Richard Staveley is the CEO of EO Charging. He joined in May this year, having begun his journey in the EV sector in 2021 as part of the founding team at Zest Eco Limited, backed by the UK’s Central Infrastructure Investment Fund. Richard and EO Charging, are transforming the industry through advanced smart charging technology, working with major fleets like Amazon and DHL.
We caught up with Richard to discuss his role at EO Charging, and how the company is pushing the UK’s EV transition forward.
Do you drive an EV? If so, what model do you drive and why?
I currently drive a BMW IX 4.0, it has a good electric performance and lots of technical features.
You’ve been working in the EV charging sector for several years, what drew you to working in this arena?
In 2021, I had the opportunity, working with Zouk Capital – industry pioneers in the EV investor space – and the UK’s Central Infrastructure Investment Fund (dedicated to deploying public infrastructure for EV charging), to be a part of the founding team at Zest Eco Limited. Zest is a leading Charge Point operator in the UK, funded by the UK’s Central Infrastructure Investment Fund. Since then, I have been closely involved with Zest as a board member and their chairman.
I believe that electrifying transportation, and importantly buses and fleets, will have a hugely positive impact on our journey to net zero. The benefits and opportunity for transport to go electric generally has been clear for some time now – it’s a “must not a maybe.”
EV infrastructure is the essential foundation for making fleet electrification possible. Although it’s a complex process, and it is continually evolving, it’s a process that I enjoy and am personally committed to.
Since I’ve been close to the sector, I’ve witnessed the rapid advancements in technology, which is making the transition to fleets reliable, simple and accessible.
It’s an exciting field to be in, offering businesses of all sizes the chance to future-proof their operations while making significant strides towards net zero goals.
Now at EO I’m able to be an integral part of this transformative journey. Our team possesses deep knowledge across various sectors from buses to trucks and has been working with some of the world’s largest fleets including Amazon and DHL. As a company we are dedicated to creating disruptive solutions that will turn a greener future into reality.
Having gained the position of CEO at EO Charging in May, what are your main ambitions in the role?
EO is at an inflection point, and we are excited about the journey ahead of us. We are industry pioneers, did you know we have data on over 50 million charging sessions, we understand exactly what it takes to deploy mission-critical charging infrastructure and ensure it delivers for our partners.
At this pivotal time for the EV charging industry we are on a mission to become the go-to partner in the EV fleet charging sector globally, as demand for the technology continues to grow. With a solid foundation for growth and strong backing from investors we have a tremendous opportunity ahead of us.
There is a global push to switch to alternate fuels, and we want to ensure that we avoid an electric divide. Businesses of all sizes should have access to the tools and solutions needed to electrify their fleets, as well as a Charge Assurance service that guarantees their EV fleet will be available 100% of the time, providing complete peace of mind.
Your predecessor, Charlie Jardine, shared his ambition for EO Charging to become the “go-to partner for fleet electrification globally”. What does EO Charging offer that stands out in the industry?
At EO Charging we have an established and proven offering that enables us to support our fleet customers successfully. We have been working with some of the world’s largest and most complex fleets for a decade and have a diverse team of experts to deliver this service. We have unrivalled uptime in the market of <99.5% and this is delivered through our Charge Assurance offering.
Our solutions feature advanced smart charging technology that enable dynamic load management, energy optimisation, and helps fleet operators have visibility of and sustainably manage their energy consumption.
Critically, and to my previous point on growth, our system is designed for easy scalability, accommodating the growing needs of businesses and fleets as they expand their EV infrastructure.
To tie it all up, the EO Cloud and EO Hub software solutions provide centralised visibility, control and management of charging stations, offering real-time monitoring, analytics, and reporting.
We are constantly evolving to meet our customer’s needs, which is why you will be hearing a lot more on Charge Assurance in the next few months, as we really home in on the ongoing services we offer solving the most critical issue for fleet electrification.
Since EO Charging’s foundation in 2014, the company has become operational in more than 30 countries. How has the EV charging sector changed since you started working in it?
With the increasing demands for sustainable sources and the industry facing a pressure to meet the Net-Zero gap, we’ve seen EV adoption soar. According to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), out of the 679,822 EVs sold in the UK in 2024 so far, 407,661 were across the fleet sector.
We’re also seeing the EV conversation shift from focusing on consumer EVs to commercial, given the significant impact electric fleets could make on achieving net-zero goals. This mindset shift is important for giving focus on where support and innovation is needed most. There are still some hurdles that are entirely possible to address if the industry, government and regulators work together.
In your view, what are the main barriers facing widespread fleet electrification, and what can we do to overcome them?
One of the biggest and most talked about barriers is cost – but it is often a misconception. While the capital expenditure (CapEx) for electrification is high, there are long-term cost benefits of electrification, such as reduced maintenance, lower fuel and running costs and an extended vehicle lifespan.
There are now promising developments in the EV market that aim to support the reduction of upfront costs, making the move to EVs more accessible to commercial operators. With mass adoption and technological advancements, vehicle prices are expected to decrease in the coming years. New financing options, such as charge assurance, will also act as a gateway for operators who do not have access to the upfront CapEx needed to start their electrification journey.
There is a vital part for Governments to play here too. Increasing funding and incentives such as grants, and tax breaks will make the move for zero-emission fleets to become more accessible to operators. They could even partner with financial institutions to provide financing solutions like low-interest loans customised to fleet operators’ requirements.
How do you see the EV charging sector developing worldwide between now and 2035?
Collaboration between automotive manufacturers, energy companies, government and technology providers will be crucial for future progress. The principles of an open ecosystem, long conceived as the gold standard in the world of tech, is needed to overcome common challenges that surround EV adoption, drive innovation, and, ultimately, create a future where EVs are the norm rather than the exception.
These principles are interoperability, accessibility, and collaboration and together they serve as a foundational framework wherein manufacturers, policymakers, utilities, and technology vendors seamlessly unite to provide a solution to the end customer.
My vision is that by 2035, the EV charging sector will not only support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles but will also play a critical role in the global shift towards a more sustainable and resilient energy ecosystem.
Thank you to Richard, and the EO Charging team, for this interview, and their wider work propelling sustainable transport options. Find out more about EO Charging’s EV offerings on their website today.
