S3 E3: Euan McTurk – Battery Breakthroughs: Debunking Electric Vehicle Myths

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Wicked Problems Podcast · WP – Euan McTurk

S3 E3: Euan McTurk – Battery Breakthroughs: Debunking Electric Vehicle Myths

About the episode:

Battery chemist and founder of Plug Life Television, Dr. Euan McTurk, uncovers the facts behind EV batteries, from ethical sourcing and recycling to cutting-edge technology that’s driving down costs and boosting range. Discover why EV fires are rare, how new charging methods can extend battery life, and what the latest advancements mean for the future of small, powerful, and sustainable cars.

Guest Name: Euan McTurk

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 during his PhD at the University of Oxford, developed ways to study how electric vehicle cells fail and how to stop them failing (at WMG*, University of Warwick) and built up a state-of-the-art 200 kW battery test facility in Edinburgh, Euan founded Plug Life Consulting, which provides technical, strategic and public outreach services to projects involving battery electrochemistry, electric vehicles, energy storage systems and charging infrastructure. Euan is also the creator of Plug Life Television, a YouTube channel on batteries and EVs that explains complex electrochemistry in a way that anyone can understand and busts common myths and misconceptions about electric vehicles.

*Warwick Manufacturing Group

Transcript:

S3 E3 Euan McTurk Wicked Problems Transcript Download

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Pioneering the Future of Renewable Energy: An Interview with Jordan Brompton

Introduction

In episode 1 of Series 3 of the Wicked Problems podcast, host Toby Corballis sits down with Jordan Brompton, the dynamic co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of myenergi. Their conversation offers a deep dive into Jordan’s entrepreneurial journey, the innovative strides of myenergi, and the broader implications for the renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) sectors.

From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leaders

Jordan’s story is one of serendipity and determination. Her journey into the renewable energy sector began when she met Lee Sutton, a self-taught electronics engineer with a knack for innovation. Together, they founded myenergi in 2016, but their collaboration started much earlier. Initially, they worked on a device that diverted excess solar energy to heat water, addressing a common issue for solar panel owners. This early success laid the groundwork for their future innovations.

Revolutionising Home Energy Management

myenergi’s breakthrough came with the development of the zappi, the world’s first solar EV charger. Unlike other products on the market, the zappi integrates seamlessly with home energy systems, including the eddi hot water diverter. This holistic approach allows homeowners to manage their energy consumption more efficiently, making myenergi a standout in a crowded market.

Navigating Challenges with Resilience

The path to success was fraught with challenges. An earlier business they worked at together went into insolvency, forcing Jordan and Lee to start from scratch. They invested their own money, took significant financial risks, and persevered through tough times. Their unwavering belief in the renewable energy market and their innovative products kept them moving forward.

Customer-Centric Innovation

A key factor in myenergi’s success is its customer-centric approach. Jordan emphasises the importance of creating a seamless, integrated energy solution for homeowners. This focus on the customer experience has helped myenergi build a strong brand and a loyal customer base. By prioritising the needs and preferences of their customers, myenergi has set a new standard in the industry.

The Impact of Government Policies and Market Dynamics

Jordan discusses the significant impact of government policies and market dynamics on the renewable energy sector. Initially driven by passion and purpose, myenergi’s strategy has evolved in response to external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has had to navigate changing regulations and market conditions, often requiring quick and bold decision-making.

Looking Ahead: Optimism and Caution

Despite the uncertainties, Jordan remains optimistic about the future of renewable energy and electric vehicles. She highlights the potential of smart home technology and the importance of maintaining flexibility and agility in business operations. However, she also acknowledges the challenges posed by political and economic factors, emphasising the need for consistent government policies to support the industry’s growth.

Lessons from the Journey

Jordan shares valuable lessons from her entrepreneurial journey. She stresses the importance of hiring the right people, being prepared for unexpected challenges, and balancing bold decision-making with cautious planning. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to stay true to their vision, remain adaptable, and never take success for granted.

Conclusion

Jordan Brompton’s insights provide a fascinating glimpse into the world of renewable energy and the entrepreneurial spirit driving innovation in this sector. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, customer focus, and visionary thinking in building a successful business. As the renewable energy landscape continues to evolve, myenergi’s integrated approach and commitment to sustainability position it well for future growth and impact.

For more insights and updates, visit myenergi.com or follow Jordan Brompton on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Watch Jordan’s episode here. Enjoy!

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S3 E2: Sam Clarke: Breaking World Records, Debunking Myths, and the Future of Electric Vehicle Charging.

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Wicked Problems Podcast · Sam Clarke: Breaking Records, Debunking Myths, and the Future of Electric Vehicle Charging

S3 E2: Sam Clarke: Breaking Records, Debunking Myths, and the Future of Electric Vehicle Charging.

About the episode:

EV industry pioneer Sam Clarke, a record-holding entrepreneur with over two decades in electric mobility shares his journey from importing electric motorbikes in the early 2000s to founding a zero-emissions logistics company and advising on national EV infrastructure. We discuss debunking myths around electric vehicles and explore how the concept of ‘grazing’ can reset our expectations of electric vehicle charging.

Guest Name: Sam Clarke

Sam Clarke is a life-long entrepreneur, industry advisor, EV owner/driver for over 20 years and a multiple Guinness World Record Holder for EV driving. His EV journey started back in 2002 with electric motorbikes before founding a zero-emission logistics firm (Gnewt) which he sold to John Menzies Plc in 2017. He now works on national charging infrastructure needs for GRIDSERVE in particular leading on the £100M+ Government funded (ZEHID) eHGV Electric Freightway Project. He is also a founding member of The EV Café webinar and news channel.

In 2015, Sam was a Great British Entrepreneur’s Award winner. By 2022 he was made a GreenFleet EV Champion for services to the industry and in 2024 he was voted #1 in the Motor Transport Power Players 2 list and #14 in the greenfleet.net 1 top 100 most Influential list. He also holds two Guinness World Records for the longest distances ever driven in an electric car and van on a single charge 7 (569 and 311 miles respectively).

In 2009 he founded the all-electric last-mile logistics business Gnewt which subsequently won multiple awards nationally and globally and was acquired by John Menzies Plc in 2017. During his tenure, he created the UK’s largest fully electric commercial fleet, the largest privately-owned smart charging infrastructure and UK’s most advanced private V2G (Vehicle to Grid) network. With Sam at the helm, the business was able to deliver over 10 million parcels in its first 10 years of trading 3, mainly in Central London, courtesy of a trail-blazing fully zero-emission fleet, the first of its kind anywhere in the UK.

Most recently, Sam has extended his role from Board advisor at GRIDSERVE to become their Chief Vehicle Officer 4. His role is to drive forward mass uptake of electric vehicles through the creation of a net-zero EV leasing division, commercial charging infrastructure build-outs and support the nationwide roll out of high-powered Electric Forecourts and upgrade of the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway network that resides on 85% of the service stations nationally. In 2023 he led the successful bid for a £100M+ Innovate UK Government fund (ZEHID 6) whose purpose is to roll out eHGV charging infrastructure nationwide, the second largest award ever issued by Innovate UK to private enterprise.

Sam is a high-profile member of the EV community, a regular public speaker for the industry and has previously been invited to speak at the Transport Select Committee in Westminster and at the European Commission in Brussels. He is also a founding member and Company Director/Shareholder of The EV Café Ltd 5. which is a popular webinar series discussing all aspects of EV adoption on regular weekly and monthly sessions. The EV Café has a number of high-profile sectoral sponsors including companies such as, but not limited to, The AA, Europcar, Bridgestone and Webfleet.

Transcript:

S3 E2 Sam Clarke Wicked Problems Transcript Download

Links:

LinkedIn: Sam Clarke

www.gridserve.com

I hope you enjoy the show and if you have any comments or suggestions, please write to me at: [email protected].

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