Shell plc, now headquartered in London, UK, and BYD Auto Co Ltd of Shenzhen, China, have signed a cooperation agreement focusing on the supply of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Europe and China. As part of the agreement, the two firms will also establish a joint venture to develop EV charging networks in China.

Vancouver, British Columbia-based First Hydrogen Corp has announced that its green hydrogen van will begin demonstrator testing in June 2022. First Hydrogen has partnered with Ballard Power Systems Inc of Vancouver, Canada, and the UK subsidiary of AVL List GmbH, AVL Powertrain UK Ltd of Hartlebury, to provide the drive components for the vehicle. The two demonstrator vans have been sourced from MAN SE, based in Munich, Germany, and are currently at AVL’s UK headquarters.

Speaking to Truck and Bus Builder, Stephen (Paddy) Dyson, Marketing Manager at HMG Paints Ltd, based in Manchester, UK, discussed the benefits of operating a family-run coatings business that manufactures locally in the UK.

SAF-Holland has acquired truck and trailer parts supplier IMS Ltd from Dutch firm IMS Group, with the view of expanding its market share in Britain and Ireland. 

The corporate venture capital fund of Scania has made an investment in logistics software company Parcelly Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

This partnership has many advantages, significant investment in the UK, the enablement of a state-of-the-art test facility to maintain Ceres’ technology leadership and support for our rapidly growing global partner base. We look forward to establishing a long-term partnership with HORIBA MIRA.

EO Charging (EO), based in London, has mutually terminated its August 2021 agreement with First Reserve Sustainable Growth Corp (NASDAQ: FRSG) that would have seen EO listed on the NASDAQ exchange through a merger previously announced agreement in September 2021. Both parties decided to terminate the Business Combination Agreement because of unfavourable market conditions.

Advanced Electric Machines Ltd (AEM) based in Washington, UK, has announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Cho Thavee Public Company Limited (CTV) of Khon Khaen, and ASIA CAB Co of Bangkok, for the development of a retrofit solution that will enable ICE cars to be electrified with AEM motors.

Andy Palmer, CEO of Switch Mobility and Board Member of InoBat Auto, discusses the problems facing British manufacturing in an interview with Truck & Bus Builder

Businesses in the UK will be supported in buying vans (to 4.5t) and trucks (over 4.5t) with grants of up to GBP5,000 and GBP16,000 respectively.

Cummins Inc, based in Columbus, Indiana, USA, has announced it will open a new Powertrain Test Facility at its Darlington, UK campus. Ground preparation work has begun on the site, with the firm expecting the first phase of the GBP14 million investment expected to open for operations by May 2023.

Alexander Dennis Ltd of Larbert, Scotland, and BYD UK, of Iver, England, have delivered 29 Enviro400EV double deck buses to London transport operator Abellio. The buses feature a swathe of customer focussed tweaks such as a skylight on the upper deck and phone mounts on the back of all seats.