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Episode 142: Liz Allan and Kirsty Pendleton - Fleet Electrification, Customer Care, and Data Insights at the AA.

Liz Allan chats with Kirsty Pendleton, Head of B2B Marketing at the AA, about how the iconic motoring organisation is evolving to meet the challenges of an electric future.

With 25 years at the AA under her belt, Kirsty shares how the business has continually adapted, from classic roadside recovery to pioneering support for EV charge point operators. Discover how the AA’s deep-rooted values of “courtesy and care” are being channelled into new services like EV customer support lines, second-line technician response for faulty chargers, and predictive vehicle maintenance powered by AI.

Liz and Kirsty delve into the power of storytelling in marketing, the public’s lingering misconceptions about EVs, and the importance of proactive, data-driven support for drivers and fleets. Kirsty also lifts the lid on the AA’s role in initiatives like the Greenfleet rallies and their support of Guinness World Record-breaking EV journeys.

Kirsty Pendleto Bio:
Kirsty Pendleton is Head of B2B Marketing at the AA, where she has worked for an incredible 25 years. With a background in brand, education, and theatre marketing, Kirsty is a passionate advocate for customer experience, innovation, and the human side of the EV transition. She plays a key role in shaping how the AA supports drivers, fleets, and Charge Point Operators as the automotive world embraces electrification. Kirsty is also a proud EV Champion Award recipient and a regular presence at industry events like Greenfleet and Everything Electric.

Quote of the Episode:
“There’s something so reassuring about seeing that yellow AA van come over the horizon, you just know you’re in safe hands.”
— Kirsty Pendleton

Kirsty Pendleton Links:
Website: https://www.theaa.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsty-pendleton-35818a60

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode of Electric Evolution, please take a moment to leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us improve and enables more people to discover valuable insights from our amazing guests.

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The Electric Evolution Podcast is proudly produced by Podforge, helping purpose-driven voices be heard.

Links for Full Circle CI:
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Episode 141: Liz Allan and Chris Cheetham - Why Annual Safety Inspections Matter for Every EV Charging Site.

Liz Allan is joined by Chris Cheetham, Founder and CEO of Safer Charging, to explore the often-overlooked world of post-installation care in the EV charging sector. Chris shares his journey from studying environmental science to his early days at PodPoint and the pivotal moment that led him to launch Safer Charging. He explains why EV charge points, much like any safety-critical infrastructure, require ongoing inspection and maintenance, rather than a one-time install-and-forget approach.

Their conversation covers the unique risks within EV charging environments, the importance of fire risk inspections, and the launch of the UK’s first EV Charging Installation Condition Report (EVCICR). They also unpack the real-world impact of overheating units, cable degradation, and poorly managed private infrastructure. Liz and Chris highlight how local authorities, landowners, and fleet operators can better safeguard their EV assets and why public trust is eroded whenever a charger is seen bagged off or left out of service.

Quote of the Episode
"Time degrades user attention as well as hardware. We need to treat charge points like safety-critical infrastructure—not just install and forget."
— Chris Cheetham, Founder & CEO of Safer Charging

Chris Cheetham Bio:
Chris Cheetham is a passionate advocate for safer, smarter EV charging. As CEO of Safer Charging, he works with businesses, councils, and landowners to ensure charge points are correctly installed and maintained to a high standard long after. With deep sector knowledge and a practical, solutions-focused mindset, Chris aims to make safety and reliability the norm across the UK’s charging infrastructure. His work helps clients confidently and clearly navigate fire risk, compliance, and operational performance.

Chris Cheetham Links:
Website: https://www.safercharging.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-cheetham-06185873

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode of Electric Evolution, please take a moment to leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us improve and enables more people to discover valuable insights from our amazing guests.

Click the link below to find out how to add a review on Apple or Spotify
https://bit.ly/4dtiMJK

The Electric Evolution Podcast is proudly produced by Podforge, helping purpose-driven voices be heard.

Links for Full Circle CI:
Visit our website: https://fullcircleci.co.uk/podcasts

Electric Evolution LinkedIn Page:

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Support our podcast here: https://patreon.com/ElectricEvolutionPodcast
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We love hearing from you! After listening to an episode, if you’d like to share a comment or ask a question, just click here to send us your message.

Episode 140: Liz Allan and Gary Comerford - Driving Change: What Makes an Outstanding EV Charging Experience?

Liz Allan is once again joined by Gary Comerford, host of the EV Musings Podcast. Together, they take a deep dive into the world of EV charging experiences, sharing personal anecdotes, lessons learned, and small but vital improvements that could transform EV adoption.

Gary brings his six years of EV driving experience into the conversation, offering brilliant insights into how the public charging network has evolved and where it still needs to develop. From memorable moments involving misaligned GPS pins to the essential elements that make or break a charging experience, Liz and Gary cover it all with their trademark warmth, humour, and constructive spirit.

They discuss the impact of good signage, payment reliability, canopy protection, proactive fault management, and why transparency around charging speeds is critical for drivers. This episode is a must-listen for CPOs, EV drivers, and anyone passionate about making EV journeys smoother, safer, and more satisfying.

Gary Comerford Bio:
Gary Comerford hosts the EV Musings podcast, where he shares practical advice, interviews, and real-world experiences from the front lines of electric vehicle adoption. An EV driver since 2018, Gary’s passion for demystifying the EV journey shines through. With a keen eye for what makes or breaks the charging experience, he’s become a trusted voice within the EV community, advocating for improvements that benefit drivers and infrastructure providers.

Gary Comerford Links:
Website: https://evmusings.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garycomerford

Quote of the Episode:
"A lot of charge point operators think they're doing fine because they’re busy, but being used isn’t the same as being loved. True success comes from making the EV charging experience as seamless and intuitive as possible."
— Gary Comerford, EV Musings Podcast

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode of Electric Evolution, please take a moment to leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us improve and enables more people to discover valuable insights from our amazing guests.

Click the link below to find out how to add a review on Apple or Spotify
https://bit.ly/4dtiMJK

The Electric Evolution Podcast is proudly produced by Podforge, helping purpose-driven voices be heard.

Links for Full Circle CI:
Visit our website: https://fullcircleci.co.uk/podcasts

Electric Evolution LinkedIn Page:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/electric-evolution-podcast

Support our podcast here: https://patreon.com/ElectricEvolutionPodcast
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