Go-Ahead has confirmed its acquisition of Truronian Coaches and the Truro depot from First Bus as part of First’s broader withdrawal from the Cornwall market. The transaction is set to complete on February 15, the day after First ends its bus operations in the county. Although no vehicles are included in the sale, the forward book of business is understood to be part of the transfer. Go-Ahead has not disclosed detailed plans for Truronian, but industry experts speculate 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 emphasized 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 regulations, ensuring job protection and continuity of service.
Duracell has announced it is entering the UK EV charging market with a major £200 million 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, offering charging speeds of up to 1,000 kW, well above current UK standards. The goal is to address persistent issues related to slow, unreliable charging infrastructure and eliminate 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 managed by The EV Network, a charging infrastructure specialist. Duracell E-Charge promises transparent pricing, multiple payment options, and consistently high uptime, aiming to deliver a simple and reliable user experience. By combining ultra-fast charging technology with the trusted Duracell brand, the project seeks to accelerate the UK’s transition to electric mobility.
Skywell New Energy Vehicles as delivered 249 hydrogen fuel cell buses to Guangzhou, marking one of China’s largest single deployments of hydrogen-powered public transportation. 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 riders with disabilities. Powered by HTWO’s fuel cell system, the buses offer zero tailpipe emissions, fast hydrogen refueling, and extended operational range, making them suitable for high-frequency urban routes. The 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 refueling stations and supply chains. The project reflects broader collaboration between Skyworth Auto’s commercial vehicle engineering capabilities and HTWO’s fuel cell technology, demonstrating the accelerating momentum of hydrogen mobility in China’s commercial transportation sector. As Guangzhou integrates these buses into its public transit network, the city moves closer to its clean energy goals while setting a benchmark for large-scale hydrogen bus adoption.
Potomac Edison has launched an $11.1 million pilot program in Maryland to help school districts transition to zero-emission electric school buses. The 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 prevent school systems from adopting cleaner transportation. The program covers the typical $250,000 cost difference between internal combustion engine and electric buses, along with charging equipment and necessary electrical upgrades. It also provides technical and administrative support, helping districts identify suitable charging locations, install infrastructure, and train staff on bus operation and charging procedures. A key component of the initiative is testing vehicle-to-grid technology to evaluate whether stored energy in idle bus batteries can be fed back into the electricity grid during emergencies to improve system reliability. The program supports Maryland’s Climate Solutions Now Act, which requires public school systems to purchase or contract only zero-emission vehicles moving forward. Designed to run for five 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 is forecasting a strong year, driven by a wave of new model launches and the debut of its first fully electric vehicle. After exceeding expectations in the previous quarter, the company expects core earnings to grow by at least 6% in 2026. This outlook is supported by an order book extending into late 2027, fueled by strong demand for models such as the Amalfi and the 849 Testarossa. Positioned at the top end of Ferrari’s lineup, these vehicles continue to attract buyers despite broader economic uncertainty. A major milestone 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 electrification strategy. In total, Ferrari plans to launch five new models in 2026, accelerating its product cadence as the company transitions toward a future where internal combustion, hybrid, and fully electric models coexist. Its financial outlook, supported 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 charging 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 streetlights across residential streets. Of the planned 500 chargers, 225 are already installed (or nearly installed), with the remaining 275 scheduled for completion by October 2028.
The units operate on 100% renewable electricity and are designed for overnight charging, offering flexible pricing with discounted nighttime rates to make EV ownership more convenient and affordable. Local officials emphasize 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, building on an existing network of more than 100 on-street chargers funded through previous government-backed programs such as the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme. Char.gy emphasized that the additional 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 a partnership 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 approximately 40% annually on charging costs, equivalent to approximately £1,100 per year, making EVs significantly more affordable. Fleet operators also benefit from two months of free Electroverse subscription access, unlocking additional discounted rates and commercial offers. Electroverse provides access to eight out of ten public chargers in Europe for more than one 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. The partnership aims to support the growing population of professional EV drivers by reducing operating expenses and simplifying access to public charging infrastructure. Both companies emphasize that the initiative will help accelerate EV adoption among high-mileage drivers, lower financial barriers, and support broader climate and emissions-reduction efforts in urban areas across Europe.
China continued its rapid expansion of EV charging infrastructure in 2025, installing approximately one million new EV chargers as part of its broader push toward nationwide electrification. This growth propelled the country’s total charging network to between 16 and 20 million units by the second half of 2025, representing 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 significant year-over-year increases in charging unit deployment, with approximately four million new charging points added in just the first seven months of the year. Public charging availability also expanded substantially, helping improve charger-to-vehicle ratios and reduce 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 reinforcing the country’s position as the world’s largest EV charging market.
Deals
TWAICE, a Munich-based battery analytics company, has secured €24 million 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, optimize performance, extend battery life, and reduce operating 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 maximize profitability for operators managing expanding fleets.
GenLogs, a Virginia-based truck intelligence platform, has raised $60 million in Series B funding, led by Battery Ventures. The capital will be used to expand its AI-powered Truck Intelligence platform, which provides real-time visibility into U.S. trucking operations through a nationwide network of roadside sensors, cameras, satellites, and proprietary analytics. The company addresses longstanding inefficiencies in the freight industry by identifying carrier behavior, 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 funding will support platform scaling, enhancement of industry-specific features, and team expansion as GenLogs grows into new markets such as Mexico. The company also assists law enforcement by providing data used in investigations involving human trafficking, narcotics smuggling, and cargo theft. Through its data-driven approach, GenLogs aims to modernize a fragmented, historically analog industry and strengthen national supply chain security.