The Great British Charge-Off

October 14, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya City hosted the inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup, the world’s first hydrogen-powered off-road racing championship, from October 9th to 11th, 2025. The event marks a major milestone in sustainable motorsport, transitioning from the electric-powered Extreme E series. Set against the iconic backdrop of the Tuwaiq Mountains, the race took place in the futuristic, still-under-construction Qiddiya City, designed to be a hub for entertainment and innovation. Extreme H aims to showcase hydrogen fuel-cell technology in high-performance racing, promoting clean energy adoption and environmental awareness. The format of the race is yet to be revealed, but it promises to build on the legacy of Extreme E by pushing boundaries in both sport and sustainability. This launch positions Saudi Arabia as a key player in the global hydrogen transition and motorsport entertainment.

Duracell has announced the launch of its first-ever EV fast charging network, named Duracell E-Charge, in the UK, marking a major expansion beyond its traditional battery business. Backed by a £200m investment over the next decade, the initiative aims to support the UK’s transition to EVs ahead of the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars. The network will feature ultra-fast 400 kW to 1,000 kW chargers, with user-friendly payment options including app, contactless, and plug-and-go. Operated by Elektra Charge and developed by The EV Network, the first 6 sites will go live in 2025, with plans to reach 100 stations and 500 charging points by 2030. Chargers will be placed at strategic locations such as motorways, retail centres, and city gateways. Duracell aims to make EV charging as simple and reliable, leveraging its brand reputation for performance and safety.

Einride and PostNord have announced they have significantly expanded their electric freight partnership in Norway, doubling operations to cover 1.3 million zero-emission kilometres annually around Oslo. This move supports PostNord’s goal of becoming fossil-free by 2030 and builds on their successful collaboration since 2023, which already saved c.2,100 tonnes of CO2e over 3 years. The expansion leverages Einride’s connected electric trucks and its Saga AI logistics platform, which optimises freight movement for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Einride emphasised the importance of scalable partnerships and praised Norway’s leadership in electric transportation. PostNord, which handles 35% of parcel shipments in the Nordics, now operates a majority electric fleet in Norway. Additionally, Einride and PostNord achieved a global milestone in September 2025 by completing the first cab-less, electric, autonomous cross-border delivery, as part of the EU-funded MODI project. This demonstrated the viability of autonomous freight transport and customs integration, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to pioneering sustainable logistics solutions.

Brookfield Asset Management announced it has closed its Brookfield Global Transition Fund II (BGTF II) with a record-breaking $20bn in investor commitments, thus making it the largest private clean energy fund in history. The fund surpassed its predecessor’s $15bn and attracted over 200 global investors, including major commitments from ALTERRA ($2bn) and Norges Bank Investment Management ($1.5bn). An additional $3.5bn in co-investments brings the total capital raised to $23.5bn. Interestingly, Brookfield reports that BGTF II is now aiming for a net IRR of c.12%, which is slightly above the target set for its predecessor fund. BGTF II aims to accelerate the global energy transition by investing in renewable energy, carbon capture, battery storage, nuclear technologies, and sustainable infrastructure. Brookfield has already deployed $5bn into projects such as Neoen (France), Geronimo Power (USA), and Evren (India), targeting over 10 GW of clean energy capacity. Brookfield emphasised the growing energy demand driven by AI and electrification, advocating for an any and all investment approach to support low-carbon solutions globally.

Spain’s new-car market saw its 13th consecutive month of growth in September 2025, with registrations rising 16.4% YoY to 85,167 units. EVs, battery-electric (BEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and hybrids played a key role, collectively accounting for 65.5% of the market. BEVs and PHEVs alone reached a 24% share, driven by the MOVES III incentive scheme. However, it will be fascinating to see how the car market reacts when the EU-funded MOVES III program expires at the end of 2025. Certain industry voices warn that without continued incentives, consumer interest may wane, with surveys showing 78% of buyers would not consider EVs without financial support. Hybrids remain dominant, holding a 41.4% market share in September, while ICE vehicles declined sharply to 28.9%. Diesel registrations dropped 30.5% YoY. Overall, Spain’s EV market surged nearly 38.4% in September, reflecting a broader shift toward sustainable mobility. Yet, the future hinges on policy continuity and investment support.

Bosch announced it has launched its 1st hydrogen fuel-cell truck at its Nuremberg plant, marking a major step in climate-neutral logistics. The 40-ton Iveco truck, powered by Bosch’s proprietary fuel-cell power module (FCPM), is designed for internal plant traffic and offers a range of up to 800km with short refuelling times. Operated by Schaflein and rented from Hylane, the truck is expected to cover 12,000km annually, significantly reducing emissions compared to diesel alternatives. This deployment serves as a real-world testbed for Bosch’s hydrogen technology, providing valuable data for future powertrain developments, including the Compact 190 and 300 models. The truck’s system includes 5 hydrogen tanks, 2 battery packs, and an e-axle, delivering a total output of 400kW. Bosch emphasises the need for affordable hydrogen and robust infrastructure to scale such solutions. The initiative aligns with Bavaria’s Hydrogen Strategy 2.0 and supports Bosch’s broader hydrogen economy efforts, including large-scale FCPM production and the development of hydrogen engines and electrolysis stacks. This marks Bosch’s first operational use of its fuel-cell system in Europe, showcasing its readiness for volume production and commitment to sustainable mobility.

Simpson & Partners has announced its expansion into European markets following a surge in customer demand and strong positive feedback. Known for its sustainable, British-designed products, the company has earned over 90% 5-star reviews on Trustpilot, prompting its move beyond the UK. The company emphasises beauty, sustainability, and simplicity in its charger designs. Their products are praised for their intuitive usability and environmental responsibility. Customers and installers alike commend the brand’s craftsmanship and customer-first approach. The chargers are designed and manufactured entirely in the UK, with universal compatibility and ease of installation. This expansion aligns with broader European efforts to achieve net-zero emissions, and Simpson & Partners aims to support this transition by offering user-friendly charging solutions. The company’s ethos, centred on trust, transparency, and design excellence, continues to resonate across markets, positioning Simpson & Partners as a key player in Europe’s sustainable mobility future.

Deals

Intangles, a Pune-based deep tech startup, has raised $30m in a Series B funding round led by Avataar Venture Partners, with participation from Baring India Private Equity and Cactus Partners. The capital raised will accelerate the global rollout of Intangles’ predictive AI solutions for the automotive industry, enhance R&D, and support team expansion. The startup developed the Inroute platform, which integrates physics-based models, IoT data, and AI to forecast vehicle failures up to a month in advance with around 95% accuracy. Currently deployed across over 400,000 vehicles worldwide, including in North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, the technology serves OEMs and large fleet operators in sectors such as long-haul transport, transit, and construction. The company aims to shift fleet operations from reactive maintenance to proactive, continuous health monitoring, improving uptime and reducing costs. The investment signals growing confidence in predictive vehicle intelligence as a key driver of future mobility and logistics innovation.

Fuuse, a Lancaster-based EV charge point management platform, has secured an additional £6m in funding from existing investors Par Equity and YFM Equity Partners. This investment follows a period of rapid growth, with Fuuse more than doubling its recurring revenues and achieving a higher valuation. The funds will be used to accelerate expansion, support profitability, and enhance its scalable platform. Fuuse has recently hit several milestones, including a national rollout with Arnold Clark, supporting Be.EV’s growth and entering markets in Italy and Sweden. It also acquired Everyday EV, boosting its customer support capabilities with over 150,000 annual driver interactions. Its platform helps optimise EV charging infrastructure, making it smarter, more efficient, and accessible across the UK and beyond.

HavocAI, a Rhode Island-based maritime autonomy startup, has raised $85m to scale production of its autonomous surface vessels (USVs) for the USA military and allied nations. This funding round included investors such as B Capital, In-Q-Tel, Lockheed Martin, Taiwania Capital, and Hanwha. The company has delivered over 30 operational products to the USA military and demonstrated scalable collaborative autonomy in real-world scenarios. Its software-first strategy enables the creation of self-organising fleets controlled by a single operator. HavocAI’s fleet includes 4 vessel types, with plans to add more. The funding will support new vessel integration, increased manufacturing to meet military demand, and expansion into international markets, especially the Indo-Pacific. The company’s rapid progress and proven autonomy solutions position it as a leader in maritime defence technology, with growing global recognition for its role in enhancing maritime security and operational resilience.