Search: First WATT

Electric bus operator BasiGo and Rubis Energy Kenya have opened the first public fast-charging station at Sabaki, Athi River, with three more sites in Meru, Nanyuki and Nyeri due later this month. The stations feature 100 kW DC chargers supporting CCS2 and GB/T standards, capable of recharging a bus or van in under an hour at approximately 48 Kenyan shillings per kilowatt hour, and are designed to serve buses, vans, trucks and passenger cars on inter-city routes.

Why it matters: The rollout extends public charging beyond Nairobi into regional corridors, lowering infrastructure risk for fleet operators considering electric buses and commercial vehicles on longer routes. Standardised fast-charging at fuel-retail sites also signals a replicable model for scaling EV infrastructure in East Africa.

DASH, Alexandria Virginia's public transit agency, has started construction on two 360 kilowatt overhead pantograph chargers at its West Alexandria Transit Center, the first en-route electric bus charging infrastructure in the DC metro area. ABM will provide the charging services under a project funded by DASH, the City of Alexandria and roughly 1 million US dollars in federal money, with completion expected by 2027. DASH operates 16 battery electric buses today and has 20 more in procurement.

Why it matters: En-route charging infrastructure opens a new procurement category for transit agencies seeking to extend vehicle range and fleet utilisation without expanding depot footprints. The ABM contract and federal co-funding model offer a template for similar deployments across US metro transit systems.

First WATT Renewable Limited and MTN Nigeria have announced a strategic partnership to deploy approximately 34 MWp of solar photovoltaic capacity and 40 MWh of battery energy storage across MTN facilities nationwide, alongside renewable energy infrastructure to power 60 kW EV charging stations at eight MTN sites in Ikoyi, Matori, Ojota, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Asaba, Kano and Ibadan. The Energy as a Service programme targets data centres, switch facilities, cable landing stations, customer service centres and other network critical locations to reduce diesel dependence and lower operating emissions.

Why it matters: The partnership demonstrates how telecom operators with extensive property portfolios can anchor renewable powered EV charging rollouts, creating procurement opportunities for solar, battery storage and charging hardware suppliers. Eight confirmed charging locations across major Nigerian cities signal a scalable model for integrating EV infrastructure into existing commercial real estate.

City Water, Light and Power has opened the first publicly operated Level 2 charging stations in Springfield, Illinois, with initial installations at the University of Illinois at Springfield, Parkway Pointe on Freedom Drive, and West Wabash Avenue and Drawbridge Road. The full rollout will deliver 40 charging ports across nine locations, all 240 volt Level 2 units adding 25 to 35 miles of range per hour at $0.26 per kilowatt hour. B & B Electric installed the chargers under contract with Hanson Professional Services.

Why it matters: The nine site, 40 port municipal deployment shows a mid sized US city entering the public charging market directly through its utility, creating procurement opportunities for contractors and equipment suppliers in demand led expansion zones. The Level 2 focus and per kilowatt hour pricing model offer a reference case for other municipal utilities evaluating similar infrastructure investments.

TransiT, a national UK research hub, is building the first simulation of an electric delivery truck journey from London to East Midlands Airport to determine charging infrastructure requirements along the M1 motorway. The project, led by Heriot-Watt University researcher Alex Foote in collaboration with Cranfield University and DHL, uses data from DHL's UK fleet of around 6,500 trucks and vans to model the transition from zero electric HGVs to 100% electric by 2050. The research aims to demonstrate that electric HGVs are viable for long haul freight earlier than expected.

Why it matters: The simulation will provide evidence based infrastructure planning for electric HGV charging along strategic freight corridors, helping CPOs and network planners identify where high power charging sites are needed to support commercial fleet electrification. Understanding freight volume, frequency and route patterns will inform procurement decisions for depot and en route charging infrastructure capable of supporting heavy duty vehicles.

Pakistan's first lithium-ion battery production plant is expected to become operational in Karachi's Korangi Industrial Area within the next two to three months, with an initial capacity of 4 megawatts. The facility, being developed by EV Technologies, will initially manufacture batteries for electric bikes, e-scooters and electric vehicles. The National Lithium-Ion Battery Manufacturing Policy 2026 to 2031 is moving towards approval, with the government considering lower import tariffs on battery assembly components to support local production.

Why it matters: The plant represents Pakistan's first domestic lithium battery manufacturing capability, potentially reducing import dependency and costs for EV charging operators and fleet buyers in the country. Lower tariffs on battery components could improve the business case for local EV adoption and charging infrastructure investment.

Windrose has successfully charged an electric truck using a megawatt charging system (MCS) at an EV Realty site in San Bernardino, California, marking the first MCS charging session supported by Kempower hardware in the US. The site, which is not yet open to the public but is due to launch next month, recently secured investment from Outpost to support shared charging infrastructure for electric trucking. The interoperability trial demonstrated that trucks, charging hardware and backend communication systems all work together as expected.

Why it matters: The successful MCS trial signals growing commercial readiness for heavy duty EV charging infrastructure in the US, with Kempower now proven in live conditions alongside Windrose and Tesla as early MCS providers. For CPOs and developers, the test validates the technical integration needed to support the emerging electric trucking market, particularly as EV Realty prepares to open shared charging sites backed by institutional capital.

BYD is working on a second generation megawatt DC fast charging system capable of 1,500 kW output, according to unofficial reports from China cited by CarNewsChina.com. The system will handle up to 1,500 amps at up to 1,000 volts. BYD's first generation Flash Charging launched in March 2025 with 1,000 kW output via two GB/T plugs, enabling vehicles to add 400 km CLTC range in 5 minutes.

Why it matters: The move to 1.5 MW charging signals an escalating power arms race among OEMs and CPOs, requiring upgraded grid connections, cooling systems and site design. Procurement teams will need to assess whether ultra high power infrastructure investments align with fleet charging profiles and vehicle compatibility timelines.