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EV Daily Brief: Germany Opens a Path for Bidirectional EV Charging as Ampol Buys Evie Networks 




Edition date: 4 October 2026
Prepared: 4 October 2026, 08:02 EAT
Coverage window: Developments published or updated since the previous brief, prioritising 3–4 October 2026.

Short excerpt

Germany has approved MiSpeL rules that allow bidirectional EV-charging points to participate more flexibly in electricity markets, including feeding power back to the grid under defined accounting rules. In Australia, fuel retailer Ampol agreed to buy Evie Networks for A$225 million, expanding its charging footprint. In Africa, South African bus operators are calling for special e-mobility tariffs, while Kenya has no separate new official policy or market action verified today.

At a glance

  • Global: Germany’s Federal Network Agency approved MiSpeL rules for storage systems and bidirectional charging points, with network and metering operators given until the end of September 2027 to implement them. [1]
  • Global: Ampol agreed to acquire Australian EV-charging operator Evie Networks for A$225 million, or approximately US$156 million, subject to the transaction process. [2]
  • Africa-wide: South Africa’s Golden Arrow Bus Services is calling for more supportive electricity tariffs for electric fleets; the proposal is advocacy, not an announced national tariff policy. [3]
  • Kenya: No separate new official Kenya-only EV policy, market release, investment announcement, charging deployment, or vehicle launch was verified. Recent Kenya Power e-mobility revenue figures appeared in secondary reporting but require official-source confirmation before being treated as a new market release. [3]

Global

Germany approves rules for bidirectional EV charging and storage

Germany’s Federal Network Agency approved rules known as MiSpeL for the market integration of electricity-storage systems and charging points. The rules generally treat bidirectional EV-charging points in the same way as electricity-storage systems. [1]

Under the framework, storage systems can take electricity from the grid and later feed it back without losing eligibility for support for renewable electricity stored in the battery. Electricity drawn from the grid and subsequently fed back is subject to balancing rules, with lower levies and network charges applying to the corresponding electricity volumes. [1]

MiSpeL provides two methods for distinguishing supported renewable electricity from grid electricity. The delineation option allows volumes to be calculated precisely and normally requires two meters, although one meter can be sufficient in some cases. A simplified flat-rate option is available for households with photovoltaic systems of up to 30 kW, but its application remains subject to European Commission state-aid approval. [1]

Network and metering operators have until the end of September 2027 to implement the rules. During the transition, the framework can already be used where operators agree. [1]

Why it matters: Bidirectional charging turns EVs from passive electricity consumers into potential grid assets. Vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home systems could absorb electricity when prices or renewable generation are favourable and return power during high-demand periods. The practical impact will depend on compatible vehicles, chargers, meters, software, consumer contracts, and clear compensation.

Status: Confirmed regulatory development reported by PV Magazine from Germany’s Federal Network Agency. Implementation remains a major next step.

Ampol agrees to buy Evie Networks for A$225 million

Reuters reported on 1 October that Australian fuel and convenience retailer Ampol agreed to acquire EV-charging company Evie Networks for A$225 million, approximately US$156 million. The purchase is being made through Ampol Energy and would give the fuel retailer a larger position in Australia’s public fast-charging market. [2]

The transaction is strategically significant because it links a legacy roadside-fuel business with an established EV-charging operator. Dealroom.co reported that the target, formally Fast Cities Australia, operates fast-charging infrastructure across Australia; the company’s network data had not been independently verified by Ampol at the time of the deal summary. [4]

Why it matters: Fuel retailers are increasingly adding charging assets to remain relevant as transport energy shifts. The acquisition also shows that charging networks are becoming strategic infrastructure businesses rather than simply equipment deployments. The commercial test will be utilisation, site economics, grid connections, and the ability to combine charging with roadside retail.

Status: Confirmed announced acquisition agreement, subject to transaction completion and any required approvals. Network-size and financial-return claims should be treated cautiously until closing and audited disclosures.

Africa-wide

South African bus operator calls for special e-mobility tariffs

CleanTechnica reported on 3 October that Gideon Neethling of Golden Arrow Bus Services called for a more supportive electricity-tariff regime for electric-bus operators during a panel at Africa E-Mobility Week in Stellenbosch. [3]

Golden Arrow operates 1,200 buses, of which 120 are currently electric, and is seeking to add approximately 40 more electric buses in the near future, according to the report. Neethling said the operator uses most of its electricity during off-peak periods and that higher off-peak tariffs were putting pressure on operating economics. [3]

The proposal is for South Africa’s electricity system and municipalities to consider a special e-mobility tariff model, potentially with lower rates for EV charging and stronger incentives to charge outside peak periods. No national South African tariff decision was announced in the source reviewed.

Why it matters: Electric buses can reduce fuel costs but remain exposed to electricity prices, depot connection charges, demand peaks, and charging schedules. A tariff designed around fleet charging could improve both operator economics and grid management, but it must be based on measured load profiles and utility cost recovery.

Status: Industry advocacy and panel discussion, not confirmed government policy.

No new major Africa-wide EV programme independently verified

No additional, independently verified Africa-wide EV policy decision, major investment, market result, charging deployment, or vehicle launch distinct from the LEAP and Angola ONDJILA GREEN developments in the 3 October brief was confirmed.

The Yadea–Spiro partnership reported on 1 October remains a relevant regional industry development, but it is outside the priority last-24-hour window and is not presented as new today. Repeating it as a fresh story would weaken the brief’s deduplication standard.

Kenya

No separate new official Kenya-only EV development verified

No separate new official Kenyan EV policy action, market release, investment announcement, charging deployment, or vehicle launch published since the previous brief was verified.

CleanTechnica’s South Africa tariff report cited Kenya Power figures showing electricity revenue from registered e-mobility customers rising from KSh65.6 million in 2025 to KSh185.3 million in the 2026 financial year. It also repeated the removal of the previous 15,000 kWh monthly cap on the e-mobility tariff. These figures are useful leads, but the article is secondary reporting and commentary; they should be confirmed against Kenya Power’s annual report or official financial statements before being treated as a new Kenya market release. [3]

Kenya’s participation in LEAP, recent assembly developments, the e-mobility tariff amendment, and the proposed duty-free/local-assembly debate remain current context from earlier briefs rather than new developments in this edition.

Technology and trend tracker

Trend Latest signal Interpretation
Bidirectional charging Germany’s MiSpeL rules allow storage systems and bidirectional charging points to participate more flexibly in the electricity market. [1] EVs may become distributed energy assets, but metering, software, tariffs, and vehicle compatibility are essential.
Charging-network consolidation Ampol agreed to buy Evie Networks for A$225 million. [2] Fuel retailers are acquiring charging networks to participate in the changing transport-energy market.
Fleet electricity economics Golden Arrow is calling for South African e-mobility tariffs that better reflect off-peak bus charging. [3] Fleet electrification depends on electricity pricing and load management as much as vehicle purchase price.
Kenya e-mobility revenue Secondary reporting cites a rise in Kenya Power revenue from registered e-mobility customers, pending official confirmation. [3] A stronger revenue stream could support utility investment, but the data needs primary-source verification.
African market coordination LEAP and earlier regional initiatives remain in the monitoring phase. Future value will depend on implementation, funding, standards, and measurable deployments.

Vehicle and product launches

  • No major new vehicle launch verified: No reliable passenger-car, bus, truck, motorcycle, or three-wheeler launch distinct from previous-brief coverage was confirmed in the latest window.
  • Bidirectional charging capability: Germany’s MiSpeL rules support market participation for compatible bidirectional charging points; this is regulatory infrastructure, not a vehicle launch. [1]
  • Electric-bus fleet expansion: Golden Arrow’s reported plan to add about 40 electric buses is an operator expansion plan, not a confirmed vehicle-delivery announcement. [3]

Policy, investment, and infrastructure watch

  • Germany: Monitor how network and metering operators implement MiSpeL by the end of September 2027 and whether vehicle-to-grid tariffs emerge. [1]
  • Australia: Monitor regulatory approval, closing, final network disclosures, and integration plans for Ampol’s Evie acquisition. [2]
  • South Africa: Watch whether Eskom, municipalities, or regulators respond to the call for special e-mobility tariffs. [3]
  • Kenya: Confirm the latest Kenya Power e-mobility revenue figures through primary financial disclosures and monitor the real effect of the revised tariff on charging operators.
  • Africa-wide: Track whether LEAP and other regional initiatives produce signed financing, standardisation, procurement, or manufacturing commitments.

What this means for Kenya

Germany’s MiSpeL framework offers Kenya a useful longer-term policy reference. As EV numbers rise, Kenya could eventually benefit from controlled vehicle-to-grid or vehicle-to-building programmes, especially where electric buses, battery-swap stations, and commercial depots can coordinate charging with renewable generation and grid demand.

The South African tariff debate is even more immediately relevant. Kenya has already created a special e-mobility tariff, but the practical value depends on clear thresholds, reliable billing, off-peak access, and whether large fleets can plan their charging costs. South Africa’s experience shows why fleet operators need tariffs designed around actual depot load profiles rather than ordinary commercial assumptions.

Ampol’s acquisition also has a Kenya-relevant lesson: charging infrastructure may increasingly attract strategic investment from fuel retailers, utilities, supermarkets, logistics companies, and property owners. Kenya’s charging market could develop faster if operators combine charging with existing high-traffic locations and reliable customer services.

Developments to monitor

  1. Germany’s implementation of MiSpeL, including one- versus two-meter requirements, compensation, and vehicle-to-grid participation.
  2. Completion and network expansion under Ampol’s Evie acquisition.
  3. Any South African utility or government response to the special e-mobility tariff proposal.
  4. Official Kenya Power confirmation of e-mobility electricity sales and revenue for the latest financial year.
  5. Kenya’s next formal policy action on EV duty treatment, local assembly, components, and charging tariffs.
  6. Measurable country-level projects emerging from LEAP and other African regional initiatives.

Sources

  1. [1] Germany approves rules for storage, bidirectional charging, PV Magazine, 2 October 2026
  2. [2] Australia’s Ampol to buy EV charging operator Evie Networks for $156 million, Reuters, 1 October 2026
  3. [3] Calls For Special E-Mobility Tariffs To Support Fleet Operators in South Africa, CleanTechnica, 3 October 2026
  4. [4] Ampol buys EV charging firm Evie Networks for $156M, Dealroom.co, accessed 4 October 2026

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