Connect with us

Published

on

Less than a year after launching as a company, tech startup JUXTA looks to revolutionize convenient retail with the official launch of its offering – a portable mini mart called the Nomad designed as an autonomous, turnkey solution for EV charging stations in the US and Europe. Following the Nomad’s recent launch, JUXTA has announced multiple partners, and you may see one of these unstaffed stores near you soon.

JUXTA describes itself as a global technology and micro convenience company founded in North Carolina in 2022. As a subsidiary of industrial tech company Vontier operating within fueling and convenience store equipment provider Gilbarco Veeder-Root, JUXTA’s immediate focus is on the b2b sector – more specifically, providing accessible retail to the EV charging segment.

That journey begins with the Nomad mini mart, portable, easy to install, and completely unstaffed – perfect for the growing number of EV charging stations in the US and beyond. JUXTA made its official launch in the US in August, showcasing the Nomad for the first time at the Renewal 2023 festival in Colorado in September.

During the event, JUXTA’s 24-hour autonomous convenience store served thousands festival goers looking for cold drinks or snacks. As you’ll see in the video below, customers simply swipe or tap a card to enter, grab what they want, and exit. Or, they can stop at a touchscreen and recap their order before exiting. JUXTA explains it best:

Inside the Nomad, shelf and cabinet sensors instantly detect when an item is picked up, and an array of cameras will anonymously identify by whom. The information is combined in the cloud to create a digital basket for each customer. If a family or group of shoppers enter the store, JUXTA’s AI-driven technology will collate their purchases.

An autonomous mini mart feels like a perfect option for the EV world as those drivers spend 15 to 35 minutes at charging stations and could probably use a snack sometimes. According to JUXTA, that’s the plan and your local chargers may soon have a portable convenience store dropped off nearby.

  • charging station mart
  • charging station mart

JUXTA in discussions to bring marts to charging stations

According to news from JUXTA this morning, the young startup has already secured multiple retail partners to provide provisions to its Nomad mini markets. The first is Choice Market in Denver, which will be home to the state’s first portable, autonomous convenience store.

Another retailer onboard is Golden Pantry out of Georgia, which has also signed on for a mini mart installation in Watkinsville. Okay, but what about EV charging stations? Isn’t that why JUXTA designed the Nomad mini markets in the first place?

A representative for the company told Electrek that JUXTA is in discussions with several EV charging networks about implementing the Nomad marts at stations, but there’s nothing more it can share at this time. JUXTA co-founder Om Shankar shared similar sentiment mentioning interest from EV automakers when discussing the Nomad’s rapid uptake after a mere month since launch:

To be signing retail partners and fielding enquiries from some of the largest EV OEMs in the world is validation of JUXTA’s vision for the Nomad solution.  Our proprietary technology and store format combination, working in partnership with renowned brands, has the power to redefine the industry.  Our solution mitigates multitude challenges in the retail segment, from real estate cost and utilization, squeezed profit margins, access to 24-hr service, labor shortages and staffing issues, including instant, simple and contactless pay, and quick set up, in any location, no matter how remote.  The Nomad offers an all ‘round seamless solution to these challenges and at the same time, we believe it to be the most profitable per square foot convenience retail format in the world.

While the EV OEMs and charging networks inquiring about JUXTA’s mini marts at local stations remains a mystery for now, there appears to be interest and for good reason. We’ve seen fellow US company Tesla roll out automated, cube-shaped stores near Superchargers in Germany and more permanent lounges from Audi in its native land with great success.

Providing a less permanent, turnkey solution could be a home run for charging stations looking to add a snack mart but have less of a footprint available to support it (the Nomad’s interior is only 264 square-feet). This will be a startup to keep an eye on as it publicly confirms more partners in the EV charging and OEM spaces.

The JUXTA Nomads are expected to begin rolling out in the US in 2023 and Europe in 2024. For now, check out this video explaining how the Nomad mini mart works:

Credit: JUXTA

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

GM takes over as the ‘#1 EV seller’ in Canada

Published

on

By

GM takes over as the '#1 EV seller' in Canada

After its electric vehicle sales more than doubled in the first quarter, GM claims it’s now the “#1 EV seller” in Canada. With a full lineup of 13 all-electric vehicles, GM sold more EVs than Tesla in Canada.

GM tops Tesla to become the #1 EV seller in Canada in Q1

GM’s electric vehicle sales in Canada surged by 252% in the first three months of 2025, with new Chevy and Cadillac models driving growth.

The Chevy Equinox EV led the way with 1,892 units sold, followed by the Silverado EV with 894 units. Cadillac’s new entry-level OPTIQ had a strong showing, with 615 models sold, nearly matching the 720 units sold of its first EV, the LYRIQ.

Even the GMC Hummer EV Pickup and SUV saw more demand, with sales up 232% (186) and 88% (252), respectively.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Combined, the automaker sold a total of 5,750 EVs in Q1. According to GM, this was enough to top Tesla to become “the #1 EV seller in Canada.”

GM Canada recently posted on social media, saying, “We claimed the top spot as Canada’s #1 EV seller!” The news comes as registration data show that Tesla registered just 524 vehicles in Quebec in Q1, down 87% from the same period last year.

The steep decline in sales comes after the Quebec government paused federal EV incentives from February to April 1st. Canada also paused its iZEV rebate program in January, which offered up to $5,000 on the purchase or lease of an EV. Like the US federal EV Tax credit, it was designed to be used at the point of sale to help lower prices.

GM-#1-EV-seller-Canada
Chevy Equinox EV LT (Source: GM)

GM also registered significantly fewer Equinox and Blazer EVs in Quebec during the quarter. Despite higher year-over-year (YOY) sales, GM’s electric vehicle (EV) sales were down considerably from the over 15,000 in Q4 2024.

GM-#1-EV-seller-Canada
Cadillac OPTIQ EV (Source: GM)

The American automaker will continue to expand its lineup with the launch of the new Cadillac Escalade IQL, Lyriq-V, and Visiq.

By the end of the year, we also expect to get our first look at the next-gen Chevy Bolt EV with deliveries starting in 2026.

Electrek’s Take

GM is building momentum with new models rolling out, which now cover nearly every segment. In the US, GM surpassed Ford and Hyundai Motor, including Kia, to become the second-largest seller of EVs last year.

Chevy is now the fastest-growing EV brand in the US. The new electric Equinox, or “America’s most affordable 315+ miles range EV,” as GM calls it, is quickly becoming a top seller. The Blazer and Silverado EVs are also gaining traction.

Cadillac reported its best first quarter since 2008, with retail sales increasing by 21%. After delivering the first models in Q1, the entry-level OPTIQ is off to an impressive start with 1,716 units sold.

GM will top off its US electric vehicle lineup with the next-gen 2026 Chevy Bolt EV due out later this year or in early 2026.

Source: GM Authority, GM Canada

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

ComEd extends electrification plan in Illinois, committing a fresh $168M toward EV charger and purchase incentives

Published

on

By

ComEd extends electrification plan in Illinois, committing a fresh 8M toward EV charger and purchase incentives

ComEd confirmed that the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved its second Beneficial Electrification Plan. This plan builds upon an existing investment and will commit an additional $168 million over three years to support its Illinois ComEd customers who purchase or lease an EV or install a charger.

Commonwealth Edison, known more commonly as “ComEd,” is a 118-year-old company that currently operates as a subsidiary of Exelon. ComEd is hands-down the largest energy provider in Illinois and has made considerable contributions to EV adoption in the Land of Lincoln.

In 2023, ComEd proposed its first Beneficial Electrification (BE) Plan, which was approved under the guidance of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) signed by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker in 2021. ComEd’s first BE Plan comprised a $231 million investment between 2023 and 2025.

Since February 2024, the energy company has used those funds to help Illinois residents purchase and install nearly 5,000 public and private EV charging ports (Level 2 and DCFC) and incentivize the purchases or leases of almost 1,000 new and pre-owned electric fleet vehicles. During this period, Illinois said it saw EV registrations grow nearly four times faster than the US as a whole.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

ComEd has committed another $168 million with BE Plan 2 to keep the momentum in Illinois EV adoption going, offering incentives through 2028.

ComEd Illinois EV
Source: ComEd/YouTube

ComEd commits to EV incentives in Illinois through 2028

According to a release from ComEd, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved its second BE Plan, enabling the energy company to invest approximately $168 million more in EV incentives in Illinois from 2026 to 2028.

As mentioned above, BE Plan 2 builds upon ComEd’s original $268 million investment, which expires at the end of the year. It will help residential and commercial customers transition to EVs. Per ComEd president and CEO, Gil C. Quiniones:

The shift to EVs is a major milestone on the road to Illinois’ clean energy future, and it is part of a broader effort to electrify more of our region’s energy system. Through the expansion of our Beneficial Electrification programs, ComEd is helping to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and enable all communities to enjoy the benefits and opportunities that flow from the global energy transformation.

Per ComEd, here’s how the $168 million in fresh funding will be broken down across EV incentive programs for Illinois customers:

  • $11 million toward the Residential EV Charger and Installation Program: Offers rebates of up to $2,500 per household to support the purchase and installation of residential Level 2 electric vehicle chargers.   
  • $82 million toward the Business and Public Sector EV Purchase Program:  Offers rebates for the purchase or lease of new or pre-owned fleet EVs of all weight classes.  
  • $44 million toward the Business and Public Sector Make-Ready Program: Rebates for costs associated with making sites ready for public or private Level 2 of DC Fast Charging equipment. 
  • $11 million toward a Customer Education and Awareness Program: Fund multiple efforts to empower customers to make informed decisions about vehicle electrification and charging infrastructure deployment. Includes free access to ComEd support tools including Fleet Electrification Assessments, EV Toolkits, and training programs for municipalities interested in achieving “EV Ready” status, plus free Fleet Electrification Assessments.
  • $11 million toward ComEd’s Research and Development Program: Will evaluate and demonstrate the impact of new transportation and electrification technologies.  
  • $9 million toward a Portfolio Program: Funds a variety of initiatives spanning across multiple programs, to support a successful deployment of BE Plan 2 as a whole. 

ComEd also stated that future EV-centric projects from 2026 onward located in, or primarily serving, low-income or Equity Investment Eligible Communities (EIECs) in Illinois, will be eligible for higher rebate amounts and receive more than 50% of the BE Plan 2 budget. So far in its BE Plan, over 70% of its awarded rebates have gone to low-income customers, businesses, and public sector organizations in low-income and EIECs.

As an Illinois native, this investment news makes me happy and proud. You can learn more about ComEd’s EV program here, or see if you qualify for any EV tax incentives at the state level (in any state) by checking out this detailed breakdown.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

This new Vermont plant turns Ben & Jerry’s waste into clean energy

Published

on

By

This new Vermont plant turns Ben & Jerry's waste into clean energy

Ben & Jerry’s organic waste is now creating clean energy for the Vermont grid, thanks to a new PurposeEnergy plant in St. Albans.

PurposeEnergy, which specializes in converting organic food waste into energy, has officially opened a high-tech anaerobic digestion facility that began exporting power to the Vermont grid in December 2024. The project broke ground in May 2023 and marks PurposeEnergy’s first big move since being acquired by Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners in April 2023. Quinbrook fully funded the St. Albans facility.

A key player in this project is Ben & Jerry’s. The Vermont ice cream giant signed a long-term feedstock deal with PurposeEnergy in 2021. Now, all of Ben & Jerry’s high-strength organic waste and out-of-spec food products are sent straight from its factory to the new facility through a dedicated pipeline. The waste is then transformed into clean electricity and clean water.

Other regional food producers are also contributing their waste to PurposeEnergy’s new site. Casella, Wind River Environmental, Evergreen Services, and Carmichael Trucking haul additional feedstocks to help centralize food waste disposal across the region.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

“This project strengthens Ben & Jerry’s commitment to environmental sustainability by providing a long-term solution for organic waste,” said Jenna Evans, the company’s global sustainability manager. “It will reduce Vermont’s road traffic, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease phosphorus pollution.”

The plant sits on land purchased from the Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation and is expected to produce 8.75 million kWh of renewable electricity annually. That clean power is sent to the Vermont grid through the state’s Standard Offer program, which supports the deployment of small-scale renewable energy projects.

The plant also recovers up to 45,000 million Btu of renewable thermal energy annually, which helps heat the digester and run operations.

“It’s a model of industrial symbiosis – turning food production waste into clean energy, reducing emissions, and supporting local economies,” said Erik Lallum, PurposeEnergy’s chief development officer.

PurposeEnergy says the new facility could help attract more food manufacturing businesses to the St. Albans Industrial Park by offering a sustainable, onsite waste management solution that doubles as a clean energy source.

Read more: Vermont sees an explosive 41% rise in EV adoption in just a year


If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending