Tag: 3BL

Case IH, a CNH brand, was recognized at the Automotive Business 2025 Award, one of the main awards in the mobility and innovation sector in Brazil, winning the Energy Transition category. The announcement was made recently, at an event held in São Paulo.

The category values initiatives that contribute to decarbonization and the use of renewable sources, and the winning project was ethanol-powered machines, a technology under development with the objective of reducing emissions and promoting sustainability in agribusiness.

“Receiving this award reinforces our commitment to the decarbonization of agriculture and to solutions that combine productivity and sustainability. Ethanol is a strategic fuel for Brazil, and we are moving forward to offer a complete portfolio of machines powered by this renewable source,” says Leandro Conde, Director of Marketing and Communication at Case IH for Latin America.

The first phase began with the exhibition of the prototype of the Otto Cycle engine of the Austoft 9000 sugarcane harvester developed by FPT Industrial, during Agrishow 2024. Since then, the project has been developed with a focus on bench and field tests. Recently, the brand also announced the tests of the Puma 230 tractor powered by the fuel and which is operating alongside the harvester.

Case IH, a CNH brand, was recognized at the Automotive Business 2025 Award, one of the main awards in the mobility and innovation sector in Brazil, winning the Energy Transition category. The announcement was made recently, at an event held in São Paulo.

The category values initiatives that contribute to decarbonization and the use of renewable sources, and the winning project was ethanol-powered machines, a technology under development with the objective of reducing emissions and promoting sustainability in agribusiness.

“Receiving this award reinforces our commitment to the decarbonization of agriculture and to solutions that combine productivity and sustainability. Ethanol is a strategic fuel for Brazil, and we are moving forward to offer a complete portfolio of machines powered by this renewable source,” says Leandro Conde, Director of Marketing and Communication at Case IH for Latin America.

The first phase began with the exhibition of the prototype of the Otto Cycle engine of the Austoft 9000 sugarcane harvester developed by FPT Industrial, during Agrishow 2024. Since then, the project has been developed with a focus on bench and field tests. Recently, the brand also announced the tests of the Puma 230 tractor powered by the fuel and which is operating alongside the harvester.

At Tapestry, attracting top talent is about more than describing a role and its responsibilities – it’s about giving early-career candidates a real glimpse into how they can unlock their full potential and contribute to an inclusive culture. That’s why internships and apprenticeships sit at the center of Tapestry’s talent strategy, not to the side. They bring different perspectives into Tapestry, as well as its brands, Coach and kate spade new york, while giving early-career talent hands-on experience, mentorship, and a clear sense of how they can continue to grow over time.

For 2026, the doors are officially open:

• Corporate Summer Internship Program (10 weeks): Welcomes rising juniors and seniors, graduating seniors, students in specialized programs, and master’s students who attend school in the U.S. and are eligible to work in the U.S. Applications are due January 12.
• Design Apprentice Program (12 months, full-time): Design-minded talent works side-by-side with seasoned designers, learn the full design process, and complete a final project. A portfolio is required, and applications are due February 2.
• Store Leadership Internships: Expanded across more U.S. Coach and kate spade new york locations, these in-store programs take rising seniors, recent graduates, and graduate students behind the scenes of retail leadership. Applications go live the week of December 15 and close February 9.

Year-round, Tapestry’s Talent Acquisition team works hard to make these pathways more inclusive and intentional – running hiring workshops to reduce bias, elevating retail recruiting, and partnering with schools like the High School of Fashion Industries and the College for Creative Studies to create more opportunities for the next generation of designers.

If you’re an early-career candidate, now is the time to join a company where your voice is valued, your ambitions are supported, and your work is recognized.

Learn more and apply here: https://careers.tapestry.com/. 

 

At Tapestry, attracting top talent is about more than describing a role and its responsibilities – it’s about giving early-career candidates a real glimpse into how they can unlock their full potential and contribute to an inclusive culture. That’s why internships and apprenticeships sit at the center of Tapestry’s talent strategy, not to the side. They bring different perspectives into Tapestry, as well as its brands, Coach and kate spade new york, while giving early-career talent hands-on experience, mentorship, and a clear sense of how they can continue to grow over time.

For 2026, the doors are officially open:

• Corporate Summer Internship Program (10 weeks): Welcomes rising juniors and seniors, graduating seniors, students in specialized programs, and master’s students who attend school in the U.S. and are eligible to work in the U.S. Applications are due January 12.
• Design Apprentice Program (12 months, full-time): Design-minded talent works side-by-side with seasoned designers, learn the full design process, and complete a final project. A portfolio is required, and applications are due February 2.
• Store Leadership Internships: Expanded across more U.S. Coach and kate spade new york locations, these in-store programs take rising seniors, recent graduates, and graduate students behind the scenes of retail leadership. Applications go live the week of December 15 and close February 9.

Year-round, Tapestry’s Talent Acquisition team works hard to make these pathways more inclusive and intentional – running hiring workshops to reduce bias, elevating retail recruiting, and partnering with schools like the High School of Fashion Industries and the College for Creative Studies to create more opportunities for the next generation of designers.

If you’re an early-career candidate, now is the time to join a company where your voice is valued, your ambitions are supported, and your work is recognized.

Learn more and apply here: https://careers.tapestry.com/. 

 

If 2025 was a year of recalibration, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of rebuilding. And for businesses, that means getting better at navigating the unknown, while playing a part in the solutions. This coming year, business leaders face a landscape marked by political polarization, economic uncertainty, and technological acceleration. The question isn’t whether business should lead; it’s how—in a way that feels connected to purpose, relevant to the business, and tied to the expectations and needs of key stakeholders.

At CECP, we know corporate purpose is the compass. It’s what helps companies stay grounded in their mission and values while adapting to change. It’s what builds trust across employees, communities, investors, consumers, and partners, even when the headlines are divisive. It’s what enables leaders to make decisions grounded in corporate values that are both principled and pragmatic.

As we look ahead to 2026, four imperatives stand out:

1. Rebuilding Trust Through Local Connection
2. Reskilling for a Reshaped Workforce
3. Reframing Language in a Polarized World
4. Rethinking Transparency and the Future of Reporting

These themes reflect what we’re hearing from CEOs and corporate leaders across our network. They also reflect the moment that we’re in. That is a moment that demands courage, clarity, and a renewed commitment to long-term value by prioritizing resilience and sustainable growth.

Rebuilding Trust Through Local Connection

Companies are rediscovering the power of local connection and getting back to basics. Trust is built through listening, showing up, and responding to the most pressing community needs, such as housing, hunger, jobs, and education.

In 2026, the future of responsible capitalism starts at home. We’re seeing a focus on repatriation with companies investing in local communities, rebuilding supply chains, and strengthening regional partnerships. This isn’t just about risk mitigation. It’s about relevance and shoring up the communities in which businesses operate.

Companies are also navigating new expectations around community investment, including the 1% threshold within the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which establishes a floor on the deductibility of corporate charitable contributions, as well as employees’ demand for more engaging volunteering opportunities. As companies assess how changes in tax law impact them, they’re also reevaluating the full spectrum of how they invest in society, from philanthropic giving to non-cash giving (e.g., product and service donations, pro bono support, skills-based volunteering), which is on the rise. At the same time, many companies are feeling increased pressure, especially in the U.S., to deploy funds quickly in response to emergency issues, requiring faster decision-making and more agile partnerships. A recent CECP Pulse Survey showed that a third (31%) of companies plan to support local community organizations following the reduction/pause of SNAP benefits, signaling a meaningful commitment by a portion of the private sector to help address food insecurity, while recognizing that business efforts complement rather than replace government programs.

The Edelman Trust Barometer continues to show that business is the most trusted institution, but that trust is fragile. It depends on proximity, empathy, and action. It depends on leaders who find relevant local issues in which to invest and use language that connects instead of divides.

We’ve also been operating in an age of corporate grievance. From “economic blackout” boycotts to backlash against DEI initiatives, companies are being pulled into the cultural debate. While these pressures are not entirely new, the rise of social media has amplified and accelerated calls for accountability, making them more visible, immediate, and harder to ignore. What’s different today is that these dynamics are being tracked and scrutinized in real time. The challenge for businesses is to reduce the harm they might be causing and stay true to their values while navigating complexity. Corporate purpose helps bridge that gap.

As CECP founder Paul Newman once said, companies must “do more.” That doesn’t mean taking sides. It means taking responsibility. It means listening differently, responding locally, and leading with empathy.

CECP helps companies build trust through:

• Benchmarking & corporate trend data – Track peer practices and emerging trends to inform strategy and reporting decisions around employee engagement, sustainable business, and corporate societal engagement. With momentum building around quantifying “connection,” CECP provides data on volunteering and employee engagement, as well as thought leadership on the reputational value of volunteering and the tangible benefits it delivers in employee loyalty, culture, and retention.
• Fast-Track Consulting – Custom guidance to address urgent questions and challenges, in support of goal setting and strategy building, identifying best practices, defending budgets, and more.
• Advanced Advisories – Tailored projects that engage a team of experts in building, communicating, evaluating, and measuring a company’s social strategies. These projects often involve stakeholder interviews to help determine specific needs and scorecard development to track impact.
• CEO and corporate leader convenings – Curated in-person and virtual forums for peer-to-peer connection, support, insight sharing, and collaboration to drive measurable community impact and returns on purpose. In this environment, peer connection is more than a nice-to-have; it’s strategic asset.

In 2026, the most resilient companies will be those that reconnect with their communities as true partners, rather than viewing them solely as markets.

Reskilling for a Reshaped Workforce

AI is transforming the entire job trajectory. Entry-level roles are disappearing. Frontline workers are facing new pressures. And demographic shifts, including declining immigration, are creating talent gaps that rival the impact of tariffs.

Many CEOs are using KPIs like lower headcounts and reduced operating costs to signal efficiency. But beneath those metrics lies a deeper challenge: how do we build a workforce that’s ready for what’s next?

The answer isn’t just automation, it’s adaptation and recognizing which roles require uniquely human skills. Companies like Medtronic are investing in specialized roles—manufacturing technicians, biomedical engineers—that demand hands-on expertise that AI cannot replicate. It’s about investing in people, especially those historically overlooked or entering new job markets like veterans, and creating pathways to good-paying, in-demand jobs that leverage human judgment and skill.

In 2026, we see a growing need for programs that prepare employees for these durable roles; collaborative initiatives that bring together employers, educators, and community partners to build specialized talent pipelines; as well as platforms for frontline employees to share their valuable insights about the work that truly requires human expertise.

CECP helps companies prepare for the future of work with:

• Accelerators – Professional development into priority areas to advance strategies and the field by upskilling teams on specific best practices. These gatherings incorporate CECP data and insights, peer learning, company case examples, and shared resources.
• AI Employee Voice Scorecard – A tool that enables companies to take point-in-time snapshots of employee engagement, track progress year-over-year, and drive real business impact.
• Responsible AI Community of Practice – A learning and engagement program and cohort to help companies integrate employee voices when designing and developing large language models, ensuring buy-in, efficiency, productivity, and growth.
• Employee engagement strategy support – Using insights drawn from our Giving in Numbers™ data, we help leaders design people-centered strategies though benchmarking, trend analysis, and identifying high-impact engagement levers across industries.

Changes happening in the job market due to AI are very real. But so is the opportunity to build a workforce that’s more inclusive, more agile, and more aligned with purpose.

Reframing Language in a Polarized World

Language itself has become a fault line. Acronyms like ESG and DEI, once shorthand for responsible business, are now politicized flashpoints. Employees, communities, and investors are left questioning what companies truly mean when they use these terms. The challenge for leaders is not only to act responsibly, but to communicate responsibly, choosing words that connect instead of divide.

Corporate purpose provides the compass. By reframing language around people, communities, and long-term value, CEOs and their teams can cut through polarization and reinforce trust. This means shifting from jargon to clarity: “social human capital” becomes “ “sustainability” becomes “long-term success,” “governance” becomes “responsible leadership.” It means anchoring commitments in shared values that resonate across audiences. Instead of abstract, vague, and controversial terms, find concrete, specific, and common-sense examples. Equally important, leaders should explain values in business terms (e.g., innovation, new markets, retention, risk management) so that commitments are defensible as core business strategy. When values are tied to tangible outcomes, they are harder to dismiss as rhetoric and easier to champion as drivers of growth and resilience.

The stakes are high. In an era of corporate grievance, where backlash against DEI or boycotts can dominate headlines, words can either inflame or inspire. Courageous leaders will equip their teams with language that is authentic, intuitive, and nonpartisan. This is language that makes responsible business feel relevant to daily life. Reframing language is not semantics; it is strategy. It is how companies demonstrate character, build credibility, and ensure that purpose remains a unifying force in turbulent times.

CECP helps companies reframe language through:

• Purpose-led communications audits – Comprehensive reviews of corporate messaging across reports, websites, and more to identify jargon, politicized terminology, or inconsistencies. CECP provides actionable recommendations to replace abstract acronyms with values-driven clarity that resonates across stakeholder audiences.
• Messaging toolkits – Frameworks that equip leaders, managers, and employees with practical language guides. These connect responsible business commitments to everyday work, ensuring consistency across internal and external communications while reinforcing trust and credibility.
• Integrated Long-Term Plan Framework – A unified roadmap that clearly communicates how a company will create enduring value over the long term. CECP helps companies communicate the connection between purpose and performance by linking a company’s mission, strategy, and measurable outcomes in a clear, tangible way.
• Custom board presentations – Tailored briefings that use CECP’s data and insights to help boards and executives adopt language that bridges divides and reinforces trust. These cover a range of key issue areas such as evolving reporting frameworks, dropping the labels and doing the work, and upskilling employees for the future.

By choosing words that unite rather than divide, companies can ensure their commitments are understood, trusted, and acted upon. The words leaders choose are central to how businesses earn trust in society.

Rethinking Transparency and the Future of Reporting

In 2026, the rules of corporate disclosure will continue to shift. Companies are navigating a new cadence of requirements, evolving expectations, and a growing tension between transparency and reputational risk. The rise in impact reporting has created both opportunities and anxieties: how do you share what matters without saying too much?

There is a delicate balance companies must strike between mitigating risk and exposing themselves to risk. Stakeholders have different information needs: investors want data-driven disclosures, while customers and employees seek values in action through compelling narratives. Regulatory shifts like the SEC’s proposed move toward bi-annual reporting encourage this longer-term, strategic focus over short-term metrics. And reporting isn’t just changing externally. It’s being reshaped internally. Many companies are shifting ownership of corporate responsibility work—moving it from corporate affairs into legal or other functions—or rethinking the cadence and format of their disclosures altogether.

CECP’s guidance is simple: let corporate purpose lead. Your corporate purpose is your North Star. It should guide what you report, how often, and to whom. It should shape the story that your data tell about both performance and impact. In fact, CECP’s Giving in Numbers™: 2025 Edition that 87% of companies now have a corporate purpose statement, and over 90% use it to guide both social investment and broader business decisions. Additionally, companies with metrics aligned to their corporate purpose reported 25% higher median revenue and 22% higher median pre-tax profit than those without such metrics. This underscores that purpose is no longer a communications exercise, but a strategic imperative.

Companies are increasingly embracing more meaningful data disclosures, shifting toward reporting designed for specific audiences—investors, employees, customers, and communities—that prioritizes relevance over volume. Instead of overwhelming audiences with fragmented metrics, leading firms are curating insights to what each stakeholder group values: rigorous data and benchmarks for investors, cultural and impact stories for employees and customers, backed by clear narratives that connect the data to real-world outcomes. Gathering insights from 500+ corporate leaders, a CECP Pulse Survey found that, in 2026, 78% of companies plan to publish a full report, while 13% will publish a summary or data index, reflecting a trend toward streamlined disclosure to meet transparency expectations.

CECP helps companies communicate transparently and strengthen their impact with:

• Integrated Long-Term Disclosure Assessment – A clear, data-backed, actionable snapshot of where a company stands and where it can make the biggest impact.
• Communications support – Tailored and unified messaging that connects with specific stakeholders or unites a range of stakeholders who may have differing perspectives and expectations.
• Corporate purpose statement development – Support to clearly and authentically articulate a company’s reason for being that connects with employees, customers, and communities.
• Impact report development – End-to-end support for companies developing their impact reports, to ensure streamlined and transparent communication, purpose-aligned messaging, and strategy-led storytelling while addressing measured progress on responsible business goals.

We help leaders identify the valuable data and stories they hold—not only in goods and services, but in the talent and expertise of their people—and how they can share it in ways that build trust, brand equity, and credibility.

In 2026, transparency isn’t just about compliance. It’s about clarity. It’s about showing who you are, what your company stands for, and how you’re creating value that lasts for the long haul.

The Role of Business in 2026

The role of business today goes beyond competition. It’s about connection. To lead with values and integrity, even when the political climate is polarized. To build trust, share impact, and invest in people, all while staying focused on creating enduring value for the company for the long term.

Gallup research shows Americans are rethinking capitalism. They’re asking what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change. Increasingly, they see responsible business as the key to shared prosperity and they’re looking to businesses to lead the way.

In 2026, companies must rise to that challenge. They must take politics out of corporate purpose, not by avoiding hard conversations, but by anchoring in shared values. They must show that corporate purpose isn’t a slogan, it’s a strategy.

CECP is here to help. We offer tools, insights, and partnerships that support CEOs and corporate leaders to lead with clarity and courage. From reporting strategy to workforce engagement to community connection, we help companies turn corporate purpose into action.

Because in a world of uncertainty, lasting values are your greatest advantage

Let’s get to work.

If 2025 was a year of recalibration, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of rebuilding. And for businesses, that means getting better at navigating the unknown, while playing a part in the solutions. This coming year, business leaders face a landscape marked by political polarization, economic uncertainty, and technological acceleration. The question isn’t whether business should lead; it’s how—in a way that feels connected to purpose, relevant to the business, and tied to the expectations and needs of key stakeholders.

At CECP, we know corporate purpose is the compass. It’s what helps companies stay grounded in their mission and values while adapting to change. It’s what builds trust across employees, communities, investors, consumers, and partners, even when the headlines are divisive. It’s what enables leaders to make decisions grounded in corporate values that are both principled and pragmatic.

As we look ahead to 2026, four imperatives stand out:

1. Rebuilding Trust Through Local Connection
2. Reskilling for a Reshaped Workforce
3. Reframing Language in a Polarized World
4. Rethinking Transparency and the Future of Reporting

These themes reflect what we’re hearing from CEOs and corporate leaders across our network. They also reflect the moment that we’re in. That is a moment that demands courage, clarity, and a renewed commitment to long-term value by prioritizing resilience and sustainable growth.

Rebuilding Trust Through Local Connection

Companies are rediscovering the power of local connection and getting back to basics. Trust is built through listening, showing up, and responding to the most pressing community needs, such as housing, hunger, jobs, and education.

In 2026, the future of responsible capitalism starts at home. We’re seeing a focus on repatriation with companies investing in local communities, rebuilding supply chains, and strengthening regional partnerships. This isn’t just about risk mitigation. It’s about relevance and shoring up the communities in which businesses operate.

Companies are also navigating new expectations around community investment, including the 1% threshold within the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which establishes a floor on the deductibility of corporate charitable contributions, as well as employees’ demand for more engaging volunteering opportunities. As companies assess how changes in tax law impact them, they’re also reevaluating the full spectrum of how they invest in society, from philanthropic giving to non-cash giving (e.g., product and service donations, pro bono support, skills-based volunteering), which is on the rise. At the same time, many companies are feeling increased pressure, especially in the U.S., to deploy funds quickly in response to emergency issues, requiring faster decision-making and more agile partnerships. A recent CECP Pulse Survey showed that a third (31%) of companies plan to support local community organizations following the reduction/pause of SNAP benefits, signaling a meaningful commitment by a portion of the private sector to help address food insecurity, while recognizing that business efforts complement rather than replace government programs.

The Edelman Trust Barometer continues to show that business is the most trusted institution, but that trust is fragile. It depends on proximity, empathy, and action. It depends on leaders who find relevant local issues in which to invest and use language that connects instead of divides.

We’ve also been operating in an age of corporate grievance. From “economic blackout” boycotts to backlash against DEI initiatives, companies are being pulled into the cultural debate. While these pressures are not entirely new, the rise of social media has amplified and accelerated calls for accountability, making them more visible, immediate, and harder to ignore. What’s different today is that these dynamics are being tracked and scrutinized in real time. The challenge for businesses is to reduce the harm they might be causing and stay true to their values while navigating complexity. Corporate purpose helps bridge that gap.

As CECP founder Paul Newman once said, companies must “do more.” That doesn’t mean taking sides. It means taking responsibility. It means listening differently, responding locally, and leading with empathy.

CECP helps companies build trust through:

• Benchmarking & corporate trend data – Track peer practices and emerging trends to inform strategy and reporting decisions around employee engagement, sustainable business, and corporate societal engagement. With momentum building around quantifying “connection,” CECP provides data on volunteering and employee engagement, as well as thought leadership on the reputational value of volunteering and the tangible benefits it delivers in employee loyalty, culture, and retention.
• Fast-Track Consulting – Custom guidance to address urgent questions and challenges, in support of goal setting and strategy building, identifying best practices, defending budgets, and more.
• Advanced Advisories – Tailored projects that engage a team of experts in building, communicating, evaluating, and measuring a company’s social strategies. These projects often involve stakeholder interviews to help determine specific needs and scorecard development to track impact.
• CEO and corporate leader convenings – Curated in-person and virtual forums for peer-to-peer connection, support, insight sharing, and collaboration to drive measurable community impact and returns on purpose. In this environment, peer connection is more than a nice-to-have; it’s strategic asset.

In 2026, the most resilient companies will be those that reconnect with their communities as true partners, rather than viewing them solely as markets.

Reskilling for a Reshaped Workforce

AI is transforming the entire job trajectory. Entry-level roles are disappearing. Frontline workers are facing new pressures. And demographic shifts, including declining immigration, are creating talent gaps that rival the impact of tariffs.

Many CEOs are using KPIs like lower headcounts and reduced operating costs to signal efficiency. But beneath those metrics lies a deeper challenge: how do we build a workforce that’s ready for what’s next?

The answer isn’t just automation, it’s adaptation and recognizing which roles require uniquely human skills. Companies like Medtronic are investing in specialized roles—manufacturing technicians, biomedical engineers—that demand hands-on expertise that AI cannot replicate. It’s about investing in people, especially those historically overlooked or entering new job markets like veterans, and creating pathways to good-paying, in-demand jobs that leverage human judgment and skill.

In 2026, we see a growing need for programs that prepare employees for these durable roles; collaborative initiatives that bring together employers, educators, and community partners to build specialized talent pipelines; as well as platforms for frontline employees to share their valuable insights about the work that truly requires human expertise.

CECP helps companies prepare for the future of work with:

• Accelerators – Professional development into priority areas to advance strategies and the field by upskilling teams on specific best practices. These gatherings incorporate CECP data and insights, peer learning, company case examples, and shared resources.
• AI Employee Voice Scorecard – A tool that enables companies to take point-in-time snapshots of employee engagement, track progress year-over-year, and drive real business impact.
• Responsible AI Community of Practice – A learning and engagement program and cohort to help companies integrate employee voices when designing and developing large language models, ensuring buy-in, efficiency, productivity, and growth.
• Employee engagement strategy support – Using insights drawn from our Giving in Numbers™ data, we help leaders design people-centered strategies though benchmarking, trend analysis, and identifying high-impact engagement levers across industries.

Changes happening in the job market due to AI are very real. But so is the opportunity to build a workforce that’s more inclusive, more agile, and more aligned with purpose.

Reframing Language in a Polarized World

Language itself has become a fault line. Acronyms like ESG and DEI, once shorthand for responsible business, are now politicized flashpoints. Employees, communities, and investors are left questioning what companies truly mean when they use these terms. The challenge for leaders is not only to act responsibly, but to communicate responsibly, choosing words that connect instead of divide.

Corporate purpose provides the compass. By reframing language around people, communities, and long-term value, CEOs and their teams can cut through polarization and reinforce trust. This means shifting from jargon to clarity: “social human capital” becomes “ “sustainability” becomes “long-term success,” “governance” becomes “responsible leadership.” It means anchoring commitments in shared values that resonate across audiences. Instead of abstract, vague, and controversial terms, find concrete, specific, and common-sense examples. Equally important, leaders should explain values in business terms (e.g., innovation, new markets, retention, risk management) so that commitments are defensible as core business strategy. When values are tied to tangible outcomes, they are harder to dismiss as rhetoric and easier to champion as drivers of growth and resilience.

The stakes are high. In an era of corporate grievance, where backlash against DEI or boycotts can dominate headlines, words can either inflame or inspire. Courageous leaders will equip their teams with language that is authentic, intuitive, and nonpartisan. This is language that makes responsible business feel relevant to daily life. Reframing language is not semantics; it is strategy. It is how companies demonstrate character, build credibility, and ensure that purpose remains a unifying force in turbulent times.

CECP helps companies reframe language through:

• Purpose-led communications audits – Comprehensive reviews of corporate messaging across reports, websites, and more to identify jargon, politicized terminology, or inconsistencies. CECP provides actionable recommendations to replace abstract acronyms with values-driven clarity that resonates across stakeholder audiences.
• Messaging toolkits – Frameworks that equip leaders, managers, and employees with practical language guides. These connect responsible business commitments to everyday work, ensuring consistency across internal and external communications while reinforcing trust and credibility.
• Integrated Long-Term Plan Framework – A unified roadmap that clearly communicates how a company will create enduring value over the long term. CECP helps companies communicate the connection between purpose and performance by linking a company’s mission, strategy, and measurable outcomes in a clear, tangible way.
• Custom board presentations – Tailored briefings that use CECP’s data and insights to help boards and executives adopt language that bridges divides and reinforces trust. These cover a range of key issue areas such as evolving reporting frameworks, dropping the labels and doing the work, and upskilling employees for the future.

By choosing words that unite rather than divide, companies can ensure their commitments are understood, trusted, and acted upon. The words leaders choose are central to how businesses earn trust in society.

Rethinking Transparency and the Future of Reporting

In 2026, the rules of corporate disclosure will continue to shift. Companies are navigating a new cadence of requirements, evolving expectations, and a growing tension between transparency and reputational risk. The rise in impact reporting has created both opportunities and anxieties: how do you share what matters without saying too much?

There is a delicate balance companies must strike between mitigating risk and exposing themselves to risk. Stakeholders have different information needs: investors want data-driven disclosures, while customers and employees seek values in action through compelling narratives. Regulatory shifts like the SEC’s proposed move toward bi-annual reporting encourage this longer-term, strategic focus over short-term metrics. And reporting isn’t just changing externally. It’s being reshaped internally. Many companies are shifting ownership of corporate responsibility work—moving it from corporate affairs into legal or other functions—or rethinking the cadence and format of their disclosures altogether.

CECP’s guidance is simple: let corporate purpose lead. Your corporate purpose is your North Star. It should guide what you report, how often, and to whom. It should shape the story that your data tell about both performance and impact. In fact, CECP’s Giving in Numbers™: 2025 Edition that 87% of companies now have a corporate purpose statement, and over 90% use it to guide both social investment and broader business decisions. Additionally, companies with metrics aligned to their corporate purpose reported 25% higher median revenue and 22% higher median pre-tax profit than those without such metrics. This underscores that purpose is no longer a communications exercise, but a strategic imperative.

Companies are increasingly embracing more meaningful data disclosures, shifting toward reporting designed for specific audiences—investors, employees, customers, and communities—that prioritizes relevance over volume. Instead of overwhelming audiences with fragmented metrics, leading firms are curating insights to what each stakeholder group values: rigorous data and benchmarks for investors, cultural and impact stories for employees and customers, backed by clear narratives that connect the data to real-world outcomes. Gathering insights from 500+ corporate leaders, a CECP Pulse Survey found that, in 2026, 78% of companies plan to publish a full report, while 13% will publish a summary or data index, reflecting a trend toward streamlined disclosure to meet transparency expectations.

CECP helps companies communicate transparently and strengthen their impact with:

• Integrated Long-Term Disclosure Assessment – A clear, data-backed, actionable snapshot of where a company stands and where it can make the biggest impact.
• Communications support – Tailored and unified messaging that connects with specific stakeholders or unites a range of stakeholders who may have differing perspectives and expectations.
• Corporate purpose statement development – Support to clearly and authentically articulate a company’s reason for being that connects with employees, customers, and communities.
• Impact report development – End-to-end support for companies developing their impact reports, to ensure streamlined and transparent communication, purpose-aligned messaging, and strategy-led storytelling while addressing measured progress on responsible business goals.

We help leaders identify the valuable data and stories they hold—not only in goods and services, but in the talent and expertise of their people—and how they can share it in ways that build trust, brand equity, and credibility.

In 2026, transparency isn’t just about compliance. It’s about clarity. It’s about showing who you are, what your company stands for, and how you’re creating value that lasts for the long haul.

The Role of Business in 2026

The role of business today goes beyond competition. It’s about connection. To lead with values and integrity, even when the political climate is polarized. To build trust, share impact, and invest in people, all while staying focused on creating enduring value for the company for the long term.

Gallup research shows Americans are rethinking capitalism. They’re asking what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change. Increasingly, they see responsible business as the key to shared prosperity and they’re looking to businesses to lead the way.

In 2026, companies must rise to that challenge. They must take politics out of corporate purpose, not by avoiding hard conversations, but by anchoring in shared values. They must show that corporate purpose isn’t a slogan, it’s a strategy.

CECP is here to help. We offer tools, insights, and partnerships that support CEOs and corporate leaders to lead with clarity and courage. From reporting strategy to workforce engagement to community connection, we help companies turn corporate purpose into action.

Because in a world of uncertainty, lasting values are your greatest advantage

Let’s get to work.

LINCOLN, Neb., December 9, 2025 /3BL/ – In partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, Vita Coco’s “Growing Roots Grant” program is making a lasting impact in the lives and education of young people. The grant initiative awarded $50,000 to three schools seeking to expand access to green spaces and strengthen outdoor experiential learning.

Growing Roots was launched in 2024 as a pilot initiative to bring meaningful, tree-focused projects to K–12 schools. Funding applications were open to all schools recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus K-12 program and the opportunity saw great demand. In total, 24 schools representing 18 states submitted nearly $850,000 in requests.

“The overwhelming demand we saw through Growing Roots shows just how eager schools are to connect students with trees and outdoor spaces,” said Dayna Berry, program manager for the Arbor Day Foundation. “Alongside Vita Coco, we’re proud to help schools act on their environmental goals by connecting them with the resources they need to bring nature into the classroom.”

“We’re proud to partner with the Arbor Day Foundation to help schools transform unused locations into green spaces that promote health, wellness, and leadership,” said John Tran, Director of Sustainability and Social Impact at Vita Coco. “These projects reflect our commitment to strengthening communal wellbeing by investing in the people and places that help neighborhoods thrive.”

The Arbor Day Foundation and Vita Coco selected three recipients for the $50,000 in funding. At the end of the program’s pilot year, Growing Roots engaged nearly 2,000 students, grew 800 seedlings, and planted more than 90 trees.

Growing Roots Program Funding Recipients 

• Buffalo Public School #84 (Buffalo, NY) transformed 1,500 square feet of unused space into an accessible learning and inclusive outdoor classroom for students with mental and physical disabilities. With a view of 14 cherry blossom trees, staff and students immediately integrated the space into daily learning and wellness activities.
• Le Jardin Academy (Kailua, HI) built a native plant nursery as on-campus conservation and nature education hub. In addition to dozens of trees and hundreds of seedlings, grant funding also supported summer internships and fostered leadership opportunities for students.  
• On Track Academy (Spokane, WA) empowered students to help turn unused campus areas into outdoor classrooms. It motivated them to expand the scope of the project and seek collaboration from more than 15 local partners, businesses and community organizations. In total they raised an additional $85,000 in community donations. The project also helped connect students to real-world urban forestry careers.

The three 2024 grant recipients are all schools recognized by Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus K-12 program. Tree Campus K-12 honors schools that show dedication to enhancing student well-being through tree education, hands-on experiences, and community engagement. Currently 107 K-12 Campuses are recognized across 33 states.

Visit arborday.org to learn more about the program’s four core standards.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners.

And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

About The Vita Coco Company
The Vita Coco Company is a family of brands on a mission to reimagine what’s possible when brands deliver healthy, nutritious, and great-tasting products that are better for consumers and better for the world. This includes its flagship coconut water brand Vita Coco and protein-infused water PWR LIFT. The Company was co-founded in 2004 by Michael Kirban and Ira Liran and is a public benefit corporation and Certified B Corporation. Vita Coco, the principal brand within the Company’s portfolio, is the leading coconut water brand in the U.S. With electrolytes, nutrients, and vitamins, coconut water has become a top beverage choice among consumers after a workout, in smoothies, as a cocktail mixer, after a night out, and more.

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Why Megawatt Charging?

As the electrification of heavy-duty transport accelerates, the demand on charging infrastructure is increasing exponentially. While the Combined Charging System (CCS) supports charging power up to 500 kW, this is insufficient for heavy-duty vehicles with battery capacities ranging from 500 to 1000 kWh. This is where the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) comes into play, a new charging standard that enables charging power of up to 3.75 MW (3000 A at 1250 V DC).

Technical Specifications of MCS

• Maximum charging power: 3.75 MW
• Voltage: Up to 1250 V DC
• Current: Up to 3000 A
• Communication: Automotive Ethernet (IEEE 10Base-T1S), replacing Powerline Communication (PLC) used with CCS
• Connector design: Liquid-cooled, with automated locking and optional robotic support

These specifications make it possible to charge a 1000-kWh battery in under 30 minutes, an essential factor for the economic operation of electric trucks in long-haul transport or other heavy-duty vehicles.

Industries and Application Areas

The introduction of the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) opens new possibilities for electrifying vehicles and machines with particularly high energy demands. Industries that rely on large battery capacities, short charging times, and high availability stand to benefit the most. Key application areas include:

• Long-haul transport and logistics: Charging times under 45 minutes enable break-compliant charging in accordance with EU driver regulations.
• Mining vehicles: Electrification of large haul trucks and loaders operating in remote or underground environments, requiring robust and fast charging solutions.
• Construction and agricultural machinery: Electrification of heavy off-highway vehicles.
• Maritime applications: Electric ferries and harbor tugs requiring high charging power.
• Airport operations: Ground support equipment such as pushbacks and baggage tractors.
• Public transport and bus depots: Fast depot charging overnight or at terminal stops.

Technological Challenges

The implementation of the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) introduces a range of complex technical challenges that go far beyond current e-mobility standards. One of the most critical hurdles is thermal management. At current levels of up to 3000 amps, significant heat losses occur, which not only reduce efficiency but also pose safety risks. To reliably dissipate this heat, MCS relies on an actively cooled cable and connector system with liquid cooling, ensuring stable thermal performance even under continuous load.

Another key aspect is electrical safety. With charging voltages reaching up to 1250 volts, the requirements for insulation, overvoltage protection, and arc detection increase significantly. The MCS specification, therefore, includes multi-layered safety mechanisms at both the hardware and protocol levels. These include galvanic isolation, automated locking systems, and continuous monitoring of electrical parameters throughout the charging process.

Communication between the vehicle and the charging infrastructure also undergoes a fundamental shift with MCS. Instead of the previously used Powerline Communication (PLC), an automotive Ethernet-based communication technology (IEEE 10Base-T1S) is implemented. This change is necessary to ensure electromagnetic compatibility at high power levels while enabling robust, low-latency data transmission, especially for charging control commands and authentication processes.

Finally, the physical handling of the system presents its own challenges. Due to the size and weight of the MCS connector and cable, the use of robotic charging systems is being considered in many applications. These systems aim to improve ergonomics and enable automated, standardized charging infrastructure for fleets and logistics hubs.

Infrastructure and Grid Requirements

Implementing megawatt charging systems places significant demands not only on vehicle technology but also on charging infrastructure and energy supply. Due to the extremely high-power levels, up to 3.75 megawatts per charging point, a direct connection to the medium-voltage grid is typically essential. This means that MCS stations cannot be operated via conventional low-voltage connections like standard fast chargers. Instead, they require dedicated transformers and switchgear to deliver the necessary power.

A central issue in this context is load management. To avoid grid overloads while maintaining economic viability, MCS sites must be equipped with intelligent energy management systems. These systems coordinate charging schedules, prioritize vehicles based on operational needs, and can integrate local energy sources such as photovoltaic systems or stationary battery storage. Especially in logistics hubs or highway corridors where multiple vehicles may charge simultaneously, dynamic load balancing is critical.

Scalability is another key consideration. The infrastructure must be designed to grow with increasing demand, both in terms of physical layout and grid capacity. This requires close collaboration between charging infrastructure providers, utility companies, and local authorities, particularly when it comes to permitting and expanding medium-voltage connections.

Standardization also plays a decisive role. Only if MCS charging points are interoperable across manufacturers and can be seamlessly integrated into existing backend systems, a widespread rollout will be successful. The CharIN initiative is therefore working intensively on the global harmonization of MCS specifications to ensure interoperability and investment security.

What comes next: MCS as a Strategic Enabler of Transport Decarbonization

The Megawatt Charging System is on the verge of industrial deployment and is expected to play a central role in transforming the transport sector over the coming years. Initial pilot projects involving MCS-capable vehicles and infrastructure are already underway in Europe and North America. From 2025 onward, broader market adoption is anticipated, particularly in long-haul transport, where charging time and range are critical economic factors.

In the long run, MCS will extend beyond highway corridors and logistics centers. It will also be implemented in multimodal transport hubs like ports, airports, and industrial areas. In these settings, MCS can act as a technological link between different modes of transportation, supporting seamless electrification, from trucks to ships to automated ground vehicles.

Another driver of MCS adoption is the increasing automation of fleet operations. Combined with autonomous vehicles and robotic charging systems, fully automated charging processes could emerge, operating around the clock and offering a major advantage for logistics companies with high throughput and tight schedules.

From a regulatory perspective, the direction is also clear: the EU and other regions are tightening CO₂ fleet limits and promoting zero-emission zones, further accelerating demand for high-performance charging infrastructure. Incentive programs and regulatory support are expected to boost the rollout of MCS sites.

Technologically, the system is designed to be scalable and future-proof. The combination of high charging power, standardized interfaces, and digital communication makes MCS a platform technology, well-suited for future applications such as bidirectional charging (vehicle-to-grid) or grid-supportive load shifting.

In summary, MCS is much more than just a new connector, it is a crucial part of the energy transition in the transportation sector. Those who invest in this technology today are laying the groundwork for an emission-free, efficient, and connected heavy-duty transport system of the future.

How Keysight Supports the Transition to Megawatt Charging

In this dynamic environment, Keysight supports OEMs, charging infrastructure providers, and component manufacturers in navigating the technical challenges of megawatt charging. With decades of experience in high-power electronics, automotive testing, and energy systems, Keysight offers comprehensive test and validation solutions focused on performance, safety, and interoperability across the entire MCS ecosystem.

By aligning with standards such as ISO 15118-20 and actively contributing to the development of the MCS specification, Keysight test solutions ensure that new MCS solutions meet both current and future requirements. Whether you’re developing next-generation charging systems or validating individual components, Keysight provides the tools and expertise to accelerate development cycles and reduce time-to-market.

Keysight’s solution portfolio includes:

• High-power test systems for EVSE and EV interface components
• Conformance and interoperability testing for ISO 15118 and MCS protocols
• Power quality and thermal behavior analysis
• Advisory services for system architecture and compliance

With this combination of technology, experience, and industry insight, Keysight is a trusted partner in building a safe, scalable, and future-ready charging infrastructure – designed to meet the demands of next-generation electric heavy-duty transport.

Learn more about the Megawatt Charging Test Solution at: www.keysight.com/megawatt-charging

Why Megawatt Charging?

As the electrification of heavy-duty transport accelerates, the demand on charging infrastructure is increasing exponentially. While the Combined Charging System (CCS) supports charging power up to 500 kW, this is insufficient for heavy-duty vehicles with battery capacities ranging from 500 to 1000 kWh. This is where the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) comes into play, a new charging standard that enables charging power of up to 3.75 MW (3000 A at 1250 V DC).

Technical Specifications of MCS

• Maximum charging power: 3.75 MW
• Voltage: Up to 1250 V DC
• Current: Up to 3000 A
• Communication: Automotive Ethernet (IEEE 10Base-T1S), replacing Powerline Communication (PLC) used with CCS
• Connector design: Liquid-cooled, with automated locking and optional robotic support

These specifications make it possible to charge a 1000-kWh battery in under 30 minutes, an essential factor for the economic operation of electric trucks in long-haul transport or other heavy-duty vehicles.

Industries and Application Areas

The introduction of the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) opens new possibilities for electrifying vehicles and machines with particularly high energy demands. Industries that rely on large battery capacities, short charging times, and high availability stand to benefit the most. Key application areas include:

• Long-haul transport and logistics: Charging times under 45 minutes enable break-compliant charging in accordance with EU driver regulations.
• Mining vehicles: Electrification of large haul trucks and loaders operating in remote or underground environments, requiring robust and fast charging solutions.
• Construction and agricultural machinery: Electrification of heavy off-highway vehicles.
• Maritime applications: Electric ferries and harbor tugs requiring high charging power.
• Airport operations: Ground support equipment such as pushbacks and baggage tractors.
• Public transport and bus depots: Fast depot charging overnight or at terminal stops.

Technological Challenges

The implementation of the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) introduces a range of complex technical challenges that go far beyond current e-mobility standards. One of the most critical hurdles is thermal management. At current levels of up to 3000 amps, significant heat losses occur, which not only reduce efficiency but also pose safety risks. To reliably dissipate this heat, MCS relies on an actively cooled cable and connector system with liquid cooling, ensuring stable thermal performance even under continuous load.

Another key aspect is electrical safety. With charging voltages reaching up to 1250 volts, the requirements for insulation, overvoltage protection, and arc detection increase significantly. The MCS specification, therefore, includes multi-layered safety mechanisms at both the hardware and protocol levels. These include galvanic isolation, automated locking systems, and continuous monitoring of electrical parameters throughout the charging process.

Communication between the vehicle and the charging infrastructure also undergoes a fundamental shift with MCS. Instead of the previously used Powerline Communication (PLC), an automotive Ethernet-based communication technology (IEEE 10Base-T1S) is implemented. This change is necessary to ensure electromagnetic compatibility at high power levels while enabling robust, low-latency data transmission, especially for charging control commands and authentication processes.

Finally, the physical handling of the system presents its own challenges. Due to the size and weight of the MCS connector and cable, the use of robotic charging systems is being considered in many applications. These systems aim to improve ergonomics and enable automated, standardized charging infrastructure for fleets and logistics hubs.

Infrastructure and Grid Requirements

Implementing megawatt charging systems places significant demands not only on vehicle technology but also on charging infrastructure and energy supply. Due to the extremely high-power levels, up to 3.75 megawatts per charging point, a direct connection to the medium-voltage grid is typically essential. This means that MCS stations cannot be operated via conventional low-voltage connections like standard fast chargers. Instead, they require dedicated transformers and switchgear to deliver the necessary power.

A central issue in this context is load management. To avoid grid overloads while maintaining economic viability, MCS sites must be equipped with intelligent energy management systems. These systems coordinate charging schedules, prioritize vehicles based on operational needs, and can integrate local energy sources such as photovoltaic systems or stationary battery storage. Especially in logistics hubs or highway corridors where multiple vehicles may charge simultaneously, dynamic load balancing is critical.

Scalability is another key consideration. The infrastructure must be designed to grow with increasing demand, both in terms of physical layout and grid capacity. This requires close collaboration between charging infrastructure providers, utility companies, and local authorities, particularly when it comes to permitting and expanding medium-voltage connections.

Standardization also plays a decisive role. Only if MCS charging points are interoperable across manufacturers and can be seamlessly integrated into existing backend systems, a widespread rollout will be successful. The CharIN initiative is therefore working intensively on the global harmonization of MCS specifications to ensure interoperability and investment security.

What comes next: MCS as a Strategic Enabler of Transport Decarbonization

The Megawatt Charging System is on the verge of industrial deployment and is expected to play a central role in transforming the transport sector over the coming years. Initial pilot projects involving MCS-capable vehicles and infrastructure are already underway in Europe and North America. From 2025 onward, broader market adoption is anticipated, particularly in long-haul transport, where charging time and range are critical economic factors.

In the long run, MCS will extend beyond highway corridors and logistics centers. It will also be implemented in multimodal transport hubs like ports, airports, and industrial areas. In these settings, MCS can act as a technological link between different modes of transportation, supporting seamless electrification, from trucks to ships to automated ground vehicles.

Another driver of MCS adoption is the increasing automation of fleet operations. Combined with autonomous vehicles and robotic charging systems, fully automated charging processes could emerge, operating around the clock and offering a major advantage for logistics companies with high throughput and tight schedules.

From a regulatory perspective, the direction is also clear: the EU and other regions are tightening CO₂ fleet limits and promoting zero-emission zones, further accelerating demand for high-performance charging infrastructure. Incentive programs and regulatory support are expected to boost the rollout of MCS sites.

Technologically, the system is designed to be scalable and future-proof. The combination of high charging power, standardized interfaces, and digital communication makes MCS a platform technology, well-suited for future applications such as bidirectional charging (vehicle-to-grid) or grid-supportive load shifting.

In summary, MCS is much more than just a new connector, it is a crucial part of the energy transition in the transportation sector. Those who invest in this technology today are laying the groundwork for an emission-free, efficient, and connected heavy-duty transport system of the future.

How Keysight Supports the Transition to Megawatt Charging

In this dynamic environment, Keysight supports OEMs, charging infrastructure providers, and component manufacturers in navigating the technical challenges of megawatt charging. With decades of experience in high-power electronics, automotive testing, and energy systems, Keysight offers comprehensive test and validation solutions focused on performance, safety, and interoperability across the entire MCS ecosystem.

By aligning with standards such as ISO 15118-20 and actively contributing to the development of the MCS specification, Keysight test solutions ensure that new MCS solutions meet both current and future requirements. Whether you’re developing next-generation charging systems or validating individual components, Keysight provides the tools and expertise to accelerate development cycles and reduce time-to-market.

Keysight’s solution portfolio includes:

• High-power test systems for EVSE and EV interface components
• Conformance and interoperability testing for ISO 15118 and MCS protocols
• Power quality and thermal behavior analysis
• Advisory services for system architecture and compliance

With this combination of technology, experience, and industry insight, Keysight is a trusted partner in building a safe, scalable, and future-ready charging infrastructure – designed to meet the demands of next-generation electric heavy-duty transport.

Learn more about the Megawatt Charging Test Solution at: www.keysight.com/megawatt-charging

Why Megawatt Charging?

As the electrification of heavy-duty transport accelerates, the demand on charging infrastructure is increasing exponentially. While the Combined Charging System (CCS) supports charging power up to 500 kW, this is insufficient for heavy-duty vehicles with battery capacities ranging from 500 to 1000 kWh. This is where the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) comes into play, a new charging standard that enables charging power of up to 3.75 MW (3000 A at 1250 V DC).

Technical Specifications of MCS

• Maximum charging power: 3.75 MW
• Voltage: Up to 1250 V DC
• Current: Up to 3000 A
• Communication: Automotive Ethernet (IEEE 10Base-T1S), replacing Powerline Communication (PLC) used with CCS
• Connector design: Liquid-cooled, with automated locking and optional robotic support

These specifications make it possible to charge a 1000-kWh battery in under 30 minutes, an essential factor for the economic operation of electric trucks in long-haul transport or other heavy-duty vehicles.

Industries and Application Areas

The introduction of the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) opens new possibilities for electrifying vehicles and machines with particularly high energy demands. Industries that rely on large battery capacities, short charging times, and high availability stand to benefit the most. Key application areas include:

• Long-haul transport and logistics: Charging times under 45 minutes enable break-compliant charging in accordance with EU driver regulations.
• Mining vehicles: Electrification of large haul trucks and loaders operating in remote or underground environments, requiring robust and fast charging solutions.
• Construction and agricultural machinery: Electrification of heavy off-highway vehicles.
• Maritime applications: Electric ferries and harbor tugs requiring high charging power.
• Airport operations: Ground support equipment such as pushbacks and baggage tractors.
• Public transport and bus depots: Fast depot charging overnight or at terminal stops.

Technological Challenges

The implementation of the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) introduces a range of complex technical challenges that go far beyond current e-mobility standards. One of the most critical hurdles is thermal management. At current levels of up to 3000 amps, significant heat losses occur, which not only reduce efficiency but also pose safety risks. To reliably dissipate this heat, MCS relies on an actively cooled cable and connector system with liquid cooling, ensuring stable thermal performance even under continuous load.

Another key aspect is electrical safety. With charging voltages reaching up to 1250 volts, the requirements for insulation, overvoltage protection, and arc detection increase significantly. The MCS specification, therefore, includes multi-layered safety mechanisms at both the hardware and protocol levels. These include galvanic isolation, automated locking systems, and continuous monitoring of electrical parameters throughout the charging process.

Communication between the vehicle and the charging infrastructure also undergoes a fundamental shift with MCS. Instead of the previously used Powerline Communication (PLC), an automotive Ethernet-based communication technology (IEEE 10Base-T1S) is implemented. This change is necessary to ensure electromagnetic compatibility at high power levels while enabling robust, low-latency data transmission, especially for charging control commands and authentication processes.

Finally, the physical handling of the system presents its own challenges. Due to the size and weight of the MCS connector and cable, the use of robotic charging systems is being considered in many applications. These systems aim to improve ergonomics and enable automated, standardized charging infrastructure for fleets and logistics hubs.

Infrastructure and Grid Requirements

Implementing megawatt charging systems places significant demands not only on vehicle technology but also on charging infrastructure and energy supply. Due to the extremely high-power levels, up to 3.75 megawatts per charging point, a direct connection to the medium-voltage grid is typically essential. This means that MCS stations cannot be operated via conventional low-voltage connections like standard fast chargers. Instead, they require dedicated transformers and switchgear to deliver the necessary power.

A central issue in this context is load management. To avoid grid overloads while maintaining economic viability, MCS sites must be equipped with intelligent energy management systems. These systems coordinate charging schedules, prioritize vehicles based on operational needs, and can integrate local energy sources such as photovoltaic systems or stationary battery storage. Especially in logistics hubs or highway corridors where multiple vehicles may charge simultaneously, dynamic load balancing is critical.

Scalability is another key consideration. The infrastructure must be designed to grow with increasing demand, both in terms of physical layout and grid capacity. This requires close collaboration between charging infrastructure providers, utility companies, and local authorities, particularly when it comes to permitting and expanding medium-voltage connections.

Standardization also plays a decisive role. Only if MCS charging points are interoperable across manufacturers and can be seamlessly integrated into existing backend systems, a widespread rollout will be successful. The CharIN initiative is therefore working intensively on the global harmonization of MCS specifications to ensure interoperability and investment security.

What comes next: MCS as a Strategic Enabler of Transport Decarbonization

The Megawatt Charging System is on the verge of industrial deployment and is expected to play a central role in transforming the transport sector over the coming years. Initial pilot projects involving MCS-capable vehicles and infrastructure are already underway in Europe and North America. From 2025 onward, broader market adoption is anticipated, particularly in long-haul transport, where charging time and range are critical economic factors.

In the long run, MCS will extend beyond highway corridors and logistics centers. It will also be implemented in multimodal transport hubs like ports, airports, and industrial areas. In these settings, MCS can act as a technological link between different modes of transportation, supporting seamless electrification, from trucks to ships to automated ground vehicles.

Another driver of MCS adoption is the increasing automation of fleet operations. Combined with autonomous vehicles and robotic charging systems, fully automated charging processes could emerge, operating around the clock and offering a major advantage for logistics companies with high throughput and tight schedules.

From a regulatory perspective, the direction is also clear: the EU and other regions are tightening CO₂ fleet limits and promoting zero-emission zones, further accelerating demand for high-performance charging infrastructure. Incentive programs and regulatory support are expected to boost the rollout of MCS sites.

Technologically, the system is designed to be scalable and future-proof. The combination of high charging power, standardized interfaces, and digital communication makes MCS a platform technology, well-suited for future applications such as bidirectional charging (vehicle-to-grid) or grid-supportive load shifting.

In summary, MCS is much more than just a new connector, it is a crucial part of the energy transition in the transportation sector. Those who invest in this technology today are laying the groundwork for an emission-free, efficient, and connected heavy-duty transport system of the future.

How Keysight Supports the Transition to Megawatt Charging

In this dynamic environment, Keysight supports OEMs, charging infrastructure providers, and component manufacturers in navigating the technical challenges of megawatt charging. With decades of experience in high-power electronics, automotive testing, and energy systems, Keysight offers comprehensive test and validation solutions focused on performance, safety, and interoperability across the entire MCS ecosystem.

By aligning with standards such as ISO 15118-20 and actively contributing to the development of the MCS specification, Keysight test solutions ensure that new MCS solutions meet both current and future requirements. Whether you’re developing next-generation charging systems or validating individual components, Keysight provides the tools and expertise to accelerate development cycles and reduce time-to-market.

Keysight’s solution portfolio includes:

• High-power test systems for EVSE and EV interface components
• Conformance and interoperability testing for ISO 15118 and MCS protocols
• Power quality and thermal behavior analysis
• Advisory services for system architecture and compliance

With this combination of technology, experience, and industry insight, Keysight is a trusted partner in building a safe, scalable, and future-ready charging infrastructure – designed to meet the demands of next-generation electric heavy-duty transport.

Learn more about the Megawatt Charging Test Solution at: www.keysight.com/megawatt-charging