Author: Daniel Whitford

Kent County Council has awarded a 20-year contract to Urban Fox to install up to 10,000 on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging sockets across the county, as part of a programme aimed at expanding access for residents without off-street parking. The rollout, supported by more than £12 million in central government funding, is scheduled to begin in summer 2026. The chargers will be installed primarily in residential streets where access to private driveways is limited, with locations selected based on local demand and technical suitability. The funding is provided by the UK Department for Transport through its Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure…

Phoenix Contact has introduced a combined CCS vehicle charging inlet and charging control unit, aiming to simplify electric vehicle architectures and reduce installation space for commercial and heavy-duty applications. The new product, branded CHARX connect advanced, integrates charging communication and control directly into the vehicle-side CCS charging socket, functions that have traditionally required separate external control devices. Phoenix Contact said sample units are already available for original equipment manufacturers, with series production scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026. The company, headquartered in Blomberg, Lippe, described the system as the world’s first CCS vehicle charging inlet with integrated…

TotalEnergies has formed a joint investment platform with asset manager Tikehau Capital to accelerate the rollout of public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Belgium and the Netherlands, the companies said. The platform, owned equally by TotalEnergies and Tikehau Capital, will focus on expanding and operating public charging concessions already developed by TotalEnergies in major cities across both countries, while also bidding for new municipal and regional tenders. See also: TotalEnergies and Banque des Territoires Form Joint Platform to Expand EV Charging in France The initiative is aimed at supporting local authorities as they scale urban charging networks and transition…

Sunswap has expanded into Australia through a partnership with Protran Solutions, marking the UK-based company’s sixth international market as it scales its battery- and solar-powered transport refrigeration technology. The move follows Sunswap’s growth across the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Chile, where its Endurance refrigeration units are already in operation with major retailers and logistics providers. The company positions its technology as a zero-emission alternative to diesel-powered transport refrigeration systems commonly used in cold-chain logistics. See also: ABB Installs First 400 kW A400 EV Chargers in Australia at Ampol Sydney Site Sunswap manufactures the Endurance unit, which is powered…

British electric drivetrain specialist Equipmake has received a further £2.4 million ($3.0 million) order from Brazilian bus manufacturer Agrale, extending an existing supply agreement for electric bus propulsion systems. The new order covers electric drivetrains for 23 Agrale buses of varying configurations and follows an earlier contract announced last September to supply systems for 50 vehicles. Those buses are currently being deployed in Buenos Aires, according to the company. See also: Equipmake Secures £5.45 Mln Order From Agrale For 50 Electric Bus Drivetrains Under the latest agreement, Equipmake will deliver fully integrated electric drivetrain systems, including electric motors, inverters, control…

Heliox, a charging technology subsidiary of Siemens, has introduced its VersiCharge Blue 80A charging system, aimed at fleet and commercial vehicle operators requiring high-power AC charging with minimal downtime. The VersiCharge Blue 80A delivers up to 80 amps of alternating current, equivalent to a maximum output of 19.2 kW, Heliox said. The system supports adjustable power delivery from 12A to 80A, allowing it to accommodate a range of fleet and facility charging needs. See also: Siemens Unveils Sicharge Flex Megawatt Charging System with Up to 1.68 MW Output Designed as a Level 2 charging solution, the system uses a J1772…

Public transport operator Kinetic, in partnership with the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, has opened a new purpose-built bus depot in Preston, Victoria, designed to support the rollout of zero-emission buses across Melbourne’s northern suburbs. The depot will accommodate up to 58 battery-electric buses and is the first in Victoria to feature an overhead gantry charging system, Kinetic said. The design allows charging infrastructure to be suspended above vehicles, reducing the need for ground-mounted equipment and enabling higher vehicle density and operational flexibility within the depot. See also: South Australia Orders 60 Electric Buses from Scania to Advance Zero-Emission…

ABB has installed its first A400 ultra-fast electric vehicle chargers in Australia, deploying 400 kilowatt units at an Ampol Foodary service station on Sydney’s M4 Motorway as part of a charging hub designed for heavy-duty and long-haul electric vehicles. The installation at the Eastern Creek Westbound site includes ten charging bays arranged in a drive-through layout to accommodate electric trucks and large vehicles, including those towing trailers. The companies said the configuration is aimed at reducing access constraints for commercial operators and supporting long-distance travel. See also: Australia Funds EV Charging Expansion and Vehicle-Grid Integration with A$21 Million ABB said…

Australia’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation has committed A$30.7 million ($30.7 million) in equity to Applied Electric Vehicles, backing the Melbourne-based manufacturer’s autonomous Blanc Robot fleet for deployment across industrial and logistics applications. The investment marks the fund’s first allocation under its Transport priority area and represents more than half of AEV’s roughly $40 million Series B funding round. Other investors in the round include Barrenjoey and Japan Post Capital, while existing backers include Suzuki Motor Corporation and St Baker. See also: Benteler Unit Holon Expands Management Team to Support Autonomous Shuttle Rollout AEV develops cab-less, flat-chassis autonomous electric vehicles designed…

Thirty-seven new electric buses will be added to Dunedin’s public transport network under two long-term contracts awarded by the Otago Regional Council (ORC) to Australian-based bus operator Kinetic, as New Zealand accelerates the shift toward zero-emission public transport. The contracts, valued at a combined NZ$100 million, will run for nine years from October 2026 and will be delivered under Kinetic’s Go Bus brand. The additional vehicles will increase Dunedin’s Kinetic-operated electric bus fleet to 53 units, strengthening the city’s progress toward full fleet electrification. See also: Metlink Expands Electric Bus Fleet with Addition of 16 New Battery-Electric Vehicles Kinetic operates…

Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) has officially entered the New Zealand market, unveiling three models at a brand launch ceremony in Auckland on Jan. 15 as it steps up its international expansion under a revamped global strategy. At the event, GAC introduced the AION V electric SUV, the Trumpchi M8 plug-in hybrid MPV and the Trumpchi GS3 Emzoom compact SUV, offering New Zealand consumers a mix of fully electric, plug-in hybrid and internal combustion options. The company said the lineup was selected to reflect local demand for greener mobility alongside practical family and lifestyle vehicles. The launch marks a milestone for…

Changan Mazda said it plans to introduce the Mazda CX-6e electric SUV to Australia and New Zealand later this year, extending the global rollout of the model beyond Europe as the automaker expands its electric vehicle portfolio. The CX-6e is the international version of Changan Mazda’s EZ-60, which made its global debut at the Brussels auto show in January. The model will enter the European market this summer before being launched in Australia and New Zealand, the joint venture said on Tuesday. See also: Mazda Brings China-Built CX-6e Electric SUV to Europe, Starting at €49,990 in Germany Changan Mazda, a…