Search: Volta Charging

West Berkshire has been ranked the best local authority in Great Britain for home EV charging, scoring 8.55 out of 10 in research by Volta Charge Points. The study assessed factors including off street parking availability, domestic charger installations, electricity costs and commute times. Around 67 per cent of homes in West Berkshire have off street parking, the area has recorded 94 domestic EV charger installations, and average car commute times stand at 26 minutes.

Why it matters: The research highlights geographic disparities in home charging feasibility across Britain, signalling where residential charge point demand and installation volumes are likely to concentrate. For installers and suppliers, the data points to West Berkshire and similar high scoring authorities as priority markets for domestic hardware sales and deployment.

EV Connection unveiled JomChargeX on Monday, a DC charging brand offering stations from 200 kW to a planned 1,200 kW ceiling, promising 20% to 70% charge in five minutes for 1,000 volt architecture vehicles. The Proton e.MAS 5, Malaysia's bestselling EV with 13,530 units registered in the first half of 2026, accepts only 71 kW DC charging and would take approximately 21 minutes for a 30% to 80% charge at the new stations. The deployment highlights a voltage architecture gap between installed infrastructure and the dominant vehicle fleet.

Why it matters: Procurement teams face a mismatch risk: investing in megawatt class hardware that the current vehicle parc cannot use at rated capacity, raising questions about utilisation forecasts and payback timelines. The case underscores the need to align charger specifications with fleet voltage architecture roadmaps rather than headline power figures alone.

Osprey Charging Network has deployed its first Battery Energy Storage System at its Lamb & Flag rapid charging station on the A40 in Abergavenny, integrating battery storage with three 75kW rapid charge points. The charge point operator will use its Osprey Iris software platform to monitor energy flows, battery usage and operating costs on the low voltage grid connection, with findings set to inform future BESS rollouts across its nationwide network. The installation was delivered in partnership with Palmer Energy Technology.

Why it matters: The pilot marks Osprey's entry into battery storage integration and will generate performance data to guide procurement decisions for BESS deployments across one of the UK's largest public rapid charging networks. CPOs and suppliers can expect Osprey to use the trial results to shape specifications and site selection criteria for future battery storage tenders.

Between 2024 and 2025, several charging network operators withdrew from or scaled back US operations, including Engie and Enel X (both exiting in 2024), Shell (halting its 2,000 charger Volta network in August 2025 and selling portions to JOLT in November), while EVgo secured major funding. The article forms part three of a series examining the evolution of America's charging infrastructure market.

Why it matters: The exits and asset sales signal that charging economics remain challenging even for established energy majors, reshaping the competitive landscape for procurement teams evaluating long term network partners. The consolidation creates openings for new entrants and may affect site availability or contract stability for fleet and property operators.

Volvo has confirmed its EX90 electric SUV will use 800 volt technology, marking a shift in the Swedish brand's electrical architecture for its top model. The move aligns the vehicle with higher voltage platforms now appearing across premium segments. No specific charging speed or battery capacity figures were disclosed in the announcement.

Why it matters: The 800 volt standard is becoming a competitive baseline for premium EVs, influencing the power levels and connector specifications that charging networks must support. Procurement teams planning infrastructure for fleet or public sites should track which OEMs are committing to higher voltage platforms, as these vehicles typically demand 350 kW capable hardware to deliver their headline charging performance.

Research from the AHEAD project confirms that even moderate electric vehicle penetration levels can cause thermal overloads, voltage deviations and operational uncertainty in distribution networks when charging is uncoordinated. The study found that while home charging remains dominant, workplace, public parking and fast-charging stations show different patterns in predictability and flexibility, shaped by user preferences, mobility needs, infrastructure availability, electricity prices and weather conditions.

Why it matters: Distribution system operators and charge point operators must plan infrastructure deployment with coordination strategies in mind, as unmanaged charging at moderate penetration levels already risks network stress. Understanding the distinct charging patterns across home, workplace and public sites helps inform site selection and load management approaches for resilient grid integration.

Bosch has signed a binding funding agreement with the US Department of Commerce for up to 225 million dollars under the CHIPS and Science Act to expand semiconductor manufacturing in Roseville, California. The funds support Bosch's total investment of up to two billion dollars at the site, acquired from TSI Semiconductors in 2023, where pilot production of silicon carbide chips on 200 millimetre wafers has begun and commercial manufacturing is set to start later this year. The SiC chips, which operate more efficiently at high voltages and temperatures than conventional silicon, are primarily intended for electric vehicle power electronics to improve range, charging performance and energy efficiency.

Why it matters: Silicon carbide semiconductors are critical components in EV charging infrastructure and vehicle power systems, directly affecting charger efficiency and vehicle charging speeds. Expanded US based SiC production may improve supply chain resilience and component availability for CPOs and OEMs deploying high power charging networks.

Nissan is heading Project SUITE, a £10 million UK Government backed initiative to develop technologies that reduce home and public charging costs and improve EV efficiency. Engineers at the Nissan Technical Centre Europe in Cranbrook, Kent, are working on solutions including vehicle integrated solar panels to extend range, building on the solar powered Ariya concept unveiled earlier this year with photovoltaic panels on the bonnet, roof and tailgate. The project aims to fundamentally change how electric vehicles are charged, powered and experienced.

Why it matters: A £10 million research programme targeting cheaper charging infrastructure and onboard energy generation could influence future procurement specifications and reduce operating costs for charge point operators. Vehicle integrated solar technology may also shift demand patterns at public charging sites if range anxiety decreases.

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.

Kia has reduced pricing on its 2026 EV6 electric crossover line in the United States, with cuts ranging from 5,000 dollars on the entry Light SR (now starting at 37,900 dollars before destination charges) to 5,900 dollars on the top GT-Line AWD (now 53,000 dollars). The updated model year adds Plug and Charge capability and includes a dual-voltage charging cable as standard across all trims, with DC fast-charger adapters provided in ZEV states. Kia said the repricing, alongside the launch of its new EV3 SUV, aims to make EVs more accessible to buyers.

Why it matters: Lower EV pricing and standardised Plug and Charge support may accelerate adoption and increase utilisation at compatible charge-point networks. The move signals intensifying competition among automakers to drive volume, which could influence infrastructure investment priorities and interoperability standards in the US market.

The HV-MELA-BAT project, coordinated by Fraunhofer ISE in Germany, has developed power-electronic converters for XXL EV charging aimed at heavy-duty and passenger transport requiring higher currents and voltages. Four galvanically isolated modular DC/DC converters, each transferring over 250kW, can be connected in parallel to deliver 1MW charging power. The isolated converters operate at switching frequencies up to 200kHz, achieving 9kW/l volumetric power density and 99% efficiency.

Why it matters: The modular 1MW system addresses grid capacity and power-electronics challenges for ultra-fast heavy-duty charging, offering CPOs and depot operators a scalable architecture for megawatt-scale infrastructure. High efficiency and compact design reduce installation footprint and operating costs in commercial fleet applications.

Ars Technica has published a technical explainer on 800 V electrical architecture in electric vehicles, examining how doubling voltage from the standard 400 V affects charging speeds, component design and thermal management. The article provides context for procurement professionals evaluating charging infrastructure compatibility as more manufacturers adopt the higher voltage standard. The piece appears in Ars Technica's automotive coverage.

Why it matters: Understanding 800 V architecture is essential for CPOs and infrastructure planners specifying chargers that must serve both legacy 400 V vehicles and newer 800 V models. The technical differences influence equipment selection, site electrical design and future proofing decisions for charging networks.

Indian firms Servotech Renewable Power and Electra EV have secured a patent from the Indian Patent Office for a charging device that enables low-voltage EVs operating below 200V DC to access fast DC charging through existing high-voltage CCS2 infrastructure. The technology uses integrated power management and voltage conversion to bridge the gap for small commercial EVs, pickup vans and vehicles built to the GB/T Bharat DC 001 standard, which have historically been unable to use India's widely deployed high-voltage fast-charging network. CCS2 infrastructure supports ultra-fast charging capabilities of up to 500kW or more.

Why it matters: The patent could expand the addressable market for existing CCS2 charging infrastructure in India by making it compatible with low-voltage commercial fleets and GB/T Bharat DC 001 vehicles. CPOs may see increased utilisation of high-voltage chargers without needing separate low-voltage hardware, while procurement teams can consider dual-use infrastructure for mixed-voltage fleets.

MAN Truck & Bus has completed winter testing of four Lion's Coach E electric coaches in northern Sweden and Erzurum, Turkey, where temperatures reached around –30°C. The trials, conducted over several weeks and thousands of kilometres, assessed high-voltage battery performance, energy management, charging capability and thermal systems in snow and ice conditions. The testing follows the coach's debut at Busworld Europe last autumn and aims to validate operational readiness before commercial deployment.

Why it matters: Successful cold-weather validation of electric coaches is critical for operators in northern markets and demonstrates vehicle reliability under extreme conditions that affect range and charging infrastructure performance. The trials signal MAN's readiness to compete in the growing electric coach segment, relevant for depot planners and fleet procurement teams evaluating long-distance EV options.

Autostrade per l'Italia has awarded E.ON Drive Infrastructure Italy three lots to build 104 ultra-fast charging points at 18 service areas on key motorway corridors, including the A4 Turin to Trieste and A14 Bologna to Taranto routes, by the end of 2026. Each site will feature four to eight Alpitronic HYC400 chargers with up to 400 kW per point, plus canopies with photovoltaic systems and battery storage to optimise solar generation and reduce grid peak loads. All stations will offer card payment without subscription, transparent pricing and high accessibility standards.

Why it matters: The award signals a major motorway charging rollout in Italy and highlights demand for high power Alpitronic hardware paired with on-site solar and storage. Contractors and equipment suppliers targeting Italian concession tenders can benchmark the four to eight charger format and integrated energy management approach now being deployed on ASPI's network.

E.ON Drive has been awarded a competitive tender by ASPI, one of Europe's leading toll-road operators managing around 3,000 km of Italian motorway network, to install 104 ultra-fast charging points of up to 400 kW across 18 service areas on the A4 (Turin to Trieste) and A14 (Bologna to Taranto) corridors. Each site will integrate photovoltaic systems and battery storage, powered entirely by green energy. The tender is part of a wider ASPI programme covering 60 service areas to meet European AFIR requirements for long-distance electric mobility infrastructure.

Why it matters: The award demonstrates how major European toll-road operators are procuring integrated energy hubs combining solar, storage and ultra-fast charging to comply with AFIR mandates. For CPOs and suppliers, the 60 site programme signals a substantial pipeline of motorway charging opportunities across Italy's busiest routes.

Porsche Engineering has added a high voltage charging management system (CMS) to its offering for automotive manufacturers. The modular software solution handles charge planning, power detection, vehicle authentication, infrastructure communication, charging flap control and mobile app data provision, and is compatible with most global specifications. Porsche Engineering operates as a technology partner within Porsche SE, the investment holding company that owns a majority of Volkswagen AG.

Why it matters: Automakers seeking integrated charging software can now procure a turnkey CMS from an established automotive engineering partner, potentially accelerating deployment timelines. The global compatibility claim suggests manufacturers can standardise charging management across multiple markets with a single supplier.

Jolt has entered the United States market by acquiring Volta charging infrastructure, saving the sites from dismantlement. The deal marks Jolt's expansion into the US after Volta's operational challenges. No financial terms or site counts were disclosed in the available report.

Why it matters: The acquisition preserves existing charging infrastructure and signals consolidation in the US market as operators seek to absorb distressed assets. CPOs and site hosts should monitor whether Jolt maintains existing agreements or renegotiates terms at former Volta locations.