Gone with the Waymo
Eaton has announced it is enhancing its European EV charging portfolio by introducing new Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) compatible AC and DC chargers, including the DC 30 and Duo models. These are designed for integration with Eaton infrastructure solutions and are managed via the ChargePoint software platform. This combined system, from purchase and design to deployment, offers comprehensive electrical infrastructure services, helping customers manage site power needs, reduce costs, and boost reliability. The DC 30, aimed at roadside, fleet, and destination charging sites such as supermarkets, supports fast top-ups and complies with the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation. It enables registration‑free payments and bi‑directional charging, preparing locations for future V2G deployments. The compact Duo unit, mountable on walls, floors, or ceilings, supports charging 2 vehicles simultaneously, and both models offer ISO 15118 compliance and dynamic load balancing to avoid capacity limits. With intuitive digital interfaces, remote software updates, and monitoring via Eaton’s platform, the chargers boast simplified installation, 25% faster than market standards, and high uptime supported by robust warranties and service networks. These advancements align with Eaton’s Buildings as a Grid strategy, converting structures into integrated energy hubs that combine on‑site renewables, optimised energy use, and carbon reduction.
Waymo has announced it will be launching its autonomous ride-hailing service in London in 2026, marking its 1st European expansion and a major milestone in its global growth strategy. The service will use all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles equipped with Waymo’s advanced Waymo Driver technology, which has already logged over 100 million autonomous miles and completed 10 million paid rides in America. Operations will begin with safety drivers on board for mapping and testing purposes in boroughs such as Hackney, Westminster, Camden, and Islington. Waymo is partnering with Moove to manage fleet operations locally. The company emphasises safety, noting that its autonomous system has significantly fewer injury-causing collisions compared to human drivers. Waymo also aims to improve accessibility and reliability for Londoners, with support from UK transport officials and advocacy groups like the RNIB. The rollout will involve adapting the technology to London’s complex road network and securing regulatory approvals, with public access via the Waymo app expected after testing concludes.
New York State has awarded c.$80m through its Zero‑Emission Transit Transition (ZETT) program to accelerate the adoption of zero‑emission buses and infrastructure across 7 non‑MTA transit providers. Major recipients included Capital District Transportation Authority, Central New York Regional Transportation Authority, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, and Rochester‑Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, each of which received $17.5m. These funds will support projects such as new training and maintenance facilities, facility consolidation, installation of charging infrastructure, and procurement of battery‑electric and hydrogen‑electric fuel‑cell buses. Smaller grants were allocated to Suffolk County Transit, Broome County Transit, and Ulster County Area Transit to assist with bus purchases, facility planning, and charging site selection. The ZETT program, launched in December 2024 with an initial $100m and supplemented by an additional $20m in the FY26 budget, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health, and help fulfil the state’s clean energy objectives.
Lyft has announced it is set to open a new technology hub in downtown Toronto in the H2 26, thus marking its most significant tech expansion outside San Francisco and underscoring its strategy to grow internationally. The Toronto facility, located in the city’s financial district, will eventually employ several hundred staff across engineering, product, operations, and marketing. This move reflects Lyft’s aim to diversify beyond its USA stronghold, tapping into Canada’s tech talent pool and reinforcing its footprint in a market where rides increased by over 20% YoY in H1 25. Lyft also operates bikeshare programs in Ontario and Quebec, with teams in Longueuil and Montreal. The announcement follows Lyft’s acquisition of European mobility platform FreeNow (from BMW and Mercedes‑Benz for c.$200m), thus further illustrating its international expansion.
Stagecoach has announced it has installed its 1st third‑party EV charger for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) at its Nuneaton depot in Warwickshire. In partnership with e‑fleet provider VEV, this milestone utilises VEV’s smart charging and digital energy platform to test electric HGV charging. The depot features 45 high‑power chargers and a solar power system. Stagecoach plans to open its charging infrastructure to external businesses, such as logistics, waste, and emergency services, during off‑service hours, creating a secondary income stream while supporting broader transport decarbonisation. The initiative also aligns with Stagecoach’s regional electrification program, which includes deploying 150 new electric buses across depots in Leamington, Rugby, and Chesterfield. Solar installations at multiple depots are expected to save over £1m in grid electricity costs over their lifetimes. This trial positions Stagecoach and VEV as leaders in collaborative EV infrastructure, paving the way for shared depot charging across the industry.
BYD has announced it is launching a nationwide megawatt-scale public fast-charging network across South Africa, aiming to install 200–300 ultra-fast Flash chargers by late 2026. These chargers will deliver up to 1 MW of power, enabling EVs to gain approximately 400 km of range in around 5 minutes, comparable to traditional fuel refuelling. Initial deployment will focus on BYD dealerships, with expansion planned along major highways. The network will incorporate solar energy to help mitigate grid limitations. Although current BYD models in South Africa don’t support megawatt charging, the infrastructure is designed to accommodate future high-power EVs. With only 1,257 EVs sold in South Africa in 2024, the market remains small but is expected to grow rapidly. BYD’s strategy positions it as a leader in EV infrastructure, aiming to drive adoption through early investment in charging capabilities.
Tritium has announced it has appointed City Electrical Factors (CEF) as its first official hardware distributor in the UK, aiming to significantly expand access to its DC fast-charging solutions. Through CEF’s extensive network of over 390 branches, EV contractors nationwide can now source chargers and spare parts with enhanced delivery speeds, typically within 1-2 days, alongside access to credit terms. This streamlined approach replaces fragmented procurement by offering integrated delivery, installation, and maintenance services across the UK. The collaboration leverages CEF’s 70+ years of electrical distribution expertise and broad reach, positioning them as a key channel for deploying Tritium’s proven technology. To date, Tritium has deployed more than 21,000 chargers across over 50 countries. This partnership supports the UK’s shift toward electric mobility by reducing barriers to charger installation and ensuring reliable infrastructure for businesses, fleet operators, and communities. Both companies highlight the joint commitment to accelerating EV adoption through improved accessibility and faster deployment of high-performance charging systems.
Brookfield Asset Management has stated it is investing up to $5bn in Bloom Energy's advanced solid‑oxide fuel cell technology to power AI factories, high‑intensity data centres designed for AI workloads. These on‑site fuel cells offer scalable, reliable, and lower‑carbon electricity that can be deployed rapidly, within approximately 90 days, without relying on constrained legacy grids. The partnership aims to meet the soaring power demands of AI data centres, which are projected to rise from 4 GW in 2024 to over 120 GW by 2035. The collaboration will design and build such facilities globally, with the 1st European site expected to be announced before the end of 2025. Brookfield, which has already invested heavily in digital and renewable infrastructure, will integrate Bloom’s fuel cells as a core power solution in its new AI infrastructure strategy. The deal underscores a shift toward cleaner, decentralised energy systems to support next‑generation computing and reduce dependency on the traditional power grid.
Deals
Airbound, a Bengaluru-based startup developing lightweight VTOL drones, has secured $8.65m in seed funding to advance its autonomous delivery operations. This round was led by Lachy Groom, with participation from Humba Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners and Anduril. Airbound’s proprietary carbon-fibre manufacturing enables drones with a high 1:1.5 payload-to-weight ratio, vertical launch capability, and efficient horizontal flight, achieving speeds of c.60 km/h and near-silent operation. The company has launched a 3-month pilot with Narayana Health in Bengaluru, targeting approximately 10 medical deliveries daily to validate autonomy, reliability, and cost savings in healthcare logistics. Airbound plans to scale manufacturing, refine its systems, and expand beyond medical use for a broader commercial rollout by 2026.
FleetWorks, a USA-based logistics tech startup, has secured $17m to scale its AI-powered trucking marketplace. The funding includes a $15m Series A led by First Round Capital, with participation from Y Combinator, Saga Ventures, and LFX Venture Partners. FleetWorks aims to modernise freight matching by using advanced AI to reduce manual communication, enabling faster and more efficient connections between small trucking carriers and shippers. Its platform leverages tailored voice, text, and portal-based AI agents to negotiate pricing, coordinate schedules, and adapt to changes in load requirements and timing, thus streamlining operations traditionally handled through phone calls, emails, and texts. The new capital will be deployed to enhance hiring, accelerate commercial expansion, and further develop the company’s always-on AI dispatcher, positioning FleetWorks to reduce friction in the freight logistics sector.