pilots to full fleet transition, by offering flexible, scalable tools that streamline the shift to EVs.
Uber has announced that it is significantly expanding its EV infrastructure investments to support both its human drivers and its future autonomous robotaxi fleet. The company is committing over $100m to build a network of high-capacity DC fast-charging hubs in major US cities, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and Dallas. These stations will serve autonomous vehicles and help address charging access challenges faced by current Uber EV drivers. The investment forms part of a broader push to improve operational efficiency, reduce downtime and ensure vehicles, whether human-driven or autonomous, remain in service for longer. Beyond constructing its own hubs, Uber is partnering with multiple charging networks such as EVgo, Ionity, Hubber and Electra. Through utilisation-guarantee agreements, Uber aims to support the installation of more than 1,000 new chargers globally, improving access for drivers in cities including New York, London and Paris. These initiatives are also intended to strengthen Uber’s competitive position within the rapidly developing robotaxi industry, where companies such as Waymo and Tesla are expanding. Uber believes that building reliable charging infrastructure is essential to enabling widespread EV adoption and unlocking the full potential of autonomy. It expects robotaxis to operate on its platform in at least 10 cities by the end of H2 2026.
DHL Freight has announced that it has begun trialling its first hydrogen-powered truck in the Netherlands as part of its push towards a diesel-free fleet and broader decarbonisation goals. Operating daily in the provinces of Overijssel and Gelderland, the truck is expected to cover approximately 300 km per day, allowing DHL to gather real-world data on range, energy consumption, refuelling times, driver experience and overall performance compared with ICE and electric alternatives. The vehicle, a Hyundai Xcient Fuel Cell 6×2, offers a range of up to 450 km and can refuel in approximately 15 minutes. The pilot supports DHL’s aim of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and forms part of its wider testing of low-carbon technologies, including biofuels and battery-electric trucks. Fuel is supplied through Teal Mobility’s growing hydrogen refuelling network, and the truck is leased via Hylane on a pay-per-kilometre model. Insights from the trial will help inform future fleet transition decisions.
Transport for London (TfL) has awarded TotalEnergies a contract to deploy up to 43 rapid and ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging points across London. The chargers, offering 100 kW and 200 kW speeds, are intended to support high-mileage commercial users such as taxis, freight operators and everyday drivers requiring fast, reliable charging near high streets, key travel routes and local amenities. A significant number of the chargers will be located in South London, including Bromley, Lewisham and Sutton, increasing access to rapid charging in areas with growing EV adoption. This marks the second major charging-infrastructure contract awarded to TotalEnergies, complementing ongoing work with operator Zest, which has already delivered approximately 40 rapid or ultra-rapid on-street chargers across the city. TfL’s broader strategy aims to meet rising demand for EV charging by unlocking public land and partnering with private operators to accelerate infrastructure deployment. London currently hosts approximately 28,000 public charging points, including more than 1,550 rapid chargers, but projections indicate that between 43,000 and 51,000 charging points will be needed by 2030 to sustain expected EV growth. The new installations will support London’s transition to cleaner transport, help reduce emissions and provide drivers with greater confidence to switch to EVs.
Donut Lab has commissioned Finland’s state-owned VTT Technical Research Centre to independently validate the performance of its all-solid-state electric vehicle battery, following industry scepticism after its debut at CES. The company, which claims to have the first mass-production-ready solid-state battery, aims to provide verifiable technical data addressing doubts about its ambitious performance claims. VTT conducted laboratory measurements on the battery, and Donut Lab will release the findings through a detailed video series and full measurement reports published on its website and social channels. The company emphasises the safety and performance advantages of its solid-state design, noting the absence of flammable liquid electrolytes and a reduced risk of thermal runaway. Donut Lab asserts that its battery enables longer driving range, lighter vehicle structures and immediate integration into serial vehicle manufacturing. The upcoming data release is intended to counter speculation and provide transparency around the technology’s capabilities. The firm sees the independent testing process as a crucial step in reinforcing credibility and confidence in what it positions as a breakthrough in electric mobility.
A new £50m fund is being launched to support West Midlands automotive firms as the region accelerates towards EV manufacturing. The West Midlands Supplier Readiness and Transformation Fund will provide grants ranging from £250,000 to £3m from April, with participating companies required to match at least half of the funding through private investment. The initiative is expected to leverage up to £100m in total investment, strengthening the region’s position within the evolving EV supply chain. The West Midlands Combined Authority has emphasised that the programme is central to ensuring the region remains a leader in the UK automotive sector. With approximately 1,000 automotive businesses employing more than 30,000 people, the region has long been a cornerstone of British car manufacturing. Officials highlighted its legacy as the birthplace of the UK car industry, noting that government backing reflects the strategic importance of maintaining a competitive automotive base during the shift to electrification. The fund will operate for four years under the government’s DRIVE35 initiative, which aims to bolster domestic supply chains and support the UK’s transition towards net-zero emissions by 2050.
INEOS has secured a €300m grant from the French government to accelerate the decarbonisation of its large petrochemical complex in Lavera, located on France’s Mediterranean coast. The investment will fund the installation of advanced energy-efficient technologies designed to cut CO₂ emissions by 331,000 tonnes per year, marking a major phase in the site’s long-term regeneration plan. The initiative aims to transform Lavera into a more competitive, lower-carbon industrial facility with a clear pathway towards net-zero operations. The upgrade will also enable the site’s industrial cracker to process more sustainable feedstocks, including recycled plastics and bio-sourced materials, helping to reduce dependence on fossil-based inputs. Beyond emissions reductions, the project is positioned as a strategic economic measure, supporting thousands of skilled jobs and reinforcing France’s industrial sovereignty by maintaining domestic production capacity for critical materials used across sectors such as healthcare, aerospace, clean energy and defence. The funding falls under France’s Appel d’Offres Grands Projets Industriels de Décarbonation programme, part of the France 2030 plan, which supports large-scale industrial decarbonisation projects capable of delivering verifiable emissions reductions over 15 years.
Deals
Statiq, an Indian-based EV charging start-up, has secured $18m in new funding to accelerate the expansion of its nationwide charging network. The company has grown rapidly into one of India’s largest EV charging platforms, offering both public and private charging solutions alongside an app that enables users to locate and pay for charging points. The capital will support the rollout of additional chargers across major cities and highways, addressing India’s rapidly increasing demand for reliable EV infrastructure. Statiq aims to simplify EV adoption by creating a unified charging ecosystem compatible with multiple charger types and payment systems. The expansion comes amid a surge in India’s EV market, driven by government incentives, rising fuel costs and increasing environmental awareness. The funding will also strengthen its technology, improve operational reliability and support partnerships with industry players to enhance accessibility for EV users across the country.
tem, an AI-native energy transactions scale-up, has received a £3.1m investment from the British Business Bank as part of a $75m Series B round. The funding round, led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, also saw participation from Hitachi Ventures, Voyager Ventures and Schroders Capital. The capital will support tem’s mission to modernise energy trading by replacing outdated, opaque market infrastructure that has long inflated business energy costs. tem has created the first AI-native transaction platform designed to streamline energy flows, eliminate inefficiencies and return value to both businesses and renewable generators. The scale-up has already facilitated over 2 TWh of energy transactions for more than 2,600 UK customers, including Boohoo Group and Silverstone Circuit. The new investment will help tem expand internationally into priority markets such as Texas and Australia. The Bank’s participation aligns with its expanded mandate to scale direct investments in fast-growing UK firms.