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.

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers, helping you find and pay for public charging with confidence.

Links in the show notes:

• 41 EVs Did A 620-Mile Winter Trip. Here’s How Much Time They Took - Cool Thing

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

(C) 2019-2026 Gary Comerford

Support me:

Patreon Link: http://www.patreon.com/evmusings

Ko-fi Link: http://www.ko-fi.com/evmusings 

The Books:

'So, you've gone electric?' on Amazon : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q5JVF1X

'So, you've gone renewable?’ on Amazon : https://amzn.to/3LXvIck

Social Media:

EVMusings: Twitter https://twitter.com/MusingsEv

Instagram: @EVmusings

Octopus Energy referral code (Click this link to get started) https://share.octopus.energy/neat-star-460

Upgrade to smarter EV driving with a free week's trial of Zapmap Premium, find out more here https://evmusings.com/zapmap-premium

Mentioned in this episode:

The T and E Webinar

As the public charging infrastructure matures, access to accurate, comprehensive data is critical to helping the industry achieve profitability.

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

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers, helping you find and pay for public charging with confidence.

Links in the show notes:

• Ember Buses - Cool Thing

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

(C) 2019-2026 Gary Comerford

Support me:

Patreon Link: http://www.patreon.com/evmusings

Ko-fi Link: http://www.ko-fi.com/evmusings 

The Books:

'So, you've gone electric?' on Amazon : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q5JVF1X

'So, you've gone renewable?’ on Amazon : https://amzn.to/3LXvIck

Social Media:

EVMusings: Twitter https://twitter.com/MusingsEv

Instagram: @EVmusings

Octopus Energy referral code (Click this link to get started) https://share.octopus.energy/neat-star-460

Upgrade to smarter EV driving with a free week's trial of Zapmap Premium, find out more here https://evmusings.com/zapmap-premium

Mentioned in this episode:

Zapmap

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers in the UK, which helps EV drivers search, plan, and pay for their charging. Zapmap is free to download and use, with Zapmap Premium providing enhanced features which include using Zapmap in-car on CarPlay or Android Auto and help with charging costs with both a pricing filter and 5% discount*"

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:

Tom Middleditch - An experienced marketing and product development leader, Tom has been in the mobility sector for more than 15 years, and has worked for a number of brands in the leisure and business travel space. He joined Europcar in 2015, and today leads the B2B marketing activities. With a passion for greener motoring, in Summer 2023 he was appointed as Head of Electric Mobility. In particular, Tom’s focus has been on widening awareness of the role vehicle rental can play in helping businesses and individuals reduce their environmental impact – whether that be changing attitudes to vehicle ownership or driving electric. Dispelling the myths around electric motoring is a central objective of this activity. His contributions to the industry were recognised when he was named an EV Champion at the 2023 GreenFleet Awards.

Tom's Website

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers, helping you find and pay for public charging with confidence.

Links in the show notes:

• Electric Car Hire in Oxfordshire - Zimbl
• Nottingham gets next batch of electric buses - Cool Thing
• Europcar EV Guide

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

(C) 2019-2026 Gary Comerford

Support me:

Patreon Link: http://www.patreon.com/evmusings

Ko-fi Link: http://www.ko-fi.com/evmusings 

The Books:

'So, you've gone electric?' on Amazon : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q5JVF1X

'So, you've gone renewable?’ on Amazon : https://amzn.to/3LXvIck

Social Media:

EVMusings: Twitter https://twitter.com/MusingsEv

Instagram: @EVmusings

Octopus Energy referral code (Click this link to get started) https://share.octopus.energy/neat-star-460

Upgrade to smarter EV driving with a free week's trial of Zapmap Premium, find out more here https://evmusings.com/zapmap-premium

Mentioned in this episode:

Zapmap

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers in the UK, which helps EV drivers search, plan, and pay for their charging. Zapmap is free to download and use, with Zapmap Premium providing enhanced features which include using Zapmap in-car on CarPlay or Android Auto and help with charging costs with both a pricing filter and 5% discount*"

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

@nievowners on Instagram

Mark's Website

Mark on YouTube

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers, helping you find and pay for public charging with confidence.

Links in the show notes:

• First 100% Green Corridor Between Spain & Morocco — Two 100% Electric "Fast Ferries" - CleanTechnica - Cool thing
• The DfI discuss pavement crossings

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

(C) 2019-2026 Gary Comerford

Support me:

Patreon Link: http://www.patreon.com/evmusings

Ko-fi Link: http://www.ko-fi.com/evmusings 

The Books:

'So, you've gone electric?' on Amazon : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q5JVF1X

'So, you've gone renewable?’ on Amazon : https://amzn.to/3LXvIck

Social Media:

EVMusings: Twitter https://twitter.com/MusingsEv

Instagram: @EVmusings

Octopus Energy referral code (Click this link to get started) https://share.octopus.energy/neat-star-460

Upgrade to smarter EV driving with a free week's trial of Zapmap Premium, find out more here https://evmusings.com/zapmap-premium

Mentioned in this episode:

Zapmap

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers in the UK, which helps EV drivers search, plan, and pay for their charging. Zapmap is free to download and use, with Zapmap Premium providing enhanced features which include using Zapmap in-car on CarPlay or Android Auto and help with charging costs with both a pricing filter and 5% discount*"

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.

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers, helping you find and pay for public charging with confidence.

Links in the show notes:

• Renault E-Tech T semi truck gets 600 km range for 2025 - Cool Thing

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

(C) 2019-2026 Gary Comerford

Support me:

Patreon Link: http://www.patreon.com/evmusings

Ko-fi Link: http://www.ko-fi.com/evmusings 

The Books:

'So, you've gone electric?' on Amazon : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q5JVF1X

'So, you've gone renewable?’ on Amazon : https://amzn.to/3LXvIck

Social Media:

EVMusings: Twitter https://twitter.com/MusingsEv

Instagram: @EVmusings

Octopus Energy referral code (Click this link to get started) https://share.octopus.energy/neat-star-460

Upgrade to smarter EV driving with a free week's trial of Zapmap Premium, find out more here https://evmusings.com/zapmap-premium

Mentioned in this episode:

Zapmap

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers in the UK, which helps EV drivers search, plan, and pay for their charging. Zapmap is free to download and use, with Zapmap Premium providing enhanced features which include using Zapmap in-car on CarPlay or Android Auto and help with charging costs with both a pricing filter and 5% discount*"

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 journeys when needed.

Guest Details: Adrian studied Electrical and Electronic Systems Engineering at Leeds University in the 1990s, became a Chartered Engineer with the IET in 2001, then focused his Continuous Professional Development and volunteering on practical sustainability solutions and cleaner tech.

Adrian has been driving fuel cars for over 30 years, hybrids for 15 and EVs for 5, now owning a BYD Dolphin.

Adrian’s own drive towards a low-carbon home includes having air to air heat pumps installed in 2008, home Solar PV in 2015, battery storage, IR heating, and investing in Ripple’s first cooperative owned windfarms and solar-farm.

Adrian lives in Colchester with his wife and son, and is an Admin for the Colchester Electric Vehicle Society. Adrian also started working with the Colchester Clean Air Campaign after his son was hospitalised due to a severe asthma attack when aged 8, that the Hospital attributed to local vehicle air pollution.

Adrian's Facebook group

@Tytalus7 on X

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers, helping you find and pay for public charging with confidence.

Links in the show notes:

• Fossil-free jobsite hits 50% EVs with new Volvo wheel loader - Cool Thing

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

(C) 2019-2026 Gary Comerford

Support me:

Patreon Link: http://www.patreon.com/evmusings

Ko-fi Link: http://www.ko-fi.com/evmusings 

The Books:

'So, you've gone electric?' on Amazon : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q5JVF1X

'So, you've gone renewable?’ on Amazon : https://amzn.to/3LXvIck

Social Media:

EVMusings: Twitter https://twitter.com/MusingsEv

Instagram: @EVmusings

Octopus Energy referral code (Click this link to get started) https://share.octopus.energy/neat-star-460

Upgrade to smarter EV driving with a free week's trial of Zapmap Premium, find out more here https://evmusings.com/zapmap-premium

Mentioned in this episode:

Zapmap

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers in the UK, which helps EV drivers search, plan, and pay for their charging. Zapmap is free to download and use, with Zapmap Premium providing enhanced features which include using Zapmap in-car on CarPlay or Android Auto and help with charging costs with both a pricing filter and 5% discount*"

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

Vicky's Website

@vledmonds79 on X

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers, helping you find and pay for public charging with confidence.

Links in the show notes:

• Understanding Vehicle Excise Duty for Electric Vehicles - The EV Musings Podcast
• EVA England | The Voice for EV Drivers : EVA England

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

(C) 2019-2026 Gary Comerford

Support me:

Patreon Link: http://www.patreon.com/evmusings

Ko-fi Link: http://www.ko-fi.com/evmusings 

The Books:

'So, you've gone electric?' on Amazon : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q5JVF1X

'So, you've gone renewable?’ on Amazon : https://amzn.to/3LXvIck

Social Media:

EVMusings: Twitter https://twitter.com/MusingsEv

Instagram: @EVmusings

Octopus Energy referral code (Click this link to get started) https://share.octopus.energy/neat-star-460

Upgrade to smarter EV driving with a free week's trial of Zapmap Premium, find out more here https://evmusings.com/zapmap-premium

Mentioned in this episode:

Zapmap

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers in the UK, which helps EV drivers search, plan, and pay for their charging. Zapmap is free to download and use, with Zapmap Premium providing enhanced features which include using Zapmap in-car on CarPlay or Android Auto and help with charging costs with both a pricing filter and 5% discount*"

Zapmap - The Charge

Every month or so, Melanie Shufflebotham and Jade Edwards at Zapmap take a whistle-stop tour of the latest public charging installation insights, focus on a specific charging topic and highlight interesting charging news and foresight.

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?

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers, helping you find and pay for public charging with confidence.

Links in the show notes:

• Alpitronic - Cool thing (Gary)
• Welcome to the eSkootr Championship - Cool thing (Jess)
• Renault 5 EV Review - Cool thing (Shane)

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

(C) 2019-2026 Gary Comerford

Support me:

Patreon Link: http://www.patreon.com/evmusings

Ko-fi Link: http://www.ko-fi.com/evmusings 

The Books:

'So, you've gone electric?' on Amazon : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q5JVF1X

'So, you've gone renewable?’ on Amazon : https://amzn.to/3LXvIck

Social Media:

EVMusings: Twitter https://twitter.com/MusingsEv

Instagram: @EVmusings

Octopus Energy referral code (Click this link to get started) https://share.octopus.energy/neat-star-460

Upgrade to smarter EV driving with a free week's trial of Zapmap Premium, find out more here https://evmusings.com/zapmap-premium

Mentioned in this episode:

Zap Pay

Zapmap, about Zap-Pay - your simple and convenient way to pay for EV charging.

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

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers, helping you find and pay for public charging with confidence.

Links in the show notes:

• Pope Francis receives first electric G-Class “Popemobile” from Mercedes-Benz - Cool Thing
• Episode 89 - Matthew Adams: Powering the Future of EV Policy | The EV Café

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

(C) 2019-2026 Gary Comerford

Support me:

Patreon Link: http://www.patreon.com/evmusings

Ko-fi Link: http://www.ko-fi.com/evmusings 

The Books:

'So, you've gone electric?' on Amazon : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q5JVF1X

'So, you've gone renewable?’ on Amazon : https://amzn.to/3LXvIck

Social Media:

EVMusings: Twitter https://twitter.com/MusingsEv

Instagram: @EVmusings

Octopus Energy referral code (Click this link to get started) https://share.octopus.energy/neat-star-460

Upgrade to smarter EV driving with a free week's trial of Zapmap Premium, find out more here https://evmusings.com/zapmap-premium

Mentioned in this episode:

Zap Pay

Zapmap, about Zap-Pay - your simple and convenient way to pay for EV charging.

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.

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers, helping you find and pay for public charging with confidence.

Links in the show notes:

• Volkswagen launches bidirectional charging in Switzerland - electrive.com - Cool thing

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

(C) 2019-2026 Gary Comerford

Support me:

Patreon Link: http://www.patreon.com/evmusings

Ko-fi Link: http://www.ko-fi.com/evmusings 

The Books:

'So, you've gone electric?' on Amazon : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q5JVF1X

'So, you've gone renewable?’ on Amazon : https://amzn.to/3LXvIck

Social Media:

EVMusings: Twitter https://twitter.com/MusingsEv

Instagram: @EVmusings

Octopus Energy referral code (Click this link to get started) https://share.octopus.energy/neat-star-460

Upgrade to smarter EV driving with a free week's trial of Zapmap Premium, find out more here https://evmusings.com/zapmap-premium

Mentioned in this episode:

Zap Map

The EV Musings Podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the go-to app for EV drivers in the UK, which helps EV drivers search, plan, and pay for their charging. Zapmap is free to download and use, with Zapmap Premium providing enhanced features which include using Zapmap in-car on CarPlay or Android Auto and help with charging costs with both a pricing filter and 5% discount*"