The Fully Charged Podcast: Behind The Scenes & The Turmoil of Covering the EV Industry!

Episode Overview: In this insightful episode of The Fully Charged Podcast, hosted by Robert Llewellyn, listeners are granted an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the operations of The Fully Charged Show. The episode primarily features an in-depth conversation between Dan Caesar, CEO of Fully Charged Show Limited, and investigative journalist Imogen Bogle. Released on October 7, 2024, the discussion delves into the challenges and triumphs of covering the electric vehicle (EV) industry, particularly focusing on the UK market's recent turmoil.

1. Introduction and Background

[00:00] Robert Llewellyn opens the episode by reflecting on the 14-year journey of The Fully Charged Show. Initially a solo venture, the show transformed into a professional operation upon partnering with Dan Caesar, who has been instrumental in steering the business side.

Key Quote:

"I think it's important to acknowledge the team that really make the Fully Charged show possible." — Robert Llewellyn ([00:00])

2. Business Operations and Team Dynamics

Dan Caesar emphasizes the significance of the core team, including Joe, Sophie, Carlo, and Imogen, alongside his own role and Dan’s leadership. This collaborative effort ensures smooth operations, from filming episodes to organizing live events.

Key Quote:

"Dan has really saved the day from that point of view. And I think it's important to acknowledge the team..." — Robert Llewellyn ([00:00])

3. Challenges in the UK Market

Dan candidly discusses the economic and political upheavals in the UK over the past two years, attributing much of the industry's struggles to factors like the brief tenure of Prime Minister Liz Truss and subsequent economic instability. These challenges have adversely affected EV sales, stalling growth that was otherwise promising.

Key Quote:

"The UK has not been the same. So there's been a huge knock on our customers that we deal with..." — Dan Caesar ([02:01])

4. Global Perspective: Success Abroad

Contrasting the UK’s difficulties, Dan highlights the robust growth of the EV and clean energy sectors in countries like Canada and Australia. Successful events in Vancouver and upcoming expansions in Sydney showcase a different, more optimistic landscape for sustainable technologies.

Key Quote:

"What we find when we're talking to Canadians and Australians about electric vehicles and clean energy is those markets are going gangbusters." — Dan Caesar ([02:01])

5. Misinformation in the EV Industry

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the rampant misinformation affecting the EV sector. Dan draws parallels to historical campaigns like those in Merchants of Doubt, explaining how vested interests in fossil fuels are spreading doubt to hinder the energy transition.

Key Quote:

"We have a real, really huge job and responsibility to correct some of that misinformation." — Dan Caesar ([07:37])

6. Combating Misinformation: Strategic Approaches

Imogen shares personal anecdotes illustrating the deep-rooted nature of misinformation, noting that even well-informed individuals fall prey to myths about EVs. Dan responds by outlining a dual strategy: correcting false narratives in real-time and proactively promoting the benefits of clean technologies.

Key Quote:

"We've evangelized about the technologies we love... but we can't believe sometimes that something so simple and something so good is actually demonized." — Dan Caesar ([10:31])

7. Launch of Electric Vehicles UK

Dan details the inception of the Electric Vehicles UK initiative, a collaborative effort aimed at unifying industry voices to effectively counter misinformation. Partnering with Greg Jackson of Octopus Energy, the initiative seeks to establish a rapid response unit that can address misleading media narratives swiftly and accurately.

Key Quote:

"We want to work better as an industry... to have a rapid response unit that takes stories like that and creates an alternative version." — Dan Caesar ([12:00])

8. Financial Sustainability and Revenue Streams

The conversation shifts to the financial aspects of running The Fully Charged Show. Dan explains the reliance on diverse revenue streams, including YouTube AdSense, Patreon contributions, and the increasingly successful Fully Charged Live events. He also hints at exploring merchandise and e-commerce opportunities to bolster financial resilience.

Key Quote:

"Running the events, not without risk. It's been, you know, it's been a relatively risky undertaking... But by doing Five events a year, we start to iterate really quickly." — Dan Caesar ([21:30])

9. Future Plans and Growth Strategies

Dan outlines ambitious plans to expand the number of live events globally, aiming for ten shows annually by 2030. Additionally, he discusses potential partnerships, sponsorships, and the introduction of e-commerce platforms to diversify income further. Emphasis is placed on maintaining the show's core mission while adapting to financial realities.

Key Quote:

"We have to look at other ways in which we can kind of build other engines onto this electric plane... merchandise is one of those things that we haven't done for a while, but we are likely to bring back in the not too distant future." — Dan Caesar ([27:26])

10. Team and Company Culture

Imogen and Dan highlight the familial and dedicated nature of the Fully Charged team. Despite being a small team, the collective passion and high efficiency drive the show's success. Personal anecdotes about team members and their contributions underscore the strong internal culture that supports the show's mission.

Key Quote:

"Everyone who works on the episodes... all those people are just absolutely phenomenal." — Dan Caesar ([43:36])

11. Upcoming Events and Highlights

Dan provides a sneak peek into the forthcoming Everything Electric South event in Farnborough, detailing the balanced showcase of technologies, test drives, expert talks, and family-friendly activities. Highlights include discussions with industry leaders like Greg Jackson and presentations from major players like BYD.

Key Quote:

"It's going to be an amazing, amazing three days and we can't wait to do it again..." — Dan Caesar ([39:25])

12. Conclusion and Future Outlook

Wrapping up, Dan shares his vision for the next five years, emphasizing the goal to mainstream clean technologies and achieve widespread EV adoption. He expresses optimism about overcoming current challenges and highlights the importance of patience and continued advocacy in driving the energy transition forward.

Key Quote:

"We want to take these technologies into the mainstream... it's going to be choppy. But we are very passionate about it and will keep advocating for these technologies." — Dan Caesar ([46:24])

Listener Takeaways:

• Team Dynamics: The success of The Fully Charged Show is deeply rooted in a dedicated and passionate team.
• Market Challenges: The UK EV market has faced significant hurdles due to economic and political instability, contrasting sharply with growth in other regions.
• Misinformation: Combating false narratives is a critical mission, requiring both reactive and proactive strategies.
• Electric Vehicles UK: A strategic initiative to unify industry responses and effectively address misinformation.
• Financial Resilience: Diversifying revenue streams through events, sponsorships, merchandise, and e-commerce is essential for sustainability.
• Future Vision: The show aims to expand globally, enhance financial stability, and play a pivotal role in mainstreaming clean technologies.

Final Thoughts: This episode offers a transparent and comprehensive view of the behind-the-scenes efforts that drive The Fully Charged Show. It highlights the complexities of operating within the EV industry, especially amidst misinformation and market fluctuations. The conversation between Dan Caesar and Imogen Bogle underscores the unwavering commitment to promoting sustainability and advancing the global energy transition.

Notable Quotes with Attribution:

• Robert Llewellyn ([00:00]):

  "I think it's important to acknowledge the team that really make the Fully Charged show possible."

• Dan Caesar ([02:01]):

  "The UK has not been the same. So there's been a huge knock on our customers that we deal with..."

• Dan Caesar ([07:37]):

  "We have a real, really huge job and responsibility to correct some of that misinformation."

• Dan Caesar ([10:31]):

  "We've evangelized about the technologies we love... but we can't believe sometimes that something so simple and something so good is actually demonized."

• Dan Caesar ([12:00]):

  "We want to work better as an industry... to have a rapid response unit that takes stories like that and creates an alternative version."

• Dan Caesar ([27:26]):

  "We are likely to bring back [merchandise] in the not too distant future."

• Dan Caesar ([43:36]):

  "Everyone who works on the episodes... all those people are just absolutely phenomenal."

• Dan Caesar ([46:24]):

  "We want to take these technologies into the mainstream... it's going to be choppy. But we are very passionate about it and will keep advocating for these technologies."

**Listeners are encouraged to engage with the show by liking, commenting, and subscribing to support the continued growth and resilience of The Fully Charged Show.