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Axle Energy, a British energy flexibility platform that aggregates EV chargers, batteries and heat pumps for grid balancing, has closed a €21 million Series A led by Energize Capital, with Accel, Picus Capital and Eka Ventures participating. The company will use the funds to expand across the UK and international markets, connecting more distributed energy assets and deepening partnerships with OEMs, utilities and fleet operators. CEO Karl Bach said virtual power plants can bring flexible capacity online in weeks rather than years, reducing reliance on fossil fuel peaker plants when demand spikes.

Why it matters: For charge point operators and fleet managers, Axle's platform offers a revenue stream by turning idle EV chargers into grid services, while procurement teams at utilities and OEMs gain a partner to monetise flexibility and meet rising electricity demand from electrification and data centres. The Series A signals growing investor confidence in software that unlocks value from existing charging infrastructure without new capital expenditure on generation or grid upgrades.

EKA Mobility has begun deploying the first phase of an 876 electric bus order in Rajasthan under India's e-Bus scheme, as reported by Autocar Professional. The rollout marks a significant step in the state's public transport electrification programme.

Why it matters: Large fleet deployments of this scale signal growing demand for depot charging infrastructure and long term operations and maintenance contracts, offering opportunities for charging providers targeting India's public transport segment.

Eka and PMI have again secured electric bus tenders in India, outpacing established manufacturers Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland. The repeat success marks a shift in the competitive landscape for public transport electrification contracts. Mint reported the development, highlighting the growing presence of newer entrants in the Indian e-bus procurement market.

Why it matters: The result signals that newer OEMs are winning repeat public sector e-bus work, potentially reshaping supply chains and charging infrastructure partnerships. Procurement teams and CPOs should track which manufacturers are securing volume orders, as fleet rollouts will drive depot charging demand across Indian cities.

Indian manufacturer EKA Mobility sold 1,143 electric commercial vehicles in FY26, a fivefold year on year increase, and produced 1,344 units during the period. Electric buses drove growth through government backed deployments across multiple states, while the firm entered the medium and heavy commercial vehicle truck segment and expanded small commercial vehicle sales for last mile and intra city use. The company is scaling capacity to 10,000 buses, 6,000 trucks and 24,000 SCVs annually, with two Pune plants operational and a third facility in Pithampura, Madhya Pradesh, nearing completion.

Why it matters: The sharp production ramp and multi segment expansion signal growing procurement opportunities in India's electric commercial vehicle market, particularly for charging infrastructure providers targeting bus depots, logistics hubs and last mile delivery networks. EKA's capacity targets and geographic spread offer a clear pipeline for depot charging tenders and fleet electrification partnerships.

A new electric vehicle charging hub has launched at the Sainsbury's store on Tower Road at Gateway Retail Park in south Lowestoft, Suffolk. The facility, operated by Source, provides ultra-rapid charging infrastructure at the retail location. The hub was opened by Deepa Chandrasekaran, managing director at Source.

Why it matters: The deployment adds ultra-rapid charging capacity at a high-footfall retail site, reflecting the ongoing build-out of destination charging infrastructure in UK market towns. For procurement teams and site hosts, it demonstrates the viability of supermarket car parks as anchor locations for rapid charging hubs.

Researchers have developed a swarm intelligence based algorithm to optimise the integration of distributed generation and fast EV charging infrastructure in smart city networks, according to a study published via EurekAlert!. The approach addresses the technical challenge of coordinating renewable energy sources with high power EV charging demand on urban grids. The research offers a computational method for planners balancing grid stability with the rollout of rapid charging stations.

Why it matters: The algorithm provides procurement teams and charge point operators with a data driven tool to site fast chargers where distributed generation can support demand, potentially reducing grid reinforcement costs and accelerating deployment timelines in urban areas.

EKA Mobility and GreenCell have secured a letter of award to supply 915 electric buses to Hyderabad under India's PM E-DRIVE programme, according to Autocar Professional. The deployment forms part of the national scheme promoting electric mobility in public transport. No financial details or delivery timeline were disclosed in the report.

Why it matters: The award signals a major procurement milestone for Hyderabad's bus electrification and highlights the scale of opportunities under PM E-DRIVE for OEMs and charging infrastructure providers. Operators and CPOs should monitor contract details for associated charging infrastructure requirements across the 915 vehicle fleet.

Chartered Speed and EKA Mobility have secured a contract to supply 1,750 electric buses to Bengaluru, India. The order was reported by ET Auto via Google News, marking a significant procurement for the city's public transport electrification. No further financial or delivery timeline details were disclosed in the available excerpt.

Why it matters: This 1,750 unit order represents one of the larger single city electric bus procurements in India, signalling sustained demand for fleet electrification and associated charging infrastructure in Bengaluru. Suppliers and charging point operators should monitor deployment schedules for depot charging opportunities.

French CPO SEKAOP, founded in 2022, has connected to the Gireve interoperability platform to offer nationwide charging access and integrate Plug & Charge. The operator is expanding its own network of electric service stations in Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, with a fully electric station opening in March 2026. SEKAOP's app now provides access to all Gireve partner networks and features dynamic pricing, including subscriber offers and off-peak discounts, while the company also offers packaged charger and app solutions to dealerships.

Why it matters: The Gireve tie-up lets a regional CPO scale beyond its southern France footprint without building every site itself, a model that may appeal to other operators balancing owned infrastructure with roaming reach. Dynamic tariff management and B2B packages signal SEKAOP's push into fleet and dealer channels alongside public charging.

EKA Mobility has deployed electric buses for Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) in Odisha, India, in collaboration with Travel Time Mobility Pvt. Ltd. A total of 100 electric buses are planned for deployment across the capital region, with the rollout flagged off online by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The project aims to strengthen CRUT's operations and support the shift towards electric public transport in the state.

Why it matters: The 100 bus deployment represents a significant public transport electrification contract in India, signalling procurement opportunities for charging infrastructure and fleet management services across Odisha's capital region. The collaboration model between EKA Mobility and Travel Time Mobility may set a template for similar regional transit electrification projects.