As we revealed exclusively on Monday it has now been OFFICIALLY announced that JOLT, Australia’s digital out-of-home (DOOH) and electric vehicle charging network, will acquire a substantial portion of the Volta Media Network from Shell.
Doug McNamee Tries To Resurrect The Dead
WIth this acquisition JOLT’s EV charger and DOOH network will now have operations in the US as well as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK.
Subject to closing conditions, JOLT will acquire a strategic selection of Volta assets (it says) to deliver maximum value for advertisers and property partners, with sites spanning up to 34 states and 64 designated marketing areas (DMAs), including major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas–Fort Worth.
Basically they will be cherry picking from what is left / viable / not dismantled from Volta’s original 2,000 locations.
Doug McNamee, JOLT CEO said “Our expansion into the US marks an exciting new chapter for JOLT and is a continuation of our growth story of an Australian owned company with global ambitions. 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, and with thousands of additional chargers and screens across the US – the biggest out-of-home market in the world – we bring a compelling global proposition to advertisers. JOLT’s acquisition ensures The Volta Media Network continues to thrive, giving drivers, advertisers, and landlords confidence in its future at a time when its continuation had previously been uncertain.”
JOLT says it plans to expand its presence across major US markets in 2026, partnering with leading advertisers, property owners, and municipalities to grow its integrated charging and media footprint.
The agreement is expected to close January 1, 2026, and is conditional upon satisfaction of closing conditions. Shell was advised on the transaction by Goldman Sach & Co. LLC.
What is important here is how JOLT think they can make these selected sites pay with advertsing when the orginal VOLTA team could not. Shell were allegedly losing a staggering USD 140 million per year by the end of 2024.
Doug’s statement that “The Volta Media Network continues to thrive” is frankly ludicrous, the VOLTA network has NEVER thrived, never made money and the first time around had to be rescued by Shell, who gave it a second life, and EVEN with all of their finanancia muscle / clout and brand, deemed that they had no choice to close it down.
As Ernst Stavro Blofeld famously said “you only live twice Mr Bond”.
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