Transit agencies running former Proterra buses are struggling with service and infrastructure. The new partnership routes ChargePoint hardware, software, and telematics through a distributor already embedded in the electric bus supply chain.
ChargePoint and Powers Parts have partnered to sell charging hardware, software, and fleet telematics to transit agencies running PhoenixEV electric buses. The deal targets operators struggling with service gaps after Proterra’s 2023 bankruptcy, routing ChargePoint’s platform through Powers Parts’ existing distribution network.TL;DR
ChargePoint and Powers Parts, a national distributor of electric vehicle components and fleet replacement parts, have announced a partnership to sell ChargePoint charging hardware, software, and fleet management services directly to transit agencies across North America. The deal targets operators running E2 and ZX5 electric buses built by PhoenixEV, the company that acquired Proterra’s transit bus assets out of bankruptcy in early 2024 for $3.5 million.
The partnership addresses a specific problem. Many transit agencies that bought Proterra’s E2 and ZX5 electric buses before the company’s 2023 bankruptcy are now operating those vehicles without adequate service, charging support, or fleet management tools. Powers Parts built its business around supplying replacement components to exactly these operators. Adding ChargePoint’s DC fast charging infrastructure and telematics platform to that distribution channel gives transit agencies a single procurement path for both parts and charging.
Through the partnership, transit operators can purchase ChargePoint’s charging stations, fleet management software, and telematics services through Powers Parts’ existing distribution network. ChargePoint’s telematics platform integrates with all vehicle types and charging stations regardless of manufacturer, providing real-time visibility into battery health, route efficiency, and total cost of ownership. The software is OCPP compliant, meaning it can manage third-party charging hardware as well as ChargePoint’s own stations.
The telematics system also works with mixed-fuel fleets, which matters because most transit agencies are electrifying gradually rather than replacing entire fleets at once. An agency running a mix of diesel, compressed natural gas, and electric buses can manage all three through a single interface.
Proterra filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2023 after years of losses despite being one of the most prominent US 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 charging infrastructure business was sold separately.
The bankruptcy left transit agencies that had invested in Proterra buses in a difficult position. Replacement parts, software updates, and charging infrastructure support, previously handled by a single integrated provider, were suddenly fragmented across multiple companies or simply unavailable. PhoenixEV inherited the bus platform and manufacturing rights, but the broader service ecosystem had to be rebuilt from scratch.
The partnership arrives at a difficult moment for US transit electrification. The Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Program has allocated $5.6 billion over five years from 2022 to 2026, driving hundreds of agencies to order electric buses. But the transition has exposed real operational challenges, including shorter-than-advertised battery range in extreme weather, lengthy charging times that disrupt scheduling, and a thin aftermarket parts supply chain.
California, which leads the country in electric bus adoption, has already delayed some of its zero-emission transit mandates to give the market time to stabilise. Agencies in colder climates have reported range reductions of 30% or more in winter, requiring more buses to cover the same routes.
For ChargePoint, the partnership extends a push into fleet and transit charging that complements its larger consumer and commercial business. The company reported full fiscal year 2026 revenue 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 funding incentives.
CEO Rick Wilmer described transit as “critical to the broader electrification of transportation” and said the Powers Parts partnership expands ChargePoint’s reach across the transit ecosystem. The deal is a distribution agreement, not a technology breakthrough, but for agencies struggling with the aftermath of Proterra’s collapse, having a single channel for parts, charging, and fleet software is a practical improvement over the current patchwork.
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