This week's briefing highlights new standards for vehicle-to-grid technology, a widening gap between US charging demand and infrastructure, and fresh funding activity across EV charging, power electronics and energy asset management.
Market developments
UL Solutions launches certification program for vehicle-to-grid technology
As vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology gains momentum, UL Solutions has introduced a certification program for bidirectional charging equipment that allows EVs to both draw power from and supply electricity back to the grid. The framework assesses equipment including inverters, converters, controllers and interconnection systems against recognized industry standards. Testing will be conducted at UL Solutions laboratories in California and Illinois. The program is intended to support compatibility, regulatory compliance and grid-connected energy export applications, while increasing confidence in the safety and reliability of V2G systems as utilities and fleet operators look to use EV batteries as distributed energy resources.
US charging demand continues to outpace infrastructure growth
Public EV charging usage in the USA is growing considerably faster than charger deployment. Industry data shows charging sessions increased by 34% during 2025, while newly installed public chargers rose by 16%, indicating significantly higher utilization across existing networks. The trend comes as EV sales surpassed 1.8 million units by the end of August, supported by rising fuel costs and sustained consumer interest in electric mobility. The gap is particularly significant for drivers without access to home charging, including apartment residents and long-distance travelers. High EV retention rates also suggest many drivers continue choosing electric vehicles when replacing existing cars.
EV Realty expands California electric truck charging network
EV Realty has acquired an industrial property in Ontario, California, to develop a large-scale charging hub serving electric freight and logistics fleets. The planned facility will offer up to 27MW of simultaneous charging capacity and already has access to a 9MW grid connection. Located near major transport routes including SR-60, I-15 and Ontario International Airport, the site sits close to one of North America's largest warehouse and logistics clusters. Construction is expected to begin next year, adding to EV Realty's growing Powered Properties portfolio as demand for dedicated commercial fleet charging infrastructure continues to increase across California.
Infrastructure & policy
Growing attention on standards and charging capacity as electrification scales across transport sectors
This week's developments highlight two critical themes shaping transport electrification: the need for robust charging infrastructure and the emergence of standards for new energy applications. UL Solutions' V2G certification program aims to support wider deployment of bidirectional charging systems, while rising utilization across US charging networks underscores the importance of accelerating infrastructure rollout. Large-scale commercial charging projects such as EV Realty's Ontario freight hub further demonstrate how infrastructure investment is increasingly focusing on fleet and heavy-duty vehicle applications alongside passenger transport.
Deals
EZO and Rightcharge secure funding to support European expansion
Irish charging infrastructure provider EZO has reached financial close on a €150m senior debt facility that will support deployment of more than 3,000 chargepoints across the UK, with additional projects planned in Ireland. The network is expected to deliver more than 100MW of charging capacity through long-term concession-style agreements, with assets transferring to public-sector partners at the end of concession periods. Separately, fleet charging software provider Rightcharge has raised an additional £500,000 to support growth and further expansion across Europe. The company already operates in France and Germany and plans to enhance its platform while expanding into additional markets.
Marel Power Solutions receives $1.9m to scale power electronics production
Michigan-based Marel Power Solutions has secured $1.9m through the Michigan Supplier Conversion Grant Program to establish pilot-scale manufacturing capabilities and acquire production equipment. The company develops configurable power stacks used in inverters and converters that manage electricity flow across EV traction systems, onboard chargers, battery management equipment and charging infrastructure. While automotive applications remain the initial focus, the technology is also being evaluated for defense and data center power systems. The funding is intended to accelerate commercialization and strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity for advanced power electronics.
Metris Energy raises $5m to expand AI-powered energy asset management platform
London-based Metris Energy has raised $5m in seed funding, bringing total funding to $7.5m. The company's AI-native platform consolidates operational, performance, billing and revenue data for energy assets into a single management system, helping operators automate workflows and optimize portfolio performance. Metris currently oversees more than 10,000 solar installations representing approximately 500MW of capacity. Alongside the funding round, the company launched Metria AI, an interface designed to automate complex operational tasks. The new capital will support expansion into wind and combined heat and power assets, while accelerating growth across Europe, particularly in Germany.
See you next week!