Biz Briefs: Stantec Acquisition, EVenergi, and More

Stantec, EVenergi Labs Inc., BYD, and GOGO Charters recently announced news from their respective companies.

Stantec to Acquire ZETCON Engineering

Stantec announced it has signed an agreement to acquire ZETCON Engineering, a 645-person engineering firm headquartered in Bochum, Germany. 

The terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

The acquisition of ZETCON gives Stantec a strong platform focused on infrastructure. ZETCON has a total of 13 offices covering all major German metropolitan areas. 

The firm has industry expertise in bridge certification and assessment, project and construction management of tunnels, roads, and rail infrastructure, as well as building condition assessments, improvements, and certifications. 

Stantec’s global expertise in water and power engineering, buildings, advanced manufacturing, and environmental services offers potential for growth in the German market.

EVenergi Announces First Close of $10M Series

EVenergi Labs Inc. announced the first close of its $10 million Series A, led by Aligned Climate Capital LLC (Aligned), to drive the expansion of its BetterFleet software platform. 

BetterFleet provides fleet operators with a single platform to plan, manage, and accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles while reducing cost and risk. 

The announcement comes on the second anniversary of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

Using real-world data and road-tested algorithms, the BetterFleet platform from EVenergi simplifies planning through automation in charger and vehicle selection, utility infrastructure sizing, and optimization of operational planning. 

The platform also manages the fleet’s live charging and operations to ensure financial and sustainability goals are met in a way that does not disrupt the core duties of the fleet while minimizing the impact on the electricity grid. 

This is made possible by BetterFleet’s “digital twin” and machine learning technologies that simulate fleet operations.

New BYD Bus Purchases from Canada

York University and Attridge Transportation in Ontario recently announced procurement awards for four Dreamer (commercial shuttle) Type D Battery Electric Buses from BYD Canada. Each customer will receive two BYD battery electric vehicles in the coming months.

The Government of Canada Incentives for Medium-Heavy-duty Zero-Emission Vehicles (iMHZEV) Program is helping BYD Canada customers adopt clean technology.

“We are pleased to receive these awards and believe they are the first of many to come,” said Paul Bottrill, BYD VP for Public Transit Solutions. “It’s rewarding as this is such a highly competitive market segment that has seen little change in the last half-century.”

In October 2023, BYD introduced its latest generation of electric buses to the European market. 

The BYD pure-electric bus integrates the Lithium Iron Phosphate Blade Battery within the chassis structure. This Blade Battery Chassis technology also uses a new six-in-one controller with Silicon Carbide technology, together with two-wheel hub hairpin motors.

GOGO Charters Expands Presence to Charleston

GOGO Charters announced its arrival in Charleston, S.C. 

“Charleston, an enchanting city known for its captivating charm and rich history, demands nothing short of exceptional group transportation services,” said Farzin Parsa, president of GOGO Charters. “Trust us to deliver a proficient driver and a tailored bus for your group, regardless of the distance, destination, or time of year, guaranteeing a remarkable experience in vibrant Charleston, South Carolina.”

The company’s vehicle fleet accommodates various groups, ranging from minibuses for 18-30 people to full-size motorcoaches for up to 56 people and even party buses.

To date, GOGO Charters has traveled over 2 million miles and completed more than 20,000 trips.