From Spark to Scale: The Rightcharge Start-Up Story

Charlie Cook, founder of Rightcharge, shared his journey from civil engineering graduate to climate-tech entrepreneur on Auto Futurecast. Inspired by his passion to combat climate change, Charlie transitioned from Octopus Energy, where he launched the UK’s first EV-specific energy tariff, to building Rightcharge, a platform simplifying EV ownership.The Rightcharge PivotInitially a home charge point marketplace, Rightcharge faced challenges by 2023. A pivotal shift to fleet payment solutions redefined the business, streamlining public charging payments and automating home charging reimbursements for EV fleets. Major clients like The AA now rely on Rightcharge to meet sustainability goals.Building MomentumWith 60% of UK EVs owned by businesses, Rightcharge’s services are vital for reducing costs and tracking emissions. Now expanding to four European markets, the company is addressing a market five times the size of the UK.Lessons for FoundersCharlie’s advice for entrepreneurs: Validate ideas, embrace pivots, structure fundraising around clear goals, and explore international markets. His journey shows how scalable innovation can drive sustainability.Stay UpdatedCatch new episodes of Auto Futurecast every two weeks. Subscribe on YouTube or your favourite podcast platform to stay in the loop!