In the inaugural episode of Auto Futurecast with Chris Kirby dives deep into the electric vehicle infrastructure landscape. Hosted by Chris Kirby, CEO of Tomorrow’s Journey, with special guest Ben Boutcher-West, CTO of Connected Kerb, the conversation unpacks the challenges and opportunities in revolutionising EV adoption.  

From addressing the “driveway divide” to tackling regulatory hurdles, the episode offers sharp insights for EV enthusiasts looking to understand the present and future of charging infrastructure. Here’s a taste of what was discussed:

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Bridging the Driveway Divide  

Ben Boutcher-West introduced Connected Kerb’s mission to make EV charging accessible to all, especially for those without private driveways. With an emphasis on 7-22kW chargers designed for community spaces, Connected Kerb is working to close the accessibility gap with affordable and reliable kerbside solutions.

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Sustainability and Convenience  

The conversation highlighted how slow, overnight charging paired with transparent energy pricing creates both an eco-friendly and economically viable model for EV owners. It’s about aligning charging routines with greener energy availability to benefit both the environment and consumers.

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Funding the Future  

Ben shared exciting news about Connected Kerb’s £120 million funding success, secured through crucial partnerships with Aviva and the UK’s National Infrastructure Bank. This investment is set to add over 40,000 charge points across the UK, pushing the nation closer to its net-zero goals by 2030.

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Regulation and Innovation  

With regulations shaping the EV landscape, Ben shared how Connected Kerb is proactively meeting the UK’s latest requirements, such as enabling contactless payments. He further explored how these changes influence local authorities and infrastructure planning.

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AI’s Role in Smarter Charging  

The discussion also touched on how AI, specifically large language models (LLMs), is optimising operational efficiency in fault management. Ben painted an exciting picture of a future filled with smarter, self-learning charging platforms.

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The Road Ahead  

Despite challenges like fluctuating public perception and supply chain pressures, both Chris and Ben expressed optimism about the growth of the broader EV ecosystem. They encouraged listeners to adopt a long-term mindset, emphasising that we’re heading in the right direction.

Whether you’re an EV enthusiast or want to explore how technology is reshaping the way we think about transportation, this episode has something for everyone.  

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Don't miss out on the detailed insights into the EV revolution. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

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