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Presto and bp pulse Expand Fleet EV Fast-Charging
Presto signed a collaboration agreement with bp pulse to integrate the network operator’s DC fast-charging infrastructure into Presto’s EV roaming and charging platform. The strategic alignment targets high-mileage commercial operators, including rideshare, rental car, and last-mile delivery fleets. The software-side integration allows Presto users to locate bp pulse charging infrastructure, monitor real-time dispenser availability, initiate charging sessions, and consolidate reporting metrics directly through Presto’s mobile application and open API architecture.
The operational framework focuses heavily on maximizing asset utilization across bp pulse’s public charging footprint, which is backed by a global footprint of over 41,000 charge points and a domestic retail presence spanning 8,000 locations. The integration includes access to bp pulse’s high-capacity flagship Hub installations located near major logistics corridors, such as Los Angeles International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport. For commercial fleet operators, the unified network access is designed to mitigate driver downtime and simplify fragmented B2B payment processing structures.
Ford Energy & EDF Agree
Ford Energy and EDF Power Solutions North America have executed a five-year framework agreement enabling the procurement of up to 4 GWh of DC Block battery energy storage systems annually, totaling up to 20 GWh. Deliveries under the contract are scheduled to commence in 2028 to support grid-scale renewable integration and grid resilience across the United States.
The utility-grade procurement utilizes the Ford Energy DC Block, a standardized 20-foot containerized BESS featuring a rated capacity of 5.45 MWh per unit. The system integrates 512 Ah lithium iron phosphate prismatic cells operating within a voltage range of 1,040–1,500 VDC. The liquid-cooled hardware supports both 2-hour and 4-hour discharge configurations for applications including frequency regulation, voltage support, energy arbitrage, and microgrid integration.
The domestic manufacturing framework establishes supply chain traceability and long-term lifecycle support for EDF Power Solutions’ utility-scale pipeline. The agreement positions Ford Energy as a tier-one BESS supplier, leveraging industrial manufacturing discipline to mitigate supply chain volatility for large-scale North American grid developers.
Hawaii NEVI EV Charging @ Maui Kapalua Airport
The Hawaii Department of Transportation, in coordination with Public Benefit Company Sustainability Partners, commissioned its third National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funded fast-charging depot at Maui Kapalua Airport. The round-the-clock facility integrates four 150 kW DC fast chargers equipped with native North American Charging Standard and Combined Charging System connectors. To ensure operational uptime and safety, the site includes dedicated canopy illumination and integrated security camera infrastructure.
The project leverages an Electric Vehicle-as-a-Service infrastructure procurement model to mitigate upfront public capital expenditure while insulating the state from long-term maintenance liabilities. Under the programmatic deployment framework, Sustainability Partners acts as an infrastructure utility, charging a month-to-month usage fee to manage procurement, installation, and perpetual technology curation. HDOT aims for the West Maui site to reduce range anxiety for passenger fleets and rental vehicles, aligning with statewide transportation electrification and grid resilience targets.
Moment Energy UL Cert for Second-Life BMS
Moment Energy achieved UL 60730-1 functional safety certification for its proprietary battery management system, marking a global first for hardware engineered exclusively for repurposed electric vehicle batteries. The regulatory milestone establishes a standardized compliance pathway for second-life battery energy storage systems, addressing the historical safety gap and reverse-engineering complexities associated with legacy automotive software architectures. By securing this functional safety validation, the company aims to mitigate commercial underwriting friction, streamline local permitting, and accelerate industrial BESS deployment within urban environments.
The certified BMS infrastructure operates concurrently with Moment Energy’s existing UL 1974, UL 1973, and UL 9540 compliance framework, safeguarding intellectual property boundaries for automotive original equipment manufacturers. This certified safety layer serves as the baseline for the company’s predictive AI and machine learning optimization algorithms, which manage telemetry and state-of-health diagnostics for critical infrastructure applications. Sourced via tier-one automotive partnerships, including Mercedes-Benz Energy, the hardware is manufactured across facilities in Texas and British Columbia to serve data center, microgrid, and commercial and industrial segments.
Omron Launches High-Voltage DC Relays
Omron Electronic Components introduced the G9KD and G9KJ high-voltage DC power relays, targeting the safety, thermal performance, and footprint minimization requirements of next-generation energy storage systems, vehicle-to-everything charging nodes, and electric vehicle infrastructure. The product introduction directly addresses the industry migration toward 800V and 1,500V architecture power electronics by supplying printed circuit board-mounted alternatives to traditional, bulkier mechanical contactors.
The G9KD serves as a high-capacity main circuit PCB relay engineered to switch loads up to 1,500 VDC while continuously carrying currents up to 150A, utilizing low contact resistance and high dielectric insulation strength to scale down bill-of-materials space and implementation costs. Positioned as a system complement, the G9KJ functions as a compact pre-charge relay tailored to regulate inrush current, protecting downstream components and stabilizing voltage transitions during system initialization. Both hardware solutions enable integrated, high-density power electronics layouts capable of operating within high-stress infrastructure environments.
Bosch Supplies Mercedes-Benz Electric Motors
Robert Bosch GmbH has secured a high-volume supply contract from Mercedes-Benz AG to provide electric motors for the premium automaker’s next-generation electric powertrains. The long-term agreement extends into the 2030s and covers multiple performance classes. This supply win follows a fiscal 2025 cycle where Bosch secured over 70 electromobility customer projects globally, expanding its active customer base to more than 50 international automotive manufacturers.
The upcoming motor architectures leverage advanced winding technology and direct rotor oil cooling to achieve up to 98 percent efficiency while maximizing power density. Built on a scalable platform layout, the design enables variable motor lengths to accommodate diverse axle configurations, reducing total system weight, packaging constraints, and manufacturing costs across vehicle segments. Driven by global demand, Bosch projects an annual production volume exceeding seven million electric driving components by the end of 2026.
Bojangles EV Charging XLR8 America Partnership
Bojangles announced the launch of its initial electric vehicle charging station at its Savannah, Georgia commercial location, establishing a footprint within the emerging quick-service restaurant charging sector. Developed in collaboration with sustainable infrastructure provider XLR8 America and engineering firm Energy and Environmental Design Services, the deployment initiates a planned national infrastructure rollout across the restaurant chain’s regional footprint to target long-distance and local fleet drivers.
The charging hubs will integrate a combination of Level 2 and Level 3 direct-current fast charging hardware, maintaining a targeted system availability uptime metric of over 97 percent. The integration of high-power charging assets into roadside quick-service real estate is intended to monetize average vehicle dwell times, transforming standard dining stops into vehicle refueling opportunities. The initiative aligns with commercial real estate shifts toward high-voltage utility installations to capture consumer retail traffic from migrating electric vehicle platforms.
Pursuit Launches Electric Ice Explorer Pilot
Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality announced the deployment of the world’s first electrified Ice Explorer vehicle onto the Athabasca Glacier within Jasper National Park, Alberta. Developed for the Columbia Icefield Adventure fleet, the purpose-built vehicle represents a pilot initiative to evaluate zero-emission heavy-duty transport viability within ecologically sensitive glacial environments. The deployment builds on prior fleet optimization efforts, which included upgrading existing diesel assets to EPA Tier 3 and Tier 4 emissions compliance levels.
Engineered from the chassis up in partnership with heavy-duty electric vehicle conversion firm Noble Northern, the redesigned vehicle frame is over 50 percent lighter than conventional diesel variants. Power generation is supplemented via a six-kilowatt onboard installation of bifacial solar panels combined with regenerative braking energy recovery systems. For operational management on rugged ice terrain, the powertrain integrates advanced safety systems and geofencing technology to automatically regulate vehicle velocity and brake application across designated glacial coordinates, reducing calculated carbon output by an estimated 200 to 300 kilograms of CO2 per operating day.
Zum Bidirectional Electric School Bus Fleet in San Francisco
Zum announced the deployment of a fully electric school bus fleet to the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), integrating electric vehicles, smart charging infrastructure, and its proprietary Connected Mobility Experience (CMX) software. Scheduled to begin deployment in August 2026, the initiative will introduce 104 electric buses equipped with bidirectional vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities, making it the largest bidirectional fleet in the United States. The fleet is projected to expand to 238 electric vehicles by the 2027-2028 school year.
The hardware deployment features modern charging systems capable of returning approximately 3 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity to the local utility grid annually during peak hours. This V2G infrastructure transforms the fleet into a distributed energy resource capable of supporting localized power demands. Funding for the project is supported by grants and incentives from EPA Region 9, the California Energy Commission, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and PG&E.
Operating on the unified Zum CMX platform, the network orchestrates routing, dispatch, driver workflows, and real-time energy management. The technology optimization has historically yielded a 98% on-time performance rate and reduced SFUSD transportation expenditures by 10%, translating to roughly $3.5 million in annual savings. The program follows similar V2G fleet deployments by Zum in Oakland, California, and Branford, Connecticut.
Erie Public Schools Deploys First Electric Bus Fleet
Erie Public Schools finalized the deployment of its inaugural electric school bus fleet, integrating 12 IC electric school buses and 12 Tellus 30kW charging units into its student transportation network. Supported by a 4.8 million dollar grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean School Bus Program, the initiative funds both the rolling stock and critical facility infrastructure upgrades at the district transportation complex. Highland Electric Fleets will manage the deployment under an Electrification-as-a-Service contract, covering ongoing infrastructure maintenance, vehicle telemetry monitoring, and operational risk mitigation.
The transition to a software-defined, zero-emission fleet targets a reduction in operating expenditures by minimizing mechanical complexity relative to legacy internal combustion engine powertrains. Transitioning to electric drivetrains dampens fleet exposure to diesel commodity price volatility while reducing powertrain acoustic signatures to approximately 25% of legacy diesel ambient decibel levels. Epidemiological metrics from the district indicate the displacement of diesel exhaust particulate matter will mitigate regional pediatric asthma risks, projecting localized air quality improvements for roughly 1500 students across regular transit corridors.