EnergyHub Acquires Bridge to Renewables, Strengthening EV Managed Charging Leadership and Accelerating Grid-Edge Innovation
EnergyHub, a recognized leader in grid-edge flexibility and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) solutions, has announced the acquisition of Bridge to Renewables (BTR), a move that underscores the company’s expanding role in shaping the future of managed electric vehicle (EV) charging and distributed energy resources (DERs). This strategic acquisition represents far more than a business expansion; it reflects a significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of how utilities, automakers, and consumers interact with the electric grid during the accelerating energy transition.
Through the deal, EnergyHub gains direct access to BTR’s extensive integrations with leading EV original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), as well as a robust suite of telematics-based solutions that connect hundreds of thousands of vehicles to low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) and managed charging programs. Together, the two companies aim to create an enhanced ecosystem where utilities can scale programs faster, automakers can more easily connect to the grid, and EV drivers enjoy seamless and engaging program experiences.
EnergyHub’s Expanding Grid-Edge Ecosystem
EnergyHub’s core mission has long been centered on enabling utilities to optimize distributed energy resources through its Virtual Power Plant platform. The company partners with more than 80 utilities across North America, orchestrating over 120 programs that bring together a wide array of devices, including EVs, connected thermostats, smart batteries, rooftop solar, and other grid-edge technologies.
By pooling and optimizing these devices on a single, flexible platform, EnergyHub helps utilities navigate challenges such as rapid load growth, rising electrification demands, and the variability of renewable generation. The result is a more resilient, affordable, and customer-friendly energy system.
With the acquisition of BTR, EnergyHub strengthens its ability to integrate EVs more deeply into this ecosystem. Electric vehicles, with their growing market penetration and substantial flexible charging potential, represent one of the most impactful categories of DERs. EVs are unique in their ability to both drive energy demand and provide load-shaping opportunities that support grid reliability.
Bridge to Renewables’ Role in the EV Ecosystem
BTR has built a strong reputation as a premier provider of EV telematics-based solutions. The company works directly with 12 leading EV OEMs, enabling more than 500,000 connected vehicles to participate in energy and sustainability programs.
One of BTR’s flagship contributions has been its work in low carbon fuel standard programs, which incentivize EV adoption and cleaner transportation by awarding credits for reduced emissions. Through its platform, BTR not only connects OEMs and vehicles to these programs but also simplifies how drivers interact with the benefits.
In addition, BTR has developed embeddable mobile app experiences that allow OEMs to offer their customers access to managed charging programs. These applications enable drivers to track participation, optimize charging schedules for cost and emissions reductions, and seamlessly interact with their vehicle’s energy services—all within the OEM’s own branded ecosystem.
This combination of technical integration and consumer engagement is precisely what makes BTR a valuable addition to EnergyHub’s portfolio.
Why Load Flexibility Matters
As electrification accelerates, utilities are facing unprecedented challenges. Rapid EV adoption, electrification of heating, and greater reliance on renewable generation are reshaping demand patterns and straining traditional grid infrastructure. Simply building new capacity is costly, time-consuming, and in some cases environmentally counterproductive.
Load flexibility offers an alternative. By shifting when and how energy is consumed—particularly by flexible resources like EV chargers—utilities can balance demand more effectively, reduce peak loads, and lower overall system costs.
Managed EV charging, in particular, is emerging as a cornerstone of this strategy. Instead of all EV owners plugging in and charging during evening peaks, managed charging programs incentivize drivers to align their charging with grid needs, renewable generation availability, or lower-cost periods. This not only benefits the grid but also saves money for consumers and supports decarbonization.
EnergyHub’s acquisition of BTR directly strengthens the infrastructure needed to make managed charging a mainstream reality.
Key Benefits of the Acquisition
The acquisition delivers tangible benefits to utilities, automakers, and EV drivers alike:
- Accelerated Utility Program Growth
BTR’s deep integrations with leading EV OEMs eliminate barriers for automakers to participate in managed charging programs run by EnergyHub’s utility partners. Utilities will be able to launch programs faster and at larger scales, reducing the complexity of onboarding new vehicles. - Streamlined Access for OEMs
OEMs already integrated with BTR to participate in LCFS programs can now leverage the same connections to access managed charging opportunities. This creates a single, simplified pathway for automakers to expand their role in energy services. - Enhanced EV Driver Experience
BTR’s embeddable mobile app features provide drivers with transparent, engaging experiences. Within their OEM’s native app, drivers can track their participation in programs, monitor cost and emissions savings, and gain confidence in the value of managed charging. Familiarity with these tools is expected to boost enrollment rates, strengthening program adoption.
Leadership Perspectives
Seth Frader-Thompson, President of EnergyHub, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition:
“BTR has proven its value as the connective layer between drivers, EV OEMs, and multiple DERMS providers and regulators. By acquiring BTR, we are accelerating our delivery of transformative grid value and an exceptional customer experience—built on an industry-leading foundation of EV data, seamless integrations, and VPP expertise.”
Jack Barrow, co-founder and CEO of BTR, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the expanded opportunities for both companies’ partners and customers:
“EnergyHub is the ideal partner to bring the benefits of our combined platforms to our OEM partners and millions of EV drivers. With EnergyHub’s reach across more than 80 utilities and proven capabilities across device classes, this combination will catalyze the next phase of growth and innovation in the EV managed charging ecosystem.”
A Broader Vision for the Future
Beyond immediate technical and commercial synergies, the acquisition signals a broader vision: one where the boundaries between transportation, utilities, and digital technology become increasingly blurred.
For utilities, it represents an opportunity to manage rising EV demand proactively, rather than reactively. For automakers, it creates a path to transform vehicles into active participants in the energy system. And for consumers, it simplifies the journey toward affordable, reliable, and sustainable charging experiences.
EnergyHub and BTR’s combined expertise strengthens the foundations of the rapidly expanding VPP ecosystem—where millions of devices, from EVs to smart thermostats, operate not in isolation but in coordinated harmony to support the grid and the clean energy transition.
