The TL;DR
ChargePoint and Powers Parts have partnered to sell charging hardware, software, and fleet telematics to transit agencies that use PhoenixEV electric buses. The deal targets operators struggling with service gaps after Proterra’s bankruptcy in 2023, targeting the ChargePoint platform through Powers Parts’ existing distribution network.
ChargePoint and Powers Parts, a national distributor of electric vehicle parts and fleet replacement parts, announced a partnership to sell ChargePoint charging hardware, software, and vehicle management services directly to transportation facilities across North America. The deal targets users of the E2 and ZX5 electric buses built by PhoenixEV, the company that acquired Proterra Transit’s bus assets from bankruptcy in early 2024 for $3.5 million.
The partnership faces a particular problem. Many transit agencies that purchased Proterra’s E2 and ZX5 electric buses prior to the company’s 2023 bankruptcy are now operating those vehicles without adequate service, charging support, or vehicle management tools. Powers Parts built its business by supplying replacement parts to these operators. Adding ChargePoint’s fast DC charging infrastructure and telephone platform to that distribution channel gives transportation facilities a single source of purchase for both components and charging.
What does the deal include?
Through the partnership, transportation operators can purchase ChargePoint charging stations, vehicle management software, and telematics services through Powers Parts’ existing distribution network. ChargePoint’s telematics platform includes all types of vehicles and charging stations regardless of manufacturer, providing real-time visibility into battery life, route efficiency, and total ownership. The software is OCPP compatible, meaning it can handle third-party charging hardware and ChargePoint stations.
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The telematics system also works with mixed fuel fleets, which is important because many transport facilities are electrifying gradually rather than replacing all vehicles at once. An agency that uses a mix of diesel, compressed natural gas, and electric buses can manage all three through a single interface.
Proterra results
Proterra filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2023 after years of losses despite being one of America’s leading electric bus manufacturers. Its transit bus division was sold to Phoenix Motorcars, now PhoenixEV, for just $3.5 million. Volvo acquired Proterra’s battery and powertrain division for approximately $223 million. The toll infrastructure business was sold separately.
The bankruptcy left the transportation companies that had invested in Proterra buses in a difficult situation. Replacement parts, software updates, and charging infrastructure support, previously handled by a single integrated provider, were suddenly separated from multiple companies or simply unavailable. PhoenixEV inherited the bus platform and manufacturing rights, but the extensive environmental service system had to be rebuilt from scratch.
Electrical wiring under pressure
The partnership comes at a critical time for the electrification of transportation in the US. The Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Program has allocated $5.6 billion over five years from 2022 to 2026, prompting hundreds of companies to order electric buses. But the transition has revealed real performance challenges, including shorter-than-advertised battery range in extreme weather, long charging times that disrupt scheduling, and a narrow supply chain for aftermarket parts.
California, which leads the nation in electric bus adoption, has already delayed some of its zero-emission transit projects to give the market time to stabilize. Agencies in colder regions have reported distance reductions of 30% or more in the winter, requiring more buses to cover the same routes.
ChargePoint fleet performance
For ChargePoint, the partnership extends a push into fleet and transportation charging that complements its larger consumer and commercial business. The company reported total revenue for the 2026 fiscal year of $411 million and operates more than 1.37 million public and private charging ports worldwide. Electric buses represent a growing share of that network, as transit agencies electrify under federal mandates and financial subsidies.
CEO Rick Wilmer described transportation as “critical to the broader electrification of transportation” and said the Powers Parts partnership expands ChargePoint’s reach throughout the transportation system. The agreement is a distribution agreement, not a technical breakthrough, but for companies struggling after the collapse of Proterra, having a single channel for parts, charging, and shipping software is a practical improvement over current operations.
