When assessing the top 10 leaders in the EV industry, it's essential to consider their influence on EV production and their contributions to technological innovation, infrastructure development and overall market impact. It's not enough to focus solely on those directly manufacturing EVs (OEMs); one must highlight the key players driving advancements in charging infrastructure and related services.
Several leaders in the UK and Europe are making significant strides in the EV market, both upstream and downstream, demonstrating their pivotal roles in shaping the industry's future. These leaders include:
10 | Toddington Harper - CEO
Company: Gridserve
Founded: 2017
Annual Turnover: US$15m
Gridserve is leading the charge in sustainable energy, focusing on creating a greener future with cutting-edge net-zero transport solutions. The company has quickly become a game-changer in the EV world thanks to its innovative approach to EV charging infrastructure. From its revolutionary Electric Forecourts to the expansive Gridserve Electric Highway network that spans the UK, Gridserve is setting new standards in the industry.
Toddington Harper, the company's founder and CEO, is at the heart of this vision. With a second-generation solar energy professional background, Harper has made it his mission to drive sustainable energy solutions forward. Under his leadership, Gridserve has soared to the forefront of EV charging, with nearly 1,500 charging bays installed at more than 190 locations across the UK.
Harper's ambitions continue beyond the UK's borders. With the launch of Gridserve Global, he's taking the company's expertise to new markets, aiming to create a global partner network for EV infrastructure. His dedication has been pivotal in accelerating EV adoption and pushing toward a more sustainable transportation ecosystem in the UK and potentially throughout Europe.
9 | Joe Gorman, Vice President - Europe
Company: ChargePoint
Founded: 2007
Annual Revenue: US$506m
Joe Gorman, Vice President for Europe at ChargePoint, drives the company's operations across Northern Europe. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Gorman has been pivotal in expanding ChargePoint's footprint in the European market. His knack for crafting customer-centric business strategies and pioneering EV charging solutions sets him apart.
A champion of ChargePoint's mission, Gorman is committed to making the EV transition effortless for businesses and drivers. His efforts have significantly boosted the growth and accessibility of EV charging infrastructure across Europe.
8 | Ola Källenius, CEO
Company: Mercedes Benz Group
Founded: 2019
Annual Revenue: US$578m
The Mercedes-Benz Group, formerly Daimler AG, is a global powerhouse in the automotive industry, with headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany and famous for its luxury vehicles, trucks and buses. Since taking the helm in May 2019, CEO Ola Källenius has been steering the company full throttle into the electric age.
His bold 'Electric Only' strategy aims for a fully electric lineup by 2030, where market conditions allow, demonstrating his commitment to a sustainable future. Källenius has been instrumental in launching flagship EVs like the EQS luxury sedan and the EQA compact SUV, ensuring Mercedes-Benz remains at the forefront of the premium EV segment. He's pushed for major investments in battery technology and charging infrastructure across Europe, solidifying the company's position as a leader in the EV market.
7 | Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO
Company: Lucid Motors
Founded: 2007
Annual Turnover: US$595m
Lucid Motors is an American automotive and technology company specialising in high-performance electric vehicles. Founded in 2007, the company has gained recognition for its innovative EV design and engineering approach.
Peter Rawlinson is the CEO and CTO of Lucid Motors. A British engineer and former Vice President of Engineering at Tesla, Rawlinson joined Lucid in 2013 and has been instrumental in shaping the company's vision and technology. Under his leadership, Lucid developed the Lucid Air sedan, known for its industry-leading range and performance.
While Lucid primarily focuses on the US market, Rawlinson's expertise and advanced EV technology have garnered attention in Europe. Lucid has begun expanding into select European markets, potentially influencing the broader EV landscape in the region.
6 | Mate Rimac, Founder and CEO
Company: Rimac Automobili
Founded: 2009
Annual Turnover: US$750m
Rimac Automobili, the Croatian trailblazer in electric hypercars, has been turning heads since its founding in 2009. The brainchild of Mate Rimac, it has carved out a niche by pushing the limits of what EVs can achieve. Rimac Automobili isn't just about making fast cars; it's about redefining high-performance EV technology for the entire automotive industry.
Mate Rimac's journey began humbly enough when, at just 19 years old, he converted his classic BMW E30 into an electric powerhouse. The project was the spark that ignited the creation of Rimac Automobili, leading to a series of groundbreaking innovations in EV technology. Under his visionary leadership, the company has launched iconic models like the Concept One and the Nevera, which are celebrated for their blistering speed and cutting-edge tech.
But Rimac's influence stretches far beyond its lineup of hypercars. It has become a key supplier of drivetrains and battery systems for other major automotive brands, playing a crucial role in the broader shift toward electrification. With high-profile collaborations, including a joint venture with Bugatti, Rimac is not just a player but a driving force in the European EV market, continually pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle performance and technology.
5 | Thomas Ingenlath, former CEO
Company: Polestar
Founded: 2017
Annual Revenue: US$2.38bn
Polestar is a premium EV manufacturer that originated as a performance subsidiary of Volvo before becoming a standalone brand in 2017. The company focuses on producing high-performance, design-led electric cars.
Thomas Ingenlath served as Polestar's CEO from its inception in 2017 until October 2024. An internationally recognised vehicle designer, Ingenlath was crucial in transforming Polestar from a Volvo performance spin-off into a distinct premium EV brand. Under his leadership, Polestar launched its first two vehicles: the luxury hybrid Polestar 1 and the more affordable Polestar 2 fastback sedan. Ingenlath's design-centric approach and vision for electric premium vehicles helped establish Polestar as a desirable and innovative brand in the European EV market, competing directly with Tesla.
4 | Elon Musk, CEO
Company: Tesla
Founded: 2003
Annual Turnover: US$97bn
Elon Musk's impact on the EV industry is nothing short of revolutionary. His vision and relentless drive have turned Tesla into a powerhouse that has reshaped the automotive landscape, pushing EVs from the fringes into the mainstream. Founded in 2003, Tesla quickly grew under Musk's leadership to become a global leader in EV technology, renowned for its high-performance electric cars and bold innovations.
Since becoming CEO in 2008, Musk has steered Tesla to create iconic models like the Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y, which have gained significant traction in markets worldwide, including Europe and the UK. His focus on long-range battery technology, advanced autopilot systems and seamless over-the-air software updates has set a new standard for what electric cars can achieve.
Tesla's influence in Europe is robust, with a growing market share and the strategic development of Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, designed to boost local production and meet increasing demand. Musk's aggressive push for innovation hasn't just propelled Tesla to the top of the EV game; it's forced traditional automakers to accelerate their electric vehicle plans drastically. His commitment to sustainable transportation has sparked an industry-wide race toward electrification, forever altering the future of mobility in Europe and beyond.
3 | Albert Biermann, Former Head of R&D
Company: Hyundai-Kia-Genesis
Founded: 2008
Annual Turnover: US$126bn
Hyundai-Kia-Genesis, the South Korean automotive powerhouse, has made a name for itself on the global stage with its trio of brands: Hyundai, Kia and the premium marque Genesis. This group has carved out a significant presence in the worldwide auto industry and has emerged as a serious contender in the EV arena.
A key figure behind this transformation is Albert Biermann, who joined Hyundai Motor Group in 2015 after a distinguished 31-year career at BMW. Biermann brought a wealth of experience and his influence has been game-changing. Tasked with revamping vehicle dynamics and leading the group's electrification push, Biermann spearheaded the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) development. The innovative platform is the backbone of the group's most successful EVs, like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.
Biermann's performance engineering expertise didn't just advance the group's EV strategy—it elevated the driving dynamics of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles across the board. His contributions have played a crucial role in boosting the appeal and competitiveness of these brands in the highly competitive UK and European markets, solidifying their place as serious players in the electrification race.
2 | Carlos Tavares, CEO
Company: Stellantis
Founded: 2021
Annual Revenue: US$208bn
Stellantis, the global automotive powerhouse, existed in 2021 when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles joined forces with the PSA Group. The merger created a formidable player in the automotive industry, bringing together a lineup of 14 iconic brands like Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroën and Fiat, among others.
At the helm of this multinational giant is Carlos Tavares, who has been guiding Stellantis since its inception. Under his dynamic leadership, Stellantis has made impressive advances in the EV market, particularly in Europe and the UK. One of Tavares's notable achievements includes transforming the Ellesmere Port plant into the UK's first dedicated EV-only manufacturing facility, a milestone made possible by a US$131m investment.
1 | Herbert Diess, Former CEO
Company: The Volkswagen Group
Founded: 1937
Annual: US$354bn
Volkswagen Group, based in Wolfsburg, Germany, is a titan in the automotive industry, commanding a diverse portfolio of prestigious brands like Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Bentley and Lamborghini. As one of the world's largest automakers, the company has played a pivotal role in shaping the global car market, with a growing focus on electrification and innovation.
The visionary behind much of this transformation was Herbert Diess, who served as the CEO of Volkswagen Group from 2018 to 2022. Diess brought a bold new direction to the company, championing its ambitious shift toward electric vehicles and digitalisation.
His strategy wasn't just about catching up with the competition but redefining Volkswagen's role in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape. Diess committed billions of euros to develop cutting-edge EV models and revamp production facilities to support the company's electric future.
Under his leadership, Volkswagen launched the ID. family of EVs, with models like the ID.3 and ID.4 gaining significant traction in the European market. Diess's vision set ambitious goals, aiming for 70% of Volkswagen's European sales to be fully electric by 2030. His efforts didn't just elevate Volkswagen's position in the EV arena; they put the company on a direct path to rival Tesla's dominance, accelerating the shift toward sustainable mobility across Europe and beyond.
Make sure you check out the latest edition of EV Magazine and attend our next EV event - Manufacturing & Mobility LIVE (virtual)
Also sign up to our global conference series - Sustainability LIVE 2024.
EV Magazine is a BizClik brand.
