JOLT Acquires Volta Media Network to Enter US Market with Thousands of EV Charging Sites

JOLT, the global digital out-of-home and electric vehicle charging network, has signed an agreement to acquire a substantial portion of the Volta Media Network from Shell. The deal marks the company's official entry into the United States market and represents a major step in its international expansion.

The acquisition will add thousands of locations across the United States to JOLT's existing operations in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Sites will span up to 34 states and 64 Designated Marketing Areas, including major metros such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

JOLT will acquire a strategic selection of Volta assets designed to deliver maximum value for drivers, advertisers, and property partners. The integration builds on JOLT's model of combining digital out-of-home displays with EV charging infrastructure.

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What This Means for the EV Charging Industry

The combined network connects brands with consumers at key moments in their daily journeys, from malls and restaurants to travel hubs and retail centers. JOLT's data-led approach delivers advanced targeting, audience measurement, and performance insights that enable brands to engage customers with precision across its network.

With this expansion, JOLT solidifies its position as the world's largest combined EV charging and digital out-of-home network. The company's global client base includes leading brands across retail, automotive, finance, technology, and quick-service restaurants.

Global advertisers already working with JOLT include McDonald's, Amazon, Toyota, Target, and American Express. The US expansion provides these brands with truly global scale and access to data from JOLT's Spark Intelligence platform.

Doug McNamee, JOLT CEO, said the acquisition will accelerate the company's mission to make it faster, easier, and simpler for drivers around the world to switch to electric vehicles.

"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 said. "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."

McNamee added that the assets sit squarely in JOLT's sweet spot of combining EV charging with digital media. "We'll bring our innovation and operational discipline to maximize their value for drivers, advertisers, and landlords."

With charging speeds tailored to both everyday top-ups and longer sessions, the combined network will meet the diverse needs of EV drivers while creating new pathways for advertisers to engage audiences in contextually relevant, real-world environments.

The expansion underscores the growing convergence between mobility infrastructure and digital media, delivering measurable commercial outcomes for advertisers while accelerating the broader shift toward electrification.

Looking ahead, JOLT plans to expand its presence across major US markets in 2026. The company will partner with leading advertisers, property owners, and municipalities to grow its integrated charging and media footprint.

The agreement is expected to close on January 1, 2026, and is conditional upon satisfaction of closing conditions. Shell was advised on the transaction by Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC.

McNamee emphasized that JOLT's acquisition ensures the Volta network continues to thrive. "This gives drivers, advertisers, and landlords confidence in its future at a time when its continuation had previously been uncertain," he said.

The deal provides stability for existing Volta customers and partners while bringing JOLT's operational expertise and innovation to the network.

zecar's take

This acquisition represents a significant shift in the EV charging landscape. JOLT's entry into the US market through the Volta acquisition is smart timing. Volta's bankruptcy left thousands of charging sites in limbo, creating uncertainty for drivers and property partners. By stepping in, JOLT not only rescues valuable infrastructure but gains immediate scale in the world's second-largest EV market.

The dual revenue model of charging fees plus advertising income makes business sense. Unlike pure-play charging networks that struggle with profitability, JOLT's digital out-of-home advertising provides a second income stream. This could prove crucial as EV charging margins remain tight and competition intensifies.

For Australian EV drivers, this matters because it signals JOLT's financial strength and long-term viability. A company expanding globally is less likely to abandon local markets. However, the real test will be whether JOLT can successfully integrate Volta's assets and maintain service quality across such a large, geographically dispersed network. The January 2026 close date means we'll soon see if this ambitious expansion delivers on its promise.