Electric & Eclectic with Roger Atkins - LinkedIn Top Voice for EV

Roger Atkins

In conversation with the past, present, and future movers and shakers of the electric vehicle eco-system. Upstream in mining and mineral processing and downstream in batteries and charging infrastructures - and all points in between! I will draw on friendships and experiences from almost 40 years in the auto industry - almost half of that embedded within the nascent EV industry. Failure and success are all part of my story...and that of many people I know. YOU will hear about it all. 

  1. Ambition, Tenacity, & Delivery - In Conversation with Sarah Windrum

    Jun 29

    Ambition, Tenacity, & Delivery - In Conversation with Sarah Windrum

    A founder sells her shares, goes back to school for data science and AI, and then lands in a role that sounds simple but isn’t: making sure a world-class mobility and automotive innovation site gets seen, funded, and understood.  I sit down with Sarah Windrum to unpack the real story behind economic development, public sector and private sector collaboration, and the kind of relationship-building that turns regional ambition into national attention. We dig into the early signals that made AI feel inevitable long before it became the daily headline. From cloud technology and SME adoption to the rising demand for insight, trends, and predictive analytics, Sarah explains why “more data” only matters when it improves productivity and decision-making.  If you care about electric vehicles, automotive engineering, mobility innovation, or how the UK improves growth, competitiveness, and jobs, you’ll hear a grounded view of what actually moves the needle. Then we go personal. Parenting while running a business means tradeoffs that don’t fit neatly into a highlight reel, from leaving a school sports day during a crisis to canceling professional commitments when your child needs you. We talk about making hard calls, being honest with people, and living with the reality that balance is a practice, not a perfect plan. We also break down what it takes to bring senior leaders to a place like MIRA Tech Park, including the Prime Ministerial visit to launch the industrial strategy, the importance of cross-party support, and how a well-designed ecosystem creates collaboration instead of silos.  So, if you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, share it with a friend who cares about EVs and industrial policy, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.  ...And, if you have been - thank you for listening!

    27 min
  2. Britain’s New Climate Reality

    May 7

    Britain’s New Climate Reality

    London doesn’t feel like a wildfire city until it suddenly is. We’re joined by legendary BBC science editor David Shukman to talk about his book The Response and the uncomfortable truth behind Britain’s “new normal”: the disasters aren’t only getting worse, they’re arriving faster than our institutions can adapt. We dig into the 40°C heat warning and the damage mixed public messaging can do when emergency services are gearing up to save lives. David walks us through the chain of consequences that turns heat into catastrophe, from multiple blazes flaring around the capital to the Wennington fire, where crews reported weak water pressure at the moment it mattered most. We also explore flooding as a life-and-death threat, including what happens when extreme rain overwhelms drainage and sewage systems and traps people in basement flats. From there, the conversation widens to the forces that shape climate action: how oil companies have framed the debate, why “phase out” is different from “switch off,” and where electrification actually delivers quick wins through electric vehicles, batteries, and heat pumps. We also talk air pollution and the landmark case of Ella Kissi-Debrah, plus the difficult economics of prevention, flood defenses, and insurance in a warming world. If you care about climate change, climate adaptation, UK infrastructure, clean air, and realistic paths to net zero, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who still thinks it’s “just weather,” and leave a review with the one change you want leaders to make first.

    55 min
  3. Storing Power, Powering Progress

    12/19/2025

    Storing Power, Powering Progress

    What happens after we make the power? We dive into the messy, fascinating intersection of energy storage, AI-hungry data centers, and the EV market—where policy, pricing, and supply chains can accelerate progress or grind it to a halt. With Benchmark Mineral Intelligence's Head of Research, Iola Hughes, and Energy Storage Lead, Shan Tomouk, we unpack why batteries are quickly becoming the most flexible tool in the energy toolbox and how that changes decisions from the mine to the megawatt. We explore the surge in US storage demand as utilities wrestle with aging grids and interconnection queues, and why developers are using containerized ESS as a bridge to get data centers online faster. You’ll hear how peak shaving and behind-the-meter batteries cut brutal 6 pm prices, how waste heat from servers can warm swimming pools and districts, and where SMRs fit on a realistic timeline. We chart the geopolitics too: the US lead in data centers and GPUs, China’s grip on LFP and processing, and the West’s push to localize parts of the battery supply chain. We also test the sacred cows. Can vehicle-to-grid finally scale, or will dedicated storage dominate grid response? Is battery swapping dead for cars but a winner for heavy trucks, where standardized packs and depot cycles make economics sing? And what does a credible 2050 look like—more renewables, firm gas, smarter batteries, and microgrids that help emerging regions leapfrog old pathways? If you care about clean energy, AI infrastructure, EV adoption, or how to actually pay for the future grid, this conversation gives you a grounded map and a few bold bets. Follow along, share with a friend who loves energy debates, and if it resonated, subscribe and leave a review so we can keep bringing sharp voices and real-world insights to your feed.

    54 min
  4. Mike Colias's Book - inEVitable: Inside the Messy, Unstoppable, Transition to Electric Vehicles

    12/16/2025

    Mike Colias's Book - inEVitable: Inside the Messy, Unstoppable, Transition to Electric Vehicles

    What if the future of cars isn’t a finish line but a tug-of-war between electrons, policy, and supply chains? That’s the lens we bring to a candid conversation with Reuters U.S. Autos Editor Mike Colias, author of Inevitable, as we chart how EV adoption can stall in the short term and still advance for the long haul. We unpack why China sprinted ahead by cracking two stubborn problems—price and charging—while the U.S. wrestles with policy whiplash and Europe navigates uneven progress across member states. Mike takes us from the Edison-Ford era to CATL’s meteoric rise, showing how battery breakthroughs became business moats. We talk about the moment the industry underestimated Tesla, how an EV’s simpler powertrain lowered barriers to entry, and why legacy automakers found themselves playing catch-up just as China’s industrial policy hit its stride. The result: a global realignment where cost curves, charging reliability, and mineral refining capacity determine who sells the next million vehicles. We also go deep on regulation and geopolitics. In the U.S., shifting incentives and frozen penalties chilled demand and postponed plants. In Europe, an end date for combustion is softening, but emissions pressure remains high, with hybrids, e-fuels, and biofuels reshaping compliance. Looming over everything is the minerals and midstream bottleneck—lithium, nickel, graphite, and rare earths mostly refined in China—creating leverage that can swing markets overnight. Expect familiar playbooks: Chinese brands building inside tariff walls, Western OEMs doubling down on hybrids now while investing in batteries, software, and charging to compete later. If you’re trying to make sense of the next five years—where the casualties might fall, which strategies actually close the gap, and how “new energy” links mobility to the grid—this conversation offers a clear map of the forces at work. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves cars or policy, and leave a review telling us where you think EV adoption will peak first and why.

    47 min
  5. Unlocking Innovation: The Patent Marketplace Revolution

    04/06/2025

    Unlocking Innovation: The Patent Marketplace Revolution

    Benedetta Arese Lucini reveals how AI is matchmaking inventors with investors to accelerate global innovation!We discuss the revolutionary Atom Patent Assistant with founder Benedetta Arese Lucini, a marketplace connecting inventors with companies seeking innovation solutions across multiple industries. The platform uses AI to make 150 million patents searchable and accessible, helping match ideas with the capital needed to bring them to market. • Atom creates a bridge between inventors (particularly in universities and startups) and companies with the resources to commercialize their ideas • Patents typically only last 20 years, creating opportunities for companies to discover innovations that are no longer protected • The platform uses AI to translate complex patent language and identify potential applications beyond what's explicitly stated • Bernadette's background in finance and technology helps her understand both the inventor and commercial perspectives • Atom's valuation tools aim to help innovators understand the true worth of their intellectual property • The platform works by finding ideas first rather than people, unlike traditional networking platforms • While patents are public, finding relevant ones has historically been difficult without specialized tools • Atom's model combines artificial intelligence with human expertise to unlock innovation potential Follow Roger on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest electric vehicle developments and innovation trends in batteries, energy, and data.

    34 min
  6. Turning The Tables on Imogen Bhogal

    01/22/2025

    Turning The Tables on Imogen Bhogal

    Electric & Eclectic with Roger Atkins - LinkedIn Top Voice for EV

    31 min
  7. Revolutionising STEM Education: Insights from Diane Clark on Industry Partnerships and Electric Vehicle Integration

    11/04/2024

    Revolutionising STEM Education: Insights from Diane Clark on Industry Partnerships and Electric Vehicle Integration

    Unlock the secrets to pioneering STEM education through the engaging insights of Diane Clark, Mission Director of Curiosity Box. Diane unravels the innovative methods Curiosity Box employs to make learning tangible and impactful for children, especially in underserved areas. By collaborating with prestigious organizations like the Faraday Institute and the British Science Association, Curiosity Box ensures their products are both educationally significant and accredited, aiming to boost confidence in teachers and inspire resilience in students. Discover the transformative power of community outreach in the industrial sector as we highlight notable examples like Agritas and Amphenol. These companies are not only enhancing their local presence but are also revolutionizing the way complex scientific concepts are taught to young minds. Agritas, for instance, partners with schools to introduce innovative battery boxes that make science both accessible and fascinating. Learn practical advice on how businesses can get involved, emphasizing strategic partnerships and the financial commitments necessary for impactful engagement. Finally, we steer into the electrifying world of electric vehicles and their integration into education. The need to normalise knowledge about batteries and electric motors from an early age is critical, and our discussion sheds light on how this can be achieved. With insights from our eclectic guest, Diane Clark, we highlight the exciting opportunities the electric vehicle revolution presents for learners of all ages. By investing in STEM education today, businesses can help bridge the skills gap, ensuring a future workforce that's ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.

    28 min
  8. Revolutionizing Mobility: Crijn Bouman on Hands-Free Charging for Autonomous and Electric Vehicles

    10/09/2024

    Revolutionizing Mobility: Crijn Bouman on Hands-Free Charging for Autonomous and Electric Vehicles

    Prepare to be inspired by Crijn Bouman, the visionary CEO of Rocsys, as he shares his mission to transform the future of mobility with hands-free charging solutions for autonomous and electric vehicles. Live from Rijswijk, Netherlands, Crijn offers a rare look into Rocsys's groundbreaking work with major North American ports and logistics companies like Taylor and Hyster. With tantalizing hints of upcoming European developments, we uncover how Rocsys is setting the stage for a driverless tomorrow, where infrastructure is primed for efficiency and sustainability. Our exploration doesn't stop there as we tackle the fascinating world of electric vehicle charging solutions. From the practicalities of battery swapping and wireless charging to Rocsys's pioneering hands-free charging hubs, we weigh the strengths and limitations of each. Discover how advancements in robotics and AI are the secret weapons in automating the charging process, ensuring scalability without the need for vehicle modifications. We also touch on the challenges of standardization across regions, with an eye on how China’s government-led standards could shape the future landscape. Picture a world where steering wheels are obsolete, and vehicles operate as constant revenue-generating assets. We dive into the implications of such a reality, pondering the potential shifts in business models and the roles of traditional manufacturers. The accelerating race between the US and China in the autonomous vehicle sector raises questions about global competition and the economic ripple effects. Crijn offers insights into how Rocsys is positioned at the forefront of these changes, especially in the logistics and Robotaxi sectors, where automated charging solutions could redefine industry norms.

    47 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

In conversation with the past, present, and future movers and shakers of the electric vehicle eco-system. Upstream in mining and mineral processing and downstream in batteries and charging infrastructures - and all points in between! I will draw on friendships and experiences from almost 40 years in the auto industry - almost half of that embedded within the nascent EV industry. Failure and success are all part of my story...and that of many people I know. YOU will hear about it all. 

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