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Episode 154: Liz Allan and Ben Nelmes - How EV Sales Are Surging and What It Means for the UK’s Net Zero Journey.

Liz Allan speaks to Ben Nelmes, Executive Director and co-founder of New Automotive. They explore the rapid growth of electric vehicle adoption in the UK and what it means for our path to net zero.

Ben shares the journey that led him from shaping climate and energy policy in Parliament to establishing New Automotive in 2020, an independent think tank dedicated to accelerating the shift to zero-emission vehicles through data-driven insight. They discuss the numbers behind June’s landmark moment when one in four new cars sold in the UK was electric, highlighting the conditions that made it possible and the lessons it offers for other markets.

Liz and Ben also dive into the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, consumer mindset shifts, the affordability debate, and the findings of the Cost of Driving Electric report. Ben explains how New Automotive uses data not just to track EV adoption, but to cut through misinformation, influence policy, and support a fair, inclusive transition.

Ben Nelmes Bio:
Ben Nelmes has spent his career at the intersection of climate policy and transport, helping shape how the UK responds to the challenge of decarbonisation. Before co-founding New Automotive in 2020, he advised the chair of the House of Commons Environment Committee and worked across a range of energy and environmental policy roles. Known for turning complex data into clear, actionable insights, Ben has become a respected voice in the EV sector, championing transparency, consumer awareness, and evidence-based policy to accelerate the shift to cleaner transport.

Quote of the Episode:
“The UK is emerging as a real case study of success; one in four new cars sold is now electric, and that should give us hope and confidence about what’s possible.” — Ben Nelmes, Executive Director, New Automotive

Ben Nelmes Links:
Website: https://newautomotive.org
New Automotive July BEV Sales Report: https://newautomotive.org/ecc
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennelmes?

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The Electric Evolution Podcast is proudly produced by Podforge, helping purpose-driven voices be heard.

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Episode 153: Liz Allan and Ben Thorp - Building Trust and Smarter Destination Charging.

Liz Allan is joined by Ben Thorp, EV Charging Specialist at Ratio EV. Ben shares his journey from working in solar and battery systems in Australia to helping shape the UK’s destination charging landscape. With a passion for sustainability, partnership, and circularity in manufacturing, Ben explains how Ratio EV designs and builds AC charge points for homes, businesses, and public destinations, always with the customer in mind.

Liz and Ben discuss the importance of trusted installer networks, why “big isn’t always better” in EV charging, and how proactive maintenance, dynamic load balancing, and flexible back-office integration make a real difference. They explore the value of destination charging for hotels, workplaces, and leisure venues, and how this approach can deliver both driver convenience and business benefits.

Ben Thorp Bio:
Ben Thorp is an EV industry professional with a unique career path that spans continents and technologies. After starting out in Chester, Ben spent several years in Australia working with a solar and battery storage start-up, where he developed a deep understanding of renewable energy systems. Since returning to the UK, he has been instrumental in growing Ratio EV’s presence, focusing on AC charging solutions for homes, workplaces, and destinations. Known for his open, collaborative approach, Ben works closely with installers and Charge Point Operators to deliver reliable, sustainable, and easy-to-maintain charging infrastructure, manufactured locally with circularity at its core.

Quote of the Episode
"The key to great EV charging is trust; between manufacturers, installers, and drivers. Without it, everything else falls down." — Ben Thorp.

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode of Electric Evolution, please take a moment to leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us improve and enables more people to discover valuable insights from our amazing guests.

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The Electric Evolution Podcast is proudly produced by Podforge, helping purpose-driven voices be heard.

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Episode 152: Liz Allan and Suki Sangha - Beyond the Plug: How Virta is Reimagining EV Charging.

We’re really grateful and excited to have Virta as the sponsor for this episode of Electric Evolution. Virta is helping to shape the future of EV charging through smart, connected, and flexible solutions across Europe.

For the 152nd episode of Electric Evolution, Liz Allan is joined by Suki Sangha, Sales Lead (UK & Ireland) at Virta, one of Europe’s leading smart charging platforms. Together, they explore how EV charging is evolving from a simple plug-in solution to a vital part of the wider energy and digital ecosystem.

Suki shares powerful insights into why it’s time to move beyond siloed infrastructure thinking and start seeing EV charging as a dynamic, intelligent service. Liz and Suki also discuss the importance of collaboration across the energy landscape, why the UK has a key role to play in global EV progress, and how platforms like Virta are enabling new business models and grid resilience through smarter technology.

Suki Sangha Bio:
Suki Sangha is the Sales Lead for the UK and Ireland at Virta, bringing a unique perspective shaped by his early career in the hospitality industry. With a natural focus on service, people, and customer experience, Suki has carried those values into the world of EV charging, helping organisations embrace smarter, more connected infrastructure. His commercial insight and passion for innovation now support businesses, developers, and energy providers across the UK as they navigate the shift to electrified transport and integrated energy systems.

Quote of the Episode:
"Customer experience should never be an afterthought; it needs to be part of the design from day one.” — Suki Sangha, Virta

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode of Electric Evolution, please take a moment to leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us improve and enables more people to discover valuable insights from our amazing guests.

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The Electric Evolution Podcast is proudly produced by Podforge, helping purpose-driven voices be heard.

Links for Full Circle CI:
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Episode 151: Liz Allan and Gemma Robinson - Transforming EV Infrastructure Across Scotland’s Highlands and Islands.
Liz Allan speaks to Gemma Robinson, EV Project Manager at HITRANS (Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership), to explore the fascinating journey from Scotland's pioneering Charge Place Scotland network to the future of EV infrastructure in remote communities.

They discuss the unique challenges of building reliable charging networks in some of the UK's most remote locations, where geography, connectivity issues, and high energy costs create complex obstacles. They also explore the maintenance challenges facing the current Charge Place Scotland network, the collaborative approach HITRANS is taking with councils across Scotland's islands and Highlands, and how Full Circle CI's maintenance deep dive methodology transformed instinctive concerns into actionable data, enabling productive conversations with service providers and a roadmap for improvement. Gemma and Liz provide valuable insights for any local authority navigating the EV infrastructure transition, as well as how lessons learned can benefit councils across the UK who are just beginning their EV infrastructure journey.

Quote of the Episode:
"I would like a bigger voice for some of the rural and remote communities and a recognition that they need to do things differently for it to work in their communities. And I would also like to have the opportunity to make the choices that protect that nature for the future." - Gemma Robinson.

Gemma Robinson Bio:
Gemma Robinson is the EV Project Manager at HITRANS, where she leads EV infrastructure strategy development for four Scottish councils, including Shetland, Western Isles, and Argyll and Bute, through the EVIF program. Her remarkable career path took her from product design graduate to primary school teacher specialising in special educational needs, then to co-founding Highland Teepees, a successful event business she ran for seven years across Scotland's private estates. After selling the company and briefly relocating to Yorkshire, Gemma returned to Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic and transitioned into transport, bringing her project management expertise to the challenge of coordinating charging network development across Scotland's most remote communities.

Gemma Robinson Links:
HITRANS Website:

Support the show

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The Electric Evolution Podcast is proudly produced by Podforge, helping purpose-driven voices be heard.

Links for Full Circle CI:
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Episode 150: Liz Allan and Dev Chana - Learning, Listening and Leading the Next Era of EV Charging.

A massive thank you to E.ON Drive Infrastructure (Edri) for sponsoring this landmark 150th episode, and for making history with us as the very first face-to-face recording of the Electric Evolution Podcast.

Liz Allan speaks to Dev Chana, Managing Director of Edri to explore how the company is applying lessons from the sector to create a smarter, more customer-focused EV charging network. From ultra-rapid charging and site selection to megawatt-ready hardware, they discuss what it truly means to build infrastructure for tomorrow.

Dev Chana Bio:
Dev Chana is the Managing Director of E.ON Drive Infrastructure in the UK. With a career spanning energy trading, large-scale engineering, and clean tech startups, Dev brings a rare depth of experience to the EV infrastructure sector. His leadership at Edri is defined by a strong belief in learning from what hasn’t worked, embracing transparency, and delivering meaningful, long-term solutions for drivers. He is passionate about creating an EV charging experience that is as seamless, affordable, and accessible as possible.

Quote of the episode:
“We ask ourselves every time: are we building the network for today, or the network for tomorrow?”
Dev Chana, Managing Director, E.ON Drive Infrastructure.

Dev Chana Links:
Website: https://www.edri.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dev-chana-1228b94?
Edri LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eon-drive-infrastructure

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode of Electric Evolution, please take a moment to leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us improve and enables more people to discover valuable insights from our amazing guests.

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The Electric Evolution Podcast is proudly produced by Podforge, helping purpose-driven voices be heard.

Links for Full Circle CI:
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Episode 149: Liz Allan and Mark Potter – Driving on Sunshine: Inside 3ti’s Journey and Smart EV Charging Solutions.

It’s such a pleasure to have this episode of Electric Evolution sponsored by 3ti, known for “driving on sunshine” by combining solar, storage, and EV charging to deliver cleaner, smarter infrastructure with reduced reliance on the grid.

In this special episode, Liz Allan speaks to Mark Potter, CTO of 3ti, for an inspiring conversation about the future of EV charging infrastructure.
They discuss the potential within our energy infrastructure. Mark shares how 3ti is transforming the way we think about EV charging by making it faster, fairer, and more accessible than ever before.
Learn how the Papilio 3 system can be deployed in just hours, and discover how your EV could become an asset in the energy transition through vehicle-to-grid technology.

Quote of the episode:
"Every single electric vehicle that is capable of CCS or CHAdeMO DC charging could be a bi-directional vehicle. The only thing that stops all of those CCS vehicles from being bi-directional charging capable right now is software." - Mark Potter.

Mark Potter Bio:
Mark Potter is the CTO at 3Ti, bringing over two decades of engineering expertise to the energy infrastructure sector. His career began in aerospace at BAE Systems, where he worked on flight safety-critical control systems and avionics for aircraft, including the Tornado. He then spent 13.5 years in the EV industry at Protean Electric, developing cutting-edge in-wheel motor technology and EV retrofit solutions long before Tesla became mainstream.
Mark's passion extends beyond his professional work; he's a qualified civilian gliding instructor and former Scout leader, embodying the motto "to teach is to learn." His deep technical knowledge spans batteries, inverters, charging standards, and energy management systems, making him one of the UK's leading voices on bi-directional charging and DC microgrids.

Mark Potter and 3ti Links:
Website: https://3ti.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3tienergyhubs
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@3tievsolarcarparks801
LinkedIn: https://www.linked

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode of Electric Evolution, please take a moment to leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us improve and enables more people to discover valuable insights from our amazing guests.

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The Electric Evolution Podcast is proudly produced by Podforge, helping purpose-driven voices be heard.

Links for Full Circle CI:
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We love hearing from you! After listening to an episode, if you’d like to share a comment or ask a question, just click here to send us your message.

Episode 148: Liz Allan and Simon Allan - The EV Test Drive Experience: What Dealerships Must Get Right.

Liz Allan is joined by Simon Allan, a seasoned motor trade professional with over 21 years in dealership roles, including at Renault, Mini, and BMW. Together, they delve into what it truly takes to support EV adoption at the showroom level, and why the test drive isn’t just about selling a car, but also about re-educating a driver.

From explaining regenerative braking and the absence of engine noise to addressing concerns of first-time automatic drivers and debunking public charging misconceptions, Simon shares why empathy, patience, and preparation are non-negotiable. He outlines why salespeople need to slow things down, ditch the jargon, and ask better questions, like whether the customer has off-street parking or understands how EV charging works.

They also explore the impact of retro-styled EVs, such as the Renault 5, on winning over petrolheads, and how sales teams can raise the bar to meet the expectations of today’s EV-curious drivers.

Quote of the Episode
“When you're selling an EV, you're not just selling a car, you’re often un-teaching 20 years of driving habits. Empathy and patience make all the difference.”
— Simon Allan

Simon Allan Link:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonallan1414

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode of Electric Evolution, please take a moment to leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us improve and enables more people to discover valuable insights from our amazing guests.

Click the link below to find out how to add a review on Apple or Spotify
https://bit.ly/4dtiMJK

The Electric Evolution Podcast is proudly produced by Podforge, helping purpose-driven voices be heard.

Links for Full Circle CI:
Visit our website: https://fullcircleci.co.uk/podcasts

Electric Evolution LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/electric-evolution-podcast

Support our podcast here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/electricevolutionpodcast

We love hearing from you! After listening to an episode, if you’d like to share a comment or ask a question, just click here to send us your message.

Episode 147: Liz Allan and Peter Clutton-Brock - Unlocking the Grid: Smarter Data for a Faster Net Zero Transition.

Liz Allan is joined by Pete Clutton-Brock, CEO of Yottar, to explore one of the biggest obstacles in our journey to net zero: grid capacity.

With a background spanning UK government departments, global tech giants, and cutting-edge climate tech, Pete has a rare perspective on how to unlock cleaner, smarter energy systems. He explains how Yottar uses data to map out available grid capacity, helping Charge Point Operators, the NHS, and other organisations to identify viable connection points for EV chargers, batteries, solar farms, and more.

Liz and Pete discuss the growing grid constraints facing the electrification of transport, heat, and power, and why misinformation around grid resilience is dangerous. They also discuss the role AI can play in accelerating clean infrastructure and why better data (not just more of it) is essential for planning and equity. From zombie grid applications, political resistance, and pylons, they discuss tangible solutions to one of the UK’s most pressing net zero challenges.

Quote of the Episode:
"We’re going through an electrification supercycle, but grid congestion isn’t uniform. If we can guide developers to underused parts of the network, we can avoid unnecessary upgrades and unlock net zero faster."
— Pete Clutton-Brock

Peter Clutton-Brock Bio:
Pete Clutton-Brock has spent nearly two decades working across energy, data, and climate strategy. He began his career shaping policy within the UK government, with roles at the Department for Energy and Climate Change, HM Treasury, and the Department for International Development. He later moved into consultancy, advising major tech companies such as Google and Amazon on their sustainability and energy plans. Pete’s interest in applying data science to environmental challenges led him to co-found the Centre for AI and Climate, bringing together machine learning experts to explore real-world climate solutions. Today, as CEO and Co-Founder of Yottar, he’s focused on making grid data more accessible, helping accelerate the rollout of clean energy infrastructure across the UK.

Peter Clutton-Brock Links:
Website: https://www.yottar.tech
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedi

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode of Electric Evolution, please take a moment to leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us improve and enables more people to discover valuable insights from our amazing guests.

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The Electric Evolution Podcast is proudly produced by Podforge, helping purpose-driven voices be heard.

Links for Full Circle CI:
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Electric Evolution LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/electric-evolution-podcast

Support our podcast here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/electricevolutionpodcast