Rachel Beaton is a standout leader in the EV space, driving innovation at Octopus Electroverse as the company continues to reshape the charging landscape. With a background in tech, she brings a specialist expertise to the emobility sector—combining a passion for sustainability with a deep understanding of customer experience and product development.
In the run-up to next week’s Top Women in EV campaign—where Octopus Electroverse is proudly partnering—we were thrilled to sit down with Rachel to discuss her journey into EVs. We dig into the challenges of building a seamless charging network, and how the industry can create a more inclusive and accessible future for all drivers.
Do you drive an EV? If so, what model do you drive and why?
I do indeed – I have a beautiful Kia EV6 GT Line in red. We were looking for a good sized family car with plenty of boot space for the buggy & bikes, with a long enough range that we could confidently drive from South of London up to family in North Yorkshire with ony a couple of short stops – and it has ticked all the boxes. My kids love that we have a quiet car which isn’t hurting the planet – and they also love the fact that it’s red!!
Can you take us through how you began working in the automotive and emobility sectors, and how that led to your current role at Octopus?
My background is actually in tech, having spent 12 years working across Product and Commercial roles at Rightmove, but when the time came to look for a new opportunity Octopus Electroverse provided the ideal intersection of sustainability and tech – and as a huge fan of motorsport it even had the added bonus of cars thrown into the mix. After having kids, my interest in sustainability came more to the forefront as I wanted to play my part in leaving the planet in the best possible state I could for their generation – and this really played into what I was looking for when I moved to Octopus.
The focus on the mission to make a big green dent in the universe across all elements of Octopus really resonated with me, and the specific challenge of making the transition to EV smoother and easier made Electroverse the ideal opportunity for me – the availability of public charging infrastructure had been a big discussion point for us when we were deciding whether to get an EV or a PHEV when we bought our previous car – and as existing users of the Electroverse network it was a product I was familiar with, and genuinely believed helps to smooth the transition to EV for new EV drivers.
Octopus is a pioneering force in the energy sector, and was an early adopter of EV-friendly tariffs and charging solutions. In your experience, how has the rise of emobility impacted the energy sector so far?
Emobility has really pushed the energy sector to think differently. At Octopus, we’ve always been focussed on innovation and the energy transition, and it’s been amazing to see how EVs have driven demand for smarter, more flexible energy solutions. They’re not just cars—they’re mobile batteries, which creates so many opportunities for balancing the grid and integrating renewables.
With tariffs like Octopus Go and Intelligent Octopus, we’ve been able to help customers charge their cars at the cheapest and greenest times, saving them money while supporting the grid. It’s not just about powering cars anymore—it’s about building a cleaner, smarter energy system for everyone.
Octopus Electroverse is the UK’s largest charging network with an incredible line-up of partners and payment options. What have been some of the major challenges in developing this extensive public network?
One of the biggest challenges has been making sure the network is as seamless and user-friendly as possible. With so many different charging providers out there, each with their own systems and payment methods, it’s been a real task to bring everything together under one roof. We wanted to create something where drivers could just tap and charge, no matter which provider they’re using—no hassle, no fuss.
Another challenge has been keeping up with the sheer pace of growth in the EV market. Demand for charging points is skyrocketing, and making sure we’re onboarding new CPOs as quickly as possible, while also future-proofing it, has been a bit of a juggling act.
On top of this, there’s also the tech side of things – ensuring we keep everything running smoothly and reliably – whilst also keeping up with the latest developments to ensure our users have access to a best in class service.
Charging anxiety is becoming a significant hurdle for adoption, with many consumers concerned about charger accessibility, functionality, and simplicity. What do you think the industry can do to better address these concerns?
The good news is that the UK’s EV charging infrastructure is growing at an incredible pace, which is really helping to tackle those concerns head-on. One of the most exciting things is just how much the network has expanded in recent years. We’re seeing more chargers popping up in convenient locations—whether that’s at motorway service stations, supermarkets, or even local streets. This is making it easier than ever for drivers to find a charger when they need one, which is a huge step forward.
At Electroverse, we’ve been working hard to make charging as simple and seamless as possible. By bringing together different charging partners under one platform, drivers get access to thousands of chargers across the UK with just one app and one payment method. It’s all about removing friction and making the experience as smooth as filling up an ICE vehicle.
And it’s not just about quantity—quality matters too. The industry is really stepping up when it comes to reliability and speed. Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers are becoming more common, meaning drivers can top up in minutes rather than hours. Plus, with better real-time information about charger availability and functionality, drivers can plan their journeys with confidence.
Auto Trader’s No Driver Left Behind report highlighted that 43% of women were worried about EV charging times, with the majority viewing charging as risky. How can we tailor our charging networks to help more women feel comfortable and safe while charging?
It’s such an important topic, and there’s a lot we can do to make charging feel safer and more accessible for everyone. Location is key—placing chargers in well-lit, busy areas like supermarkets or retail parks can make a big difference, especially if there is somewhere indoors you can sit while your car charges, rather than having to sit in your car on your own at night. It’s about creating spaces where people feel secure, whether they’re charging during the day or at night.
Transparency also helps a lot. For example, in the Electroverse app, users can upload photos of charging locations, so drivers know exactly what to expect when they arrive. It’s a small thing, but it can really help reduce uncertainty, especially for anyone charging somewhere new.
Beyond that, clear signage, real-time updates on charger availability, and making sure chargers are reliable and easy to use all go a long way in building confidence. It’s about designing charging networks with inclusivity in mind, so everyone feels comfortable making the switch to electric vehicles.
What would you say to any woman considering a career in the emobility sector?
Oh, I’d say go for it—it’s such an exciting space to be in right now! The emobility sector is growing fast, and it’s full of opportunities to make a real impact, whether you’re into tech, engineering, design, policy, or even customer experience. It’s not just about building cars or chargers; it’s about shaping the future of how we move and live, and that needs diverse perspectives and ideas.
I think what’s really special about this industry is how collaborative and forward-thinking it is. There’s so much innovation happening, and it’s a space where your voice can truly make a difference. If you’re passionate about sustainability, technology, or just making things better for people, this is the place to be.
Thank you to Rachel and the team at Octopus Electroverse for this catch-up, and their ongoing support of the Top Women in EV campaign. Make sure to get involved all next week, when the campaign will be celebrating the work of 70 women from the emobility sector across 7 days.
