JOLT, the global digital out-of-home (DOOH) and electric vehicle charging network operator, has signed an agreement to acquire a substantial portion of Shell’s Volta Media Network, marking the company’s official entry into the United States market. The transaction, subject to closing conditions and expected to finalize January 1, 2026, will add thousands of EV charging and digital media locations across 34 states and 64 Designated Marketing Areas (DMAs) to JOLT’s existing operations in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the U.K.
Highlights
- Geographic expansion: JOLT will acquire Volta assets spanning up to 34 U.S. states and 64 DMAs, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan areas
- Market positioning: The acquisition establishes JOLT as the world’s largest combined EV charging and digital out-of-home advertising network
- Strategic fit: Both companies operate integrated EV charging and digital media platforms with data-driven advertiser targeting capabilities
- Transaction timeline: Deal closure expected January 1, 2026, with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC serving as advisor to Shell
Strategic Acquisition Details
The acquisition represents a carefully curated selection of Volta infrastructure assets designed to maximize value across JOLT’s three key stakeholder groups: EV drivers, advertising clients, and property partners. The transaction includes charging stations located at high-traffic retail destinations, including malls, restaurants, travel hubs, and retail centers.
JOLT CEO Doug McNamee emphasized the strategic alignment between the two networks. “The Volta Media Network and JOLT share the same DNA – combining EV charging with a powerful media platform – making this acquisition a natural fit,” McNamee stated. He noted that the acquisition addresses previous uncertainty regarding the Volta network’s continuity, providing confidence to drivers, advertisers, and property owners.
Network Scale and Capabilities
The combined network will deliver charging solutions across multiple use cases, with infrastructure supporting both rapid top-up sessions and extended charging periods. This dual-capability approach addresses diverse driver requirements while maximizing dwell time for advertiser engagement.
JOLT’s global advertiser portfolio includes major brands across multiple sectors:
- Retail: Target, Amazon
- Automotive: Toyota
- Quick-service restaurants: McDonald’s
- Financial services: American Express
The company’s client base spans retail, automotive, finance, technology, and food service categories, demonstrating the platform’s cross-industry appeal for brand engagement strategies.
Technology and Advertiser Value Proposition
JOLT’s integrated platform combines streetside digital out-of-home displays with fast EV charging infrastructure, creating what the company describes as contextually relevant consumer engagement opportunities. The technology stack emphasizes data-driven capabilities across three core areas:
- Advanced targeting: Precision audience segmentation based on location and demographic data
- Audience measurement: Real-time metrics on consumer exposure and engagement
- Performance insights: Campaign analytics delivering measurable ROI for brand partners
This data-led approach enables advertisers to reach consumers during extended dwell times associated with EV charging sessions, typically ranging from 15 to 45 minutes depending on charging speed and vehicle requirements.
Market Context and Future Expansion
The acquisition reflects broader convergence trends between mobility infrastructure development and digital advertising platforms. As EV adoption accelerates across North America, charging networks represent emerging high-value advertising inventory with captive audiences and extended engagement windows.
JOLT has outlined plans for aggressive U.S. market expansion throughout 2026, targeting partnerships with major property owners, municipal authorities, and national advertisers. The company’s growth strategy emphasizes site density in key metropolitan markets to build network effects for both charging convenience and advertiser reach.
The company continues to operate its existing networks across international markets while integrating the Volta assets into its operational and technology platforms. JOLT has been recognized by TIME and Statista as one of the world’s top 250 greentech companies.
Additional information is available at joltcharge.com/us.
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