ZM Trucks & Morgan Truck Body Partner
ZM Trucks, a leader in innovative electric commercial vehicles, has announced a strategic partnership with Morgan Truck Body, North America’s top manufacturer of freight and refrigerated truck bodies. This collaboration will integrate ZM Trucks’ advanced electric chassis systems—including a 600v dual ePTO and 24v infrastructure—with Morgan’s industry-leading upfit solutions for various truck body types such as Dry Freight, Refrigerated, Platform, and Dump.
The alliance underscores both companies’ commitment to innovation, sustainability, and enhancing fleet efficiency. ZM Trucks is establishing its first North American headquarters and manufacturing site in Fontana, California, to support growing demand. The company will showcase its ZM8 Class 5/6 truck at ACT Expo 2025 in Anaheim, California.
This move marks a significant step toward delivering high-performance, zero-emission commercial vehicles tailored to fleet needs across new markets, including North America, South America, and the Middle East.
First Student Surpasses 6 Million Electric Miles
First Student, North America’s leader in electric school bus transportation, has surpassed 6 million electric miles driven, marking a major milestone in its commitment to sustainable student transportation. To celebrate the achievement and honor Earth Day, the company is partnering with One Tree Planted to plant 1,300 trees, one for each of its North American school district partners.
Operating the largest fleet of electric school buses on the continent, First Student continues to lead in fleet electrification with innovations like First Charge, an above-ground EV charging solution. With 450 electric buses in service, the company is not only reducing emissions but also improving air quality for students and communities.
Recognized with awards such as the BIG Green Product of the Year and the 2025 Edison Award, First Student remains at the forefront of clean transportation solutions and environmental stewardship.
NSSL Expands Electric Shunt Truck Fleet
National Shunt Service Ltd. (NSSL), a leader in North American yard management, is expanding its fleet of Orange EV electric shunt trucks across Canada and the U.S. This move reinforces NSSL’s commitment to operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. The company has integrated multiple Orange EV truck models into live operations, with strong results in performance, reliability, and cost savings.
NSSL President Ray Stewart highlighted their support in launching a fully electric yard for a major client, showcasing leadership in sustainable logistics. Orange EV praised NSSL’s implementation of their e-TRIEVER and HUSK-e trucks, which offer high performance and reduced operating costs.
Beyond vehicle deployment, NSSL upgraded its Shuntware system to track EV metrics in real-time, offering insights into energy use, charging status, and environmental impact. This end-to-end approach reflects NSSL’s role in shaping a smarter, greener future for yard management.
Ascend Elements Cuts Emissions Nearly in Half
A new independent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) confirms that Ascend Elements’ Hydro-to-Cathode® process is significantly cleaner than traditional battery recycling methods. The process reduces carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions by 49% and PM 2.5 emissions by 26%. With plans for 100% renewable energy use, rail transport, and low-carbon reagents, Ascend aims to slash CO2e emissions by 86% and PM 2.5 by 94% by 2030.
The LCA also shows that Ascend’s lithium recovery process emits just 2.3 kg of CO2e per kg of lithium carbonate—86% lower than emissions from mining spodumene and 37% lower than Chilean brine extraction. The company targets a 99% emissions reduction by 2030, alongside PM 2.5 reductions of up to 99.7%.
Ascend operates one of North America’s largest battery recycling plants and is building the continent’s largest pCAM manufacturing facility in Kentucky, capable of supporting 750,000 EV batteries per year. Founded in 2015, Ascend Elements is a leading domestic supplier of sustainable, engineered battery materials.
Electric Era Revolutionizes EV Charging
Electric Era has launched its new Retailer AI platform, an AI-powered, voice-activated system designed to enhance the EV charging experience while creating new business opportunities for retailers. The platform transforms charging stations into interactive, branded customer engagement hubs—offering voice-guided concierge services, instant ordering, loyalty-based discounts, and personalized promotions.
Retailer AI recognizes vehicles, assesses needs like charge levels and trip distance, and integrates with point-of-sale systems to enable shopping directly from the charging screen or by voice. It’s one of the first consumer-facing AI applications in U.S. retail environments and is set to roll out at select locations in late 2025.
Built on Electric Era’s high-performance, battery-backed fast-charging tech—already deployed with partners like Costco and Giant Eagle—Retailer AI expands the company’s mission to electrify transportation while helping retailers boost customer engagement and revenue through a smarter, more interactive charging journey.
Kia EV Drivers Gain Access to Tesla Supercharger Network
Kia EV6, EV9, and Niro owners can now access over 21,500 Tesla Superchargers across the U.S., dramatically expanding their total fast-charging network to over 40,000 DC fast chargers. This integration—available through the Kia Access app and compatible infotainment systems—enhances convenience and helps reduce range anxiety. Kia EVs equipped with NACS ports or NACS adapters can utilize this network, and enrollment is managed via the Kia Charge Pass program. Kia emphasized its commitment to EV ownership experience and condemned recent vandalism of EV infrastructure. Adapters for CCS1 vehicles are available through Kia dealers.
Nanoramic Opens New Headquarters
Nanoramic, a trailblazer in advanced battery materials, marked a major milestone with the grand opening of its new 40,000-square-foot headquarters in Woburn, Massachusetts. The state-of-the-art facility is now the hub for commercial production of Neocarbonix®, Nanoramic’s groundbreaking battery technology that promises to transform energy storage with higher performance, lower cost, and a sustainable footprint.
At the core of Nanoramic’s innovation is Neocarbonix®, a drop-in replacement for traditional lithium-ion battery materials that eliminates harmful PFAS and NMP chemicals. This next-generation electrode technology boosts energy density, enhances fast-charging capabilities, and improves safety—all while reducing manufacturing costs and energy consumption. The product is now shipping commercially from the new facility, a sign of the company’s shift from R&D to global scalability.
“Our new Woburn headquarters is designed to power the next era of battery innovation,” said Nanoramic CEO and founder John Cooley. “With cutting-edge dry rooms and space for expansion, we’re now positioned to support customers worldwide in adopting Neocarbonix and advancing cleaner, more efficient battery solutions.”
The event drew praise from industry partners and city officials alike. Woburn Mayor Michael Concannon hailed Nanoramic as a perfect fit for the city’s growing clean technology ecosystem, while representatives from Samsung Ventures and Cummings Properties highlighted the company’s long-term impact on both innovation and sustainability.
Founded in 2009 out of MIT, Nanoramic is partnering with major global automakers, battery manufacturers, and electronics companies to integrate Neocarbonix across industries. With its Woburn facility now online, the company is entering a new phase of growth, aiming to accelerate the adoption of its disruptive technology on a global scale.
Greenlane Launches First EV Charging Hub in Colton, CA
Greenlane has opened its first advanced EV charging station in Colton, California, strategically located at the intersection of Interstates 215 and 10. The site features over 40 high-speed chargers and amenities for truck drivers, supporting commercial EV infrastructure. Nevoya, the first zero-emissions electric trucking carrier in the U.S., will be Greenlane’s first fleet customer, beginning operations in May 2025 with plans to scale to 100 electric trucks. The $15 million project, funded by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, highlights a major step toward sustainable freight transport.
EV Connect and Presto Partner
EV Connect and Presto have announced a strategic collaboration to enhance EV fleet charging accessibility and optimize charging station utilization. Fleet drivers using the Presto app can now locate, charge, and pay at over 16,000 EV Connect connectors nationwide, simplifying the charging process. The partnership also enables EV Connect site operators to adopt flexible pricing strategies and boost visibility among high-demand fleet users, including ride-hailing, rental, and delivery services. This alliance aims to drive charging session volume, improve ROI for site hosts, and support the growing needs of the commercial EV market.