Electric Evolution

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 171: Liz Allan and Rolle Niemenen - The Technology Driving Trust in EV Charging.Liz Allan speaks to Rolle Nieminen, Head of Sales and Country Manager for the UK and Ireland at Kempower, to dive into the technology, strategy, and innovation shaping the next era of EV charging. From distributed power solutions and exceptional uptime to megawatt charging and the electrification of heavy transport, Rolle brings clarity and insight into what it really takes to build reliable, future-proof charging infrastructure.Rolle shares his journey from early EV adopter to co-founding EVA England, before joining Kempower, a manufacturer known for its robust, customer-focused charging systems that "just work." Together, Liz and Rolle explore why reliability matters, how drivers build confidence in public charging, and why more connectors often matter more than peak charging speeds. They also tackle the complexities of electrifying buses, ports, and EHGV fleets, including the real-world engineering needed to keep 24/7 operations running smoothly.Quote of the episode:"We want to be in the confidence-building business for customers; you should be able to plug in, walk away, and trust that the charger will do exactly what you need." Rolle NieminenRolle Niemenen Bio:Rolle Nieminen is a long-standing advocate for electric mobility with a background spanning automotive manufacturing, consumer insights, and infrastructure delivery. An early EV adopter, Rolle has spent years championing the needs of drivers, including co-founding EVA England to ensure the EV driver voice was represented in national conversations. Today, his work focuses on applying that user-first mindset to complex charging environments, from public rapid charging through to large-scale fleet, bus, and heavy-duty applications. Rolle brings a pragmatic, systems-led approach to electrification, shaped by real-world experience of what works and what does not. Rolle Niemenen LinksWebsite: https://kempower.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rolle-nieminen-63484325Support the showIf 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 170: Liz Allan and Belinda Guy - Cutting Through the Noise: Making EVs Simple for Everyone.Liz Allan speaks to Belinda Guy, founder of Belinda Automotive and a product marketing specialist who has rapidly become a recognised voice across the automotive and EV sectors.Together, they explore the human side of communication in EV adoption, why clear, jargon-free messaging matters, how companies can better understand their audiences, and the role product marketing plays in shaping trust, confidence, and buying decisions.Belinda shares her journey from secondary school teacher to automotive product marketer, discussing what she learned along the way and why she believes EV communication must be rooted in empathy, education, and real-world experience. The pair reflect on mindset shifts, misinformation, accessibility, and how to support consumers who are overwhelmed by unfamiliar language and big purchasing decisions.Quote of the episode:"If you don't understand who your product is for, how are you designing a good product? Everything starts with knowing your audience." Belinda Guy.Belinda Guy Bio:Belinda Guy is the founder of Belinda Automotive and a highly regarded product marketing specialist working across automotive, EV charging, and emerging mobility technologies. With a background spanning OEM environments, EV charging back-office systems, and consumer engagement, Belinda helps organisations understand their audiences, articulate value, and communicate more clearly. Her work focuses on simplifying complexity, strengthening product positioning and supporting commercial teams to sell with confidence. Belinda is also known for her accessible, educational social media content, where she breaks down automotive concepts for everyday drivers. Belinda Guy Links:Website: https://www.belinda-automotive.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belinda-automotiveLinktree: https://linktr.ee/belinda_automotiveSupport the showIf 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 169: Liz Allan and Craig Marsden - The Accuracy Revolution: Why EV Charging Needs a Diamond Standard.Liz Allan speaks to Craig Marsden, CEO of EVCI Global, the team pioneering accuracy testing for public EV chargers and setting the bar with their Diamond Standard accreditation.Craig shares the journey from his early EV adoption in 2013 (and never once successfully rapid-charging away from home!) through to heading up a company that’s quietly doing something transformative: proving whether EV chargers genuinely deliver the electricity drivers pay for.From the surprising gaps in metrology regulations to the real-world consequences for CPOs and EV drivers, Craig explains why accuracy matters for cost, trust, fairness, and the long-term sustainability of the UK’s charging ecosystem. Liz and Craig also talk about EVCI Global’s grant collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory, the future of regulated accuracy testing, and their upcoming “Car-E-OK” road trip, complete with charger testing and singing.Quote of the Episode:“At the end of the day, it’s about fairness, making sure drivers get what they pay for, and CPOs know exactly what their chargers are delivering.” Craig MarsdenCraig Marsden Bio:Craig Marsden is the CEO of EVCI Global, a UK company dedicated to bringing accuracy, fairness, and transparency to public EV charging. With a background in vehicle software optimisation, battery recycling, and environmental stewardship, Craig blends technical expertise with a genuine passion for fairness and sustainability. EVCI are currently working with the National Physical Laboratory to develop a national framework for EV charger accuracy, helping Charge Point Operators understand their networks and prepare for upcoming regulations. Craig is rapidly becoming one of the sector's most trusted voices on charger metrology and accountability. Craig Marsden Links:Website: https://evci-global.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-marsden-99b71112Support the showIf 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 168: Liz Allan and Shamala Gadgil -  Coventry’s Blueprint for Smarter, Accessible EV Infrastructure.Liz Allan is joined by Shamala Gadgil, Director of Decarbonising Transport Consultancy Ltd and Senior Programme Manager supporting Coventry City Council. Shamala has spent years shaping one of the UK’s most ambitious EV and transport programmes, delivering practical innovation that genuinely improves people’s lives. Together, Liz and Shamala discuss Coventry’s journey towards becoming one of the most forward-thinking transport authorities in the country, from running four Charge Point Operator contracts and delivering more than 2,300 public charging spaces since 2018 to transforming the city’s entire bus fleet into a near-fully electric operation. They discuss Coventry’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot models, the challenges of accessibility and PAS 1899 compliance, how to repurpose local-authority land to support residents without driveways, and why multimodal hubs are the future of sustainable travel. Shamala also shares her work on dynamic wireless charging, inclusive design for disabled and mobility-restricted EV drivers, and how local authorities, CPOs, manufacturers, and central government must collaborate to get this right. Shamala Gadgil Bio:Shamala Gadgil is the Director of Decarbonising Transport Consultancy Ltd and a Senior Programme Manager working with Coventry City Council. With more than 30 years’ experience as a civil engineer, and a researcher currently completing her PhD, she brings a rare combination of technical expertise, holistic thinking and innovation to the UK's transport transition. She has led Coventry’s major EV programmes, including rapid charging for taxis, extensive on-street charging schemes, and the city’s transformation into an all-electric bus City. Her work is centred on public health, accessibility, and long-term sustainability, and she plays an active national role as Chair of the Transport Technology Forum’s EV Charging Infrastructure Working Group. Quote of the Episode: “Everything that I'm doing is about improving people's lives; reducing emissions, supporting public health, and creating transport systems that work for everyone.” – Shamala GadgilShamala Gadgil Links: Coventry City Council Website: https://www.coventry.gov.ukLinkedISupport the showIf 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 167: Liz Allan and Laura Wilkes - Paua-ing Real Change in EV ChargingLiz Allan speaks to Laura Wilkes, Customer Support and Operations Manager at Paua, to explore how one of the UK's most dynamic eMobility service providers is reimagining what “powering up" really means.At the heart of Paua is a spirit of constant innovation, turning complex charging challenges into seamless, driver-friendly solutions. From Paua Access, their roaming network connecting over 69,000 chargers across the UK, to Paua Reimburse, which fairly repays fleet drivers for home charging, and Paua Share, enabling councils and depots to collaborate through shared charging infrastructure, Paua is redefining the EV experience at every level.Laura reveals how these innovations were born from real-world problems: fleets needing fairer reimbursement, councils needing shared access, and drivers needing simplicity. She also talks about Paua's newest frontier, integrating salary sacrifice charging bundles to make public charging more accessible and affordable for employees.Laura shares stories about helping fleet managers embrace EVs, the psychology behind charging habits, and her own journey to buying her first electric car, the MG4. Laura Wilkes Bio:Laura Wilkes is the Customer Support and Operations Manager at Paua, where she helps fleets and businesses make the shift to electric with confidence and clarity. With a background in customer experience and operations, Laura brings a deep understanding of both people and process, ensuring every innovation at Paua delivers real-world value.Known for her enthusiasm, empathy, and problem-solving mindset, Laura plays a key role in turning Paua’s ideas into practical tools that simplify EV charging for drivers nationwide. Her journey from marketing into sustainability reflects her passion for meaningful change and her belief that small actions and big ideas can transform how we move and power our world.Quote of the episode:“Go and test drive one. Just get behind the wheel and see if you like how it drives; that’s the starting point. Once you do, you’ll realise there’s really no difference… except it’s better.” Laura Wilkes, PauaLaura Wilkes LinksWebsite: https://www.paua.comLaura LinkedIn: https://www.liSupport the showIf 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