In this episode of Auto Futurecast, host Chris Kirby collaborates with Euan McTurk from Plug Life Consulting to explore the evolving world of electric vehicles and battery technology.

From breakthroughs in solid-state batteries to second-life applications and grid storage, this conversation dives into the innovations and challenges redefining the EV landscape.

With a focus on practicality and future potential, the episode covers:

• Battery Chemistry Diversification: How alternatives like LFP and sodium-based batteries are driving down costs, improving safety, and enhancing performance under various conditions.
• Solid-State Batteries: The promise of higher energy density and greater longevity, and why mass production is still a few years away.
• Grid Storage & V2G: The role of advanced technologies like cryogenic storage and vehicle-to-grid capabilities in balancing supply and demand for a sustainable energy future.
• Second-Life Batteries: How used EV batteries are being repurposed for grid storage and retrofitted applications, unlocking new business models and environmental benefits.
• Repairability & Transparency: The shift toward modular, repairable battery systems and the impact of upcoming regulations like the EU’s recycled-material quotas.

As EVs become increasingly central to the global automotive industry, Chris and Euan unpack the key trends shaping the market and discuss how these developments will influence businesses, infrastructure, and consumers alike.

This episode is essential listening for anyone in the EV space, from industry professionals to enthusiasts, offering valuable insights into the future of electric mobility and energy innovation.

In this packed episode of Auto Futurecast, host Chris Kirby sits down with Tony Whitehorn, former President and CEO of Hyundai U.K. and one of the most experienced minds in the automotive world for a comprehensive conversation about the forces redefining the global car industry.

From electric vehicles to geopolitical power plays, connected services to customer expectations, this discussion dives deep into the massive disruption hitting every corner of the automotive value chain.

Tony brings decades of OEM leadership experience to unpack how the traditional automotive landscape, built on century-old principles of manufacturing, brand loyalty, and distribution, is rapidly evolving. The conversation explores:

• Electrification & Brand Fluidity: Why EV adoption is reshaping customer loyalty and allowing new players, particularly from China, to leapfrog established brands through quality, affordability, and tech innovation.
• China’s Global Push: With over 90 EV manufacturers and a robust domestic base, China is poised to dominate global exports. Tony and Chris explore how this is playing out in the U.K., the Middle East, and beyond and why Chinese brands are succeeding where others have stumbled.
• Tariffs & Geopolitics: As the U.S. ramps up tariffs and trade barriers, Tony explains how this “blunt stick” approach may accelerate global realignment, force OEMs to pivot manufacturing, and create ripple effects across Europe, India, and emerging markets.
• The Connected Car Data Opportunity: Despite years of hype, most OEMs still haven’t unlocked the value of the vast data coming from connected vehicles. Tony outlines why software-defined vehicles are only the beginning and how monetizing features, services, and real-time data will define the next decade.
• OEMs vs. Agility: Traditional OEMs are often hampered by internal layers, legacy dealer models, and slow decision-making. They explore why tech startups and vertically integrated challengers (particularly in China and the Middle East) are better positioned to move fast and innovate.
• The Role of Subscriptions & Flexibility: Tony and Chris look at how consumer behaviour is shifting from long-term ownership to flexible access, from hardware to software upgrades and what that means for leasing, financing, and vehicle lifecycle management.

As Tony puts it, “The industry is moving from preservation to transformation,” and companies that don’t rethink their strategies, from production to customer relationships, may find themselves left behind.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in automotive leadership, mobility tech, EV strategy, or simply fascinated by where the car industry is heading. It’s a masterclass in understanding the global dynamics, market opportunities, and technology shifts that are shaping the automotive world.

In the latest episode of the Auto Futurecast podcast, host Chris Kirby speaks to Oliver Phillpott, Co-Founder or Generational, a startup focused on EV battery diagnostics. The insightful conversation delves into the growing importance of battery health in the electric vehicle ecosystem, particularly in the context of vehicle financing, leasing, residual values, and the used car market.

A key discussion point is the misalignment of traditional vehicle valuation methods—which rely heavily on age and mileage—with the reality of EVs, where battery degradation depends largely on usage behaviour such as rapid charging, deep discharging, and storage practices. Oliver notes that age and mileage are poor predictors of battery health, making standardised diagnostics vital.

This episode also explores the implications of battery health for finance companies, many of which are now carrying large numbers of EVs without insight into battery quality. This lack of data creates significant risk. Some lenders are already refusing to finance certain EV models due to battery concerns, underlining the need for standardised diagnostics in financing decisions.

Generational’s technology is increasingly being used by dealers, who find that providing battery certificates boosts customer trust and even triples ad views for used EV listings. For consumers, this adds a layer of transparency comparable to MOT certificates or energy efficiency ratings in homes, helping normalize battery data in the used vehicle buying process.

On the residual value front, Oliver and Chris discuss the likely shift toward usage-based pricing models, where lease terms could incorporate factors like charging behaviour or battery-friendly driving styles—enabled by connected vehicle data. This could mean lower lease costs for drivers who treat their batteries well, creating incentives for better EV stewardship.

The pair also touch on the potential for a secondary EV reconditioning market, where used EVs with strong batteries might be refurbished with updated software or parts, extending their lifespan and resale value. Oliver predicts that this kind of innovation will become central to building a sustainable and profitable used EV market.

Finally, Oliver emphasises that transparency and education will be key to aligning the interests of drivers, dealers, and finance providers. With growing industry awareness and improved access to battery data, stakeholders can reduce risk and improve the long-term viability of EV adoption.

This latest episode from Auto Futurecast, sponsored by Solifi and in partnership with Tomorrow’s Journey and Asset Finance Connect, offers valuable insights for anyone involved in automotive finance, fleet management, or the evolving EV market.