The EV Musings Podcast

In this conversation, Gary Comerford and James McKemey discuss the current state of electric vehicles and the significant gaps in education and promotion surrounding them. They explore the role of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in marketing EVs, the challenges posed by misinformation, and the importance of home charging.

This discussion emphasizes the need for a comprehensive public education campaign to inform potential EV users about the benefits and realities of living with electric vehicles. They also touch on the future of charging infrastructure and the necessity of addressing public perception to facilitate wider adoption of EVs.

In Episode 270 Gary has another mid-season episode where he invites a couple of guests on and they discuss topics of interest .

In this episode we discuss:

Guests this week include:

Dr Euan McTurk is a Consultant Battery Electrochemist who has been working on - and driving - electric vehicles since 2009. Having worked on next-generation cell chemistries at the University of Oxford, developed ways to study...

In this episode of EV Musings, Gary dives into the basics of electric vehicle ownership, focusing on long-distance driving and public charging.

He emphasizes the importance of education in understanding EVs, discusses the ideal charging experience, and provides insights on planning long journeys with an EV.

The episode also covers the various charging methods and payment options available, ensuring listeners are well-equipped for their EV journey.

This season of the podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the free to download app that helps EV drivers search, plan, and pay for their charging.

L...

In this episode of EV Musings, Gary delves into the basics of electric vehicles in the second part of the EV 101 series. He discusses the importance of home charging, the delivery process of EVs, and how to drive them effectively.

The episode also covers understanding range and efficiency, providing listeners with essential knowledge for new EV owners.

Gary emphasises the need for proper charging setups and the benefits of regenerative braking, while also hinting at future topics related to public charging and long-distance travel.

This season of the podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, t...

In this episode of EV Musings, Gary introduces a series focused on the basics of electric vehicles for beginners. He discusses who should consider going electric, the various ways to acquire an EV, and the importance of test driving before making a purchase.

The episode aims to simplify the transition to electric vehicles by addressing common concerns and providing practical advice.

This is Episode 1 of a 3-part series focused on teaching the basics of EV ownership to newbies.

This season of the podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the free to download app that h...

In this episode of EV Musings, Gary explores the commonly cited concern about making emergency long-distance journeys in electric vehicles .

The discussion is prompted by a Tesla Model 3 owner considering switching to a hybrid due to fears of being unable to reach a loved one quickly in an emergency.

Gary dissects this scenario, comparing EV and fossil fuel vehicle travel times, and highlights that delays are often due to traffic, roadworks, or other unpredictable events—not EV charging.

He argues that the emergency journey concern is largely a red herring and that EVs ar...

In this episode Gary covers a topic of great concern to many new EV drivers: the range of their car. We've been sold EVs with phenomenal ranges by dealers, OEMs, and general advertising. But, in reality, these rarely materialise, with lower-than advertised ranges compounded by a further reduction in winter when the weather is cooler.

We look at the WLTP range, what it means and how it's calculated; factors that affect your range; how to calculate what your actual range is; and why efficiency is more important than range

This season of the podcast is...

In this episode, Gary Comerford interviews Sara Ridley, Engineering and Quality Director at Autocraft Solutions, about the remanufacturing and repair of electric vehicle batteries.

They discuss the importance of battery health, common misconceptions about EV batteries, and the challenges faced in the repair ecosystem. Sara emphasizes the need for education and skills development in the EV repair industry, highlighting the environmental benefits of repairing rather than replacing batteries.

The conversation also touches on the future of battery technology and the importance of building a robust repair ecosystem to support the growing EV market.

...

In this episode Gary explores the lack of canopies at electric vehicle charging hubs across the UK.

Despite the presence of canopies at traditional petrol stations, many EV charging sites—especially newly built hubs—lack this basic weather protection.

Gary examines various Charge Point Operators (CPOs) like BP Pulse, Shell, Instavolt, Gridserve, and Fastned, highlighting inconsistencies in canopy installation. He discusses the practical implications for users, especially in adverse weather, and presents arguments from CPOs regarding cost, planning, and customer demand.

The episode concludes with a call for listener feedback on whether canopies shou...

In this episode Gary talks with Justin Lunny from Everrati, who are making quite a splash in the high-end bespoke electric 'conversions' of classic cars.

With Land Rovers, GT40s, Mercedes Pagodas and Gary's favourite, the 911 964 model there's more than meets the eye to these vehicles.

Guest Details: Justin Lunny is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor and innovator with over 30 years of experience across fintech, automotive, education, and sustainability. He has co-founded and scaled multiple startups globally, with a focus on strategy, international growth and strategic partnerships. As Founder & CEO of Everrati Automotive, Justin leads the...

In this episode of EV Musings, Gary explores the true cost of home EV charging, challenging the commonly held belief that charging at home is significantly cheaper than public charging.

He discusses various electricity tariffs, including time-of-day and fixed-rate options, and explains how these rates are often subsidized and may not be sustainable long-term.

Gary also introduces a method for calculating the real cost per kilowatt hour of home charging by factoring in household expenses, amortized charger costs, and standard electricity rates.

He emphasises the importance of comparing like-for-like when evaluating home versus...

In our end of season round table episode my three guests each discuss a topic of interest.

The topics under discussion are:

And I will be asking the question: Charger booking. Do we need this?

Guests:

In this episode Gary answers some listener question on topics as diverse as:

We also discuss a semi-philosophical question : Why do some public chargers want you to plug in before authenticating for payment and others want you to authenticate for payment before plugging in?

This season of the podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the free to download app that helps EV drivers search, plan, and pay for their charging.

L...

In this episode of EV Musings, Gary Comerford explores the concept of roaming in electric vehicle charging, discussing its definition, importance, and the current landscape of roaming operators in the UK.

He highlights the benefits and challenges of roaming services, including interoperability, user convenience, and data privacy concerns.

The conversation also touches on the future of roaming and its potential impact on electric vehicle adoption and green transportation goals.

We also hear from podcast sponsors Zapmap as Melanie Shufflebotham explains how roaming operators such as Zap-Pay operate in the market.

This...

In this episode of EV Musings, Gary interviews John Fairley, Managing Director of AW Energy, to explore how the company offers ultra-rapid EV charging at just 39p/kWh—significantly below the UK average.

The discussion covers AW Energy’s history, its integration of renewable energy with EV infrastructure, and the Checkley Wood site, where a wind turbine directly powers EV chargers.

They also discuss the scalability of this model, future plans for commercial and HGV charging, and the broader implications for renewable energy in the UK.

Guest Details:

John Fairlie : John's Webs...

In this episode of EV Musings, Gary explores the electrification of vehicle fleets, focusing on the challenges and innovations in transitioning from combustion to electric vehicles.

The discussion includes insights from Russ Boulton of Ayvens and Roel Visser of Milence, covering both light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

Key topics include depot vs. home charging, driver education, reimbursement models, infrastructure limitations, and the future of megawatt charging for trucks. The episode emphasizes the importance of tailored solutions, data-driven decision-making, and the role of government policy in supporting fleet electrification.

Guest...

In this episode, Gary looks at the newest issue hitting EV drivers and Charge Point Operators: Cable theft. What is it and how can we stop it?

This season of the podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the free to download app that helps EV drivers search, plan, and pay for their charging.

Links in the show notes:

Episode produced by Arran Sheppard at Urban Podcasts: https://www.urbanpodcasts.co.uk

(C) 2019-2...

In this episode of EV Musings, host Gary dives deep into the concept of "plug and charge" for electric vehicles. He explains how Tesla has mastered this seamless charging experience and why other networks are struggling to implement it. Gary discusses the technical, operational, and logistical challenges that prevent widespread adoption, including the need for standardized hardware, software, payment systems, and backend support. He also highlights the efforts of companies like Hubject in creating global standards and the cautious approach of UK charge point operators toward adopting plug and charge.

This season of the podcast is sponsored...

In this episode of EV Musings, host Gary explores the misconception that faster rapid chargers automatically result in faster EV charging. He discusses how various factors—such as vehicle compatibility, battery temperature, and charger infrastructure—impact actual charging speeds.

Guest Russ Boulton shares real-world insights about charger misuse, where EV drivers often occupy ultra-rapid chargers their vehicles can't fully utilize. The episode emphasizes the importance of education, app optimization, and better infrastructure planning to improve the EV charging experience and reduce unnecessary queues.

This season of the podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the free to downl...

This episode of EV Musings explores the practicalities and economics of living with an electric vehicle without access to a home charger.

Gary chats with Bob Murphy, a technical executive in EV infrastructure, who shares his experience of driving a Kia Soul EV while relying solely on public and workplace charging. Over a month, Bob tracked his charging habits and costs, revealing that with thoughtful planning and strategic use of available infrastructure, it's possible to keep EV running costs comparable to or even lower than those of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

The discussion covers...

In this episode of EV Musings, host Gary explores the challenges and solutions for electric vehicle owners who do not have access to home charging.

This is the first part of a two-part series, focusing on the various charging options available, their pros and cons, and cost implications.

Gary discusses public charging, street charging, shared charging, and innovative solutions for apartment dwellers and those without off-street parking. He also highlights the importance of adapting habits and leveraging technology to make EV ownership feasible without a home charger.

This season of the podcast is...

In episode 250 of the show, Gary hosts a mid-season roundtable with guests Charlie Gilbert from Field Dynamics and Liz Allan from Full Circle Continuous Improvement.

The discussion centres on three key areas: strategic EV charger placement, the EV charging customer experience, and public charging speeds.

Charlie emphasises the importance of data-driven decisions in charger deployment, especially in rural areas, while Liz highlights the need for a seamless and reliable customer experience.

The panel also explores the misconceptions around charging speeds and the need for better user education and infrastructure planning.

Guest...

In this episode of EV Musings, Gary interviews Andreas Atkins, the UK and Ireland country manager for Ionity, about the company's charging network expansion, pricing strategy, and accessibility.

The discussion covers Ionity's rollout plans, the challenges of site selection and power availability, and the controversy surrounding their pricing model.

The episode also explores Ionity's partnerships with Village Hotels and their approach to urban charging hubs.

Guest Details:

Andreas Atkins - Andreas's Website

This season of the podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the free to download app that helps EV d...

This episode of the podcast explores the rising cost of electric vehicle insurance premiums. Gary is joined by insurance expert Steven Williams to discuss the factors influencing these increases, including inflation, repair costs, and the evolving nature of vehicle technology.

They also examine the role of telematics, the impact of software updates on insurance pricing, and potential innovations in EV insurance.

The conversation highlights the challenges insurers face in pricing EV policies accurately and the opportunities for drivers to reduce their premiums through better driving habits and negotiation.

Guest Details:

Steven...

This episode of EV Musings explores the reasons why some electric vehicle owners switch back to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars.

Gary discusses misconceptions about EVs, challenges with charging infrastructure, and external factors that may force a return to petrol or diesel vehicles.

He emphasizes the importance of education in helping new EV owners adapt to the differences between EVs and ICE cars.

The episode also highlights research showing that 97% of EV owners remain satisfied with their choice, despite some challenges.

This season of the podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the f...

In this episode, Gary chats with reviewer Alex Lowe about what's out in the market in terms of new and cheap EVS.

They cover all the NCAP market segments and identifies what's recently been released alongside what's coming in the next few months.

So if you're looking for a new electric vehicle this is the episode to listen to.

Guest Details:

Alex Lowe: @alex.theinterface on Instagram

Alex's Website

Alex on YouTube

This season of the podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the free to download a...

This episode of EV Musings explores the concept of renting electric vehicles (EVs) instead of owning them. The discussion covers short-term rental services like Zimble, which offers hourly EV rentals with home delivery, and traditional rental companies like Europcar, which provide both short-term and long-term EV rental options. The episode highlights the benefits of EV rentals, including cost savings, reduced environmental impact, and the opportunity for potential EV buyers to experience driving an electric car before making a purchase.

We'll look at the big rental companies AND the smaller, more bespoke rental companies

Guest Details:<...

This episode of EV Musings explores the evolution of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Northern Ireland. Host Gary reunites with Mark McCall, chair of the EV Association of Northern Ireland, to discuss the progress made since their last conversation in 2023. They examine the state of EV adoption, improvements in the charging network, government involvement, and challenges still facing EV drivers in the region. While significant strides have been made, Northern Ireland still lags behind the rest of the UK in terms of charger availability and government support.

Guest Details: Mark McCall

Mark's Facebook group

This episode of EV Musings explores the concept of battery swapping for electric vehicles.

I discuss how battery swapping could address one of the biggest concerns of EV skeptics—charging time. The episode examines the benefits of battery swapping, such as speed and flexibility, while also highlighting the challenges, including infrastructure requirements and limited manufacturer adoption.

The discussion focuses on NIO, a Chinese EV company leading the way in battery swapping technology, and considers whether this approach could be viable in the UK market.

This season of the podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the...

In this episode of EV Musings, host Gary explores the BYD Dolphin, an affordable electric vehicle with a strong feature set. Guest Adrian Bond, an experienced EV owner, shares his insights after six months of ownership. They discuss the Dolphin’s range, charging capabilities, software updates, and practical usability.

Adrian highlights the car’s strengths, such as its spacious interior and vehicle-to-load functionality, while also pointing out minor drawbacks like the lack of a heated steering wheel and occasional software quirks. Overall, the Dolphin is positioned as a solid city car with the ability to handle longer jour...

This episode of EV Musings features an in-depth conversation with Vicky Edmonds, the new CEO of EVA England.

The discussion covers the organization's role in advocating for EV drivers, the challenges of EV adoption, and the policies needed to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. Topics include the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, the cost of charging, public misinformation about EVs, and the importance of reducing the upfront cost of EVs.

Vicky also shares her personal experiences as an EV driver and outlines her vision for EVA England's future.

Guest Details: Vicky Edmonds<...

In Episode 240 Gary chats with jess Shanhan, Alec peachey and Shayne Ress on various different topics

Jess leads a discussion on misinformation and the role of journalists. Shayne talks about the economics of public charging as a CPO. Alec talks about the role of councils in the EV infrastructure roll out.

Gary talks about whether we're actually getting the charge speeds we should be from all this new high-powered kit that's being installed.

What did you think about the guests and the topics under disscusion?

This season of the podcast is...

In the final non-round-table episode of the season, we look at the new government and what they can do.

With each guest this season I've asked them the same question "With the change in government what can the new government do to increase the uptake of EVs?"

I've collated all the answers and summarised the key themes. What I've also done is asked Matt Adams from the REA to comment on the likelihood of things happening and to discuss what the REA are currently doing in the governmental realm.

Matt Adams: Matt's Website<...

This episode of EV Musings explores the history, evolution, and current state of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) in the UK, with a focus on its implications for electric vehicles.

The discussion covers the origins of VED, its transition from engine size-based taxation to emissions-based bands, and the recent changes introduced in the 2024 budget.

This episode also examines how these changes impact EV owners, particularly regarding costs for vehicles under and over £40,000. Additionally, it highlights the broader implications for leasing and the potential future of VED as EV adoption grows.

This season of the p...

This episode of EV Musings reflects on five years of podcasting about electric vehicles and renewable energy.

Gary discusses the evolution of EVs, charging infrastructure, and public perception since 2019. Topics include the growth of Chargepoint Operators (CPOs), the challenges of misinformation, and the increasing integration of EVs with renewable energy systems.

Gary also highlights key milestones in EV development, such as the rise of Tesla, the BMW i3, and the Korean EV market.

Guest Details: Alex Lowe

Alex's Website

@alex.theinterface on Instagram

Alex on YouTube

This episode of EV Musings dives into the topic of electric vehicle (EV) fires, addressing common misconceptions and providing detailed insights into the causes, risks, and methods of extinguishing such fires.

The discussion highlights several high-profile incidents, such as the Fremantle Highway and Luton Airport fires, which were falsely attributed to EVs.

The episode also explores the chemistry behind battery fires, the likelihood of EV fires compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) fires, and the various firefighting techniques used to manage EV fires, including water submersion, fire blankets, and lance systems.

This season...

This episode of EV Musings delves into the challenges and opportunities surrounding electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the United States. Despite being the birthplace of Tesla, the U.S. lags behind other countries like Norway in terms of EV uptake.

The discussion covers the complexities of the U.S. charging infrastructure, the dominance of Tesla, the role of politics in EV adoption, and the importance of education for consumers.

It touches on the potential impact of Chinese EVs on the U.S. market and the role of incentives in promoting EV adoption.

We...

In this episode of EV Musings, Gary discusses the feasibility of long-distance electric vehicle journeys, debunking common myths about range anxiety and charging infrastructure. Using personal experiences from a London to Geneva rally, Gary highlights the ease of long-distance EV travel, comparing it to fossil fuel vehicles. He also shares tips for first-time EV drivers and emphasizes the importance of education in avoiding common pitfalls.

The episode concludes with insights from Julie Ramsey, who completed a historic North Pole to South Pole EV journey, proving that range is no longer a barrier.

What are the...

Zapmap, a key player in the electric vehicle ecosystem, is the focus of this episode of EV Musings. Host Gary discusses the evolution of ZapMap, its role in simplifying public charging, and the challenges it faces as the EV market grows. The episode features Ed Walsh, Head of Product at Zapmap, who provides insights into the app's development, its future roadmap, and how it balances user needs with business goals.

The episode also touches on ZapMap's collaboration with Field Dynamics to improve data accuracy and coverage for EV infrastructure.

What are the plans for Zapmap's...

In this episode of EV Musings, Gary explores the electric vehicle market in Australia. He is joined by Sarah Aubrey, an electrification advocate, to discuss the current state of EV adoption in the country. They touch on the impact of government policies, the growth of EV sales, and the challenges faced by the Australian market.

The conversation highlights the recent shift in government incentives and the dominance of Tesla in the market.

Guest Details: Sarah Aubrey is one of Australia’s most respected electrification advocates. She is a pure force of nature when it comes to...