Auto Futurecast

In this episode of Auto Futurecast Season 2 , Chris Kirby is joined by Sarah Sloman , Global Partnerships Director at Paythru and one of the UK's leading voices in sustainable transport, to explore the future of EV charging, infrastructure and consumer adoption.  From payment anxiety and contactless charging to destination charging, consumer trust and the evolving EV ecosystem, this conversat...

Title : The State of Mobility in 2026 with Lukas Neckermann | Auto Futurecast S2E1   Description: Welcome to Season 2 of Auto Futurecast. In this episode, Chris Kirby is joined by mobility strategist and industry advisor Lukas Neckermann to discuss the state of mobility in 2026 and the trends shaping the future of automotive. From autonomous vehicles and AI to dealership transformation, fleet oper...

While the conversation around the electric vehicle (EV) revolution typically gravitates toward battery range or autonomous driving software , a significant yet often overlooked challenge remains. The physical installation of EV chargers presents a major bottleneck in infrastructure rollout. Traditional installation methods are fraught with complications. The process involves excavating trenches ,...

Ever feel like you're overpaying for car insurance based on outdated factors like your age or postcode? Traditional insurance models rely on static data and general assumptions about your risk. What if your premium was based on how you actually drive? That’s where telematics comes in, using real-time driving data to offer fairer pricing. What is Telematics? Telematics is a game-changer. Inste...

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) isn’t limited to passenger cars—it’s rapidly reshaping commercial fleets, from delivery vans to supermarket lorries. While electrifying fleets comes with challenges, it also unlocks significant opportunities. Ian Dennis, Head of EV Fleet at Zenobe, recently shared his insights on Auto Futurecast, explaining why now is the time to act. Here’s what we learne...

Charlie Cook , founder of Rightcharge , shared his journey from civil engineering graduate to climate-tech entrepreneur on Auto Futurecast .  Inspired by his passion to combat climate change , Charlie transitioned from Octopus Energy , where he launched the UK’s first EV-specific energy tariff , to building Rightcharge , a platform simplifying EV ownership. The Rightcharge Pivot Initially a home c...

The automotive industry is at a turning point, driven by Electric Vehicles (EVs) , AI advancements , and economic pressures reshaping the transport sector. Karima Haji, Managing Director at Scania Financial Services joins the latest Auto Futurecast podcast to share how Scania FS navigates these challenges while keeping customer needs front and center. Key Takeaways AI: A Tool, Not a Replacement St...

In our latest episode, we spoke with Nikki Rimmington , a strategy expert from battery cell start-up Volklec , about UK gigafactory developments. With experience at Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin , Nikki shared insights into the UK's electrification journey. We discussed challenges and opportunities in battery production, localised supply chains , and how start-ups like Volklec compete in...

After years of setbacks and overhyped promises, self-driving car revolution is quietly becoming a reality.  The latest episode of Auto Futurecast dives into this transformation, Chris and co-host Natalie Sauber, Global Ecosystems Development Director for Arcadis, were joined by Martyn Briggs, Director at Bank of America. Together, they unpack the journey of autonomous vehicles (AVs) from ambitious...

Electric vehicles are transforming the automotive landscape, but many fleet managers are hitting an unexpected roadblock: skyrocketing insurance premiums. While the long-term benefits of electrification are clear, the short-term insurance costs can be up to 25% higher than for traditional vehicles . So, what’s driving this trend?  In our latest episode Marc Spurling from Aon breaks down the comple...

Curious what goes into powering up the EV revolution? In the latest Auto Futurecast episode, we unpack the nuts and bolts of charging infrastructure with Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be. EV. Fast Facts from Our Conversation with Asif: Start-Up to Scale: Founded in 2021, Be. EV now operates across Greater Manchester, backed by £110 million from Octopus Energy Generation. Reality Check: Building charging si...

The UK automotive market is at a turning point, with electric vehicles (EVs), new retail models, and Chinese competition reshaping the landscape. Ian Plummer , Commercial Director at Auto Trader , joined Auto Futurecast to share his perspective on affordability, consumer behaviour, and how retailers can adapt in this fast-moving environment. ⚡ EV Affordability and Adoption Price gap between ICE a...

The automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation, and Lotus is navigating this shift with a distinct strategy that bridges its legacy and the future of electrification. Frederik Gollob, COO of Lotus Cars Europe , recently shared his vision on Auto Futurecast, revealing how the iconic British brand balances heritage with cutting-edge technology to serve a diverse customer base.   Lot...

The EV transition is well underway—but it’s not without turbulence.   While automakers race to innovate and new players enter the global stage, the electric vehicle (EV) landscape is increasingly clouded by confusion, mistrust, and misinformation. From viral myths about battery life to political narratives shaping public opinion, the EV sector faces challenges that go far beyond hardware and horse...

If you’re interested in how the automotive sector is adapting to changing customer needs, technological innovations, and evolving financial structures, this episode is a must-listen. Here’s an overview:   1. Jaguar Land Rover Financial Services – Leveraging Partnerships   Facilitate financing options for customers purchasing vehicles.  Ensure liquidity through wholesale financing to support their...

 In this episode of Auto Futurecast, host Chris Kirby sits down with the CEO of MHP Consulting, Bodo Philipp to explore the evolving world of digital car buying, customer experience, and the role of immersive technology in shaping the future of mobility.  From online configurators and AI-guided finance tools to Apple Vision Pro-powered virtual test drives, this conversation dives into the challeng...

Join host Chris Kirby for an unmissable episode recorded at the Asset Finance Connect Summer Conference , where innovation meets insight. This special edition dives deep into the transformative forces reshaping mobility, finance, and operations — featuring candid conversations with leading voices in the industry. Key Highlights: The Future of Electric HGVs  – Karim Haji, Managing Director at Scani...

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...

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...

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 discu...

Auto Futurecast, hosted by Chris Kirby, is back with the second episode in the new series. In association with Tomorrow’s Journey, Chris welcomes Matt Hawkins from Flexis.   The pair take a look at the innovative journey of Flexis, a groundbreaking electric vehicle OEM co-founded by Renault, Volvo and CMA CGM. They discuss how Flexis differs from traditional OEMs by creating EVs from the ground up...

In the inaugural episode of Auto Futurecast , host Chris Kirby welcomes Ben Boutcher-West, Chief Technology Officer at Connected Kerb, to explore the evolving landscape of EV charging.  From his roots in automotive giants like Bosch and Jaguar Land Rover to driving innovation at Connected Kerb, Ben shares insights into building reliable, affordable curbside charging solutions for the UK. The duo d...