Latest Developments in Electric Vehicles, Batteries, and Charging: GreenPower, DeCharge, Emobi, ElectricFish, Everged, ZM Trucks, Noveon Magnetics, SCPPA, and Lynkwell Feature Prominently
In the rapidly evolving world of electric vehicles (EVs), the United States is witnessing significant advancements in EV infrastructure. Here's a roundup of some of the latest developments.
GreenPower Motor Company Inc. has signed a $5 million contract with the state of New Mexico for a two-year all-electric school bus pilot project. The project will deploy six zero-emission, purpose-built buses from GreenPower, with three Type A Nano BEAST Access models in 2025-26 and three Type D BEAST and Mega BEAST models in 2026-27. This initiative is part of a growing focus on leveraging electric bus fleets for grid services.
Meanwhile, in California, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology integration with electric school buses is advancing notably. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), in partnership with Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) and The Mobility House, has launched one of California’s most advanced V2G electric school bus fleets. This system includes 14 electric school buses supported by 22 chargers—six of which are high-power bidirectional V2G DC fast chargers that allow the buses not only to charge but also to send electricity back to the grid.
Regarding community-owned EV charging networks, a decentralized startup called DeCharge is rolling out such networks that empower local hosts and fleets to monetize unused spaces by hosting EV chargers. This approach supports local ownership and management of EV infrastructure, making charging more accessible and community-driven, though it is an emerging development with less extensive deployment compared to V2G school buses.
Other notable developments include the launch of the ZM8 SWB, a versatile electric commercial vehicle optimized for tight urban environments, by ZM Trucks. The ZM8 SWB supports 12- to 16-foot box configurations, offers payloads up to 12,450 pounds, and has a range of up to 165 miles. Pre-orders are now open, with deliveries expected later this year.
DeCharge, a decentralized EV charging network, has launched in the U.S. to address the lack of public charging infrastructure with a community-powered model. Backed by $2.5 million in seed funding, DeCharge begins pilot programs in the DMV area, New York, and California, aiming to onboard over 1,000 hosts across 10 states within a year.
Lynkwell's ViaLynkTM platform will provide SCPPA members with software subscriptions, network integration for Level 2 and DC Fast Chargers, custom feature development, analytics, LCFS compliance reporting, and 24/7 U.S.-based support. The agreement between Lynkwell and SCPPA covers SCPPA's existing network of over 800 public and private charging stations and supports future expansion among its 11 municipal utilities and one irrigation district.
Noveon Magnetics, the only U.S. producer of sintered NdFeB magnets, offers a vertically integrated solution featuring its proprietary EcoFluxTM magnets made with recycled materials. The company has entered a multi-year supply agreement with General Motors to provide rare earth magnets for a range of GM's vehicle components, including full-size trucks and SUVs.
Finally, Everged has partnered with i-charging to bring over 1,000 high-performance DC fast chargers to the U.S. market. The partnership integrates Emobi's JustPlug technology with ElectricFish's 350Squared microgrid-scale energy storage system for ultra-fast EV charging while reducing grid dependency. The partnership between Everged and i-charging will deliver cutting-edge, reliable, and secure charging solutions with hardware capable of up to 400 kW per plug.
These developments indicate a growing focus on leveraging electric bus fleets for grid services and introducing innovative models for local EV charging infrastructure ownership in the US. As the EV revolution continues, we can expect to see more exciting advancements in the near future.
- The deployment of GreenPower's all-electric school buses in New Mexico underscores the importance of finance in supporting the development and implementation of new technology in the electric vehicle industry.
- The partnership between Everged and i-charging demonstrates the role of technology in enabling the creation of high-performance DC fast chargers, a crucial element in addressing the growing need for advanced and reliable EV charging infrastructure in the United States.
