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Australian electric vehicle fast-charger provider JOLT has secured an agreement to acquire a significant stake of the Volta Media Network from Shell in a step that will give the company an entry into the US market.
JOLT, which monetises its EV charger network via a digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising network, says the deal will add thousands of locations across the US with sites in up to 34 states and 64 designated marketing areas, including major metros such as Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas–Fort Worth.
Volta Media Network operates a network of digital DOOH screens on Shell Recharge stations for EVs through which the company generates advertising revenue.
JOLT plans to acquire a “strategic selection” of Volta assets that it says will deliver maximum value for drivers, advertisers and property partners.
Shell says its Volta Media Network generates more than 1.7 billion monthly impressions across 7,200 advertising screens located within its charging network.
Financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed, but the deal builds on JOLT's growing base in North America after earlier this year announcing a $214 million partnership with Canada Infrastructure Bank to finance its plans of delivering 1,500 chargers across Canada.
The Canadian network of kerbside EV chargers in urban centres provides access to 7 kWh of free fast charging per user per day, which the company says is offset by its DOOH revenue.
JOLT says the US acquisition firms up the group’s position as the world’s largest combined EV charging and digital out-of-home network, which counts the likes of McDonald’s, Amazon, Toyota, Target and American Express among its advertisers.
“This acquisition will accelerate our mission to make it faster, easier and simpler for drivers around the world to switch to electric vehicles,” says Doug McNamee, the CEO of JOLT.
“The Volta Media Network and JOLT share the same DNA - combining EV charging with a powerful media platform - making this acquisition a natural fit.
“Securing a significant US footprint represents a major milestone and a longstanding strategic priority for JOLT, strengthening our ability to serve drivers, advertisers and partners while delivering on our growth ambitions.
“These assets sit squarely in JOLT’s sweet spot: combining EV charging with digital media. We’ll bring our innovation and operational discipline to maximize their value for drivers, advertisers, and landlords.
“JOLT’s acquisition ensures the Volta network continues to thrive, giving drivers, advertisers and landlords confidence in its future at a time when its continuation had previously been uncertain.”
JOLT also has operations across Australia, New Zealand and the UK, with the Volta acquisition expected to drive the company’s plans to expand its charger network into major US markets next year.
The Volt acquisition is planned to be finalised on 1 January 2026.
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