One man, one van and a podcast
Tales from the BetterE expedition
How do we build a new European industry? Well, by talking to each other. There’s a gap here that the BetterE expedition is attempting to bridge. Naturally Issy had to chat to the man behind it: Simon Voß.
The mission is simple: 10,500 kilometres in 4 months in a converted electric van, chatting to 35 companies in a mobile podcast studio, all in a bid to foster communication between researchers, companies in the battery sector, investors, and policymakers. Easy right?
It sounds exactly like the kind of crazy big dream we love at Intercalation, and luckily, Simon was more than happy to tell us more.
Can you tell me about yourself and your background? How did you get into creating an expert network and podcast focused on batteries?
I studied mechanical engineering and later specialized in sustainable energy. Already during my master’s in 2016, it was clear to me: battery technology is the enabler of the energy transition. After graduation I spent time at the EU Commission on battery projects, then started a PhD at RWTH Aachen, where I built a battery production line to help research results reach industrial scale. In 2022, I became managing director of RWTH’s electromobility lab, guiding projects from research into industry.
Along the way I realized Europe has world-class competence but lacks a true battery industry. What we really have is a communications problem: technologies and ideas are not well connected between companies, policymakers, and investors. That’s why I started podcasting — first from my office.
In August 2024 I founded BETTERE GmbH to expand my work for our industry, built a true expert network for batteries. Then beginning of 2025 I started the BETTERE EXPEDITION, a electrically driven video podcast-campaign, showcasing the competence and potential of companies in the battery and e-mobility industry to enable the sustainable energy transition.
What's the specific gap that this podcast and project is trying to fill? How did you spot it?
At conferences I kept seeing the same pattern: slick PowerPoint presentations, but when you factored in realism, maybe 50% was actually feasible. The real stories, struggles, and innovations were missing. There was also little trust between stakeholders. I wanted to create a transparent and authentic format where CEOs, scientists, investors, and policymakers could speak openly. By bringing them together in a podcast and showing their facilities, I bridge that gap - so innovations aren’t lost in translation.
Can you tell me a bit about the podcast van? How did you build it and what were the major challenges and highlights of the project?
The van is both transport and studio - a fully electric vehicle converted into a mobile recording room. I needed a space with good sound, reliable power, and comfort for guests, while still being practical to drive thousands of kilometers across Europe. Financing was a challenge too: waiting for grants would have taken too long, so I financed it on my own and partially partnered with companies that believed in the idea.
The highlight has been the reactions of my guests - stepping into a van on some mountain road or industrial site and realizing this is where their story will be told. It’s different, authentic, and memorable.
What are your main reflections on the journey so far? Are there any key things that have surprised you?
Since April 2025, I’ve driven over 11,500 km across Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Denmark and Norway, visiting more than 35 companies. A few surprises stand out:
Charging infrastructure is better than expected, I didn’t have a single serious issue due to the lack of availability
Openness: many companies shared very candid insights - including insolvency risks and strategic struggles - because they valued the authenticity of the format and see the need to talk serious business - in front but also behind the camera.
Competences: I have seen many companies which are real powerhouses of ideas but also output. Where I try to support is that they bring the right products to market.
What are your hopes and fears for the European battery industry, given everything you've seen?
My hope is that Europe seizes the opportunity to build a resilient, sustainable battery value chain that supports both mobility and energy independence. My fear is that we move too slowly and lose competitiveness – especially here in Europe. The challenges faced by companies like Northvolt or Cellforce show how fragile the situation is. If we don’t create better communication, long-term policy signals, and investor confidence, Asia and the US will outpace us.
Is there anything that Europe does really well, and what do European players do poorly? What is holding the continent back and what's propelling it forwards?
Strengths: Europe is excellent at research, innovation, and setting sustainability standards. We have brilliant engineers and strong mid-sized companies driving technology.
Weaknesses: We’re too bureaucratic, risk-averse, and often lack the urgency you see in China or the US. Short political cycles make long-term planning almost impossible, and our “comfortable” work culture sometimes limits performance in global competition.
What may propel us forward are the Green Deal, strong policy frameworks that support made in Europe, and a growing recognition that batteries are strategic.
What holds us back is slow execution, especially on the regulatory side and fragmented coordination across industry, politics and investors. We need to push in one direction, together, simultaneously.
Is there anything else you'd like to tell me?
Yes - the Expedition has shown me that authenticity matters more than perfection. By producing the podcasts myself, I keep them raw and real. And it works: companies open up in ways they wouldn’t in a normal media interview. This has created a community spirit around the Expedition - people want to help, connect, and share knowledge. That human side is just as important as the technical side.
Finally, what are your plans for the next part of the expedition and how can the community support the endeavour?
Next stops include the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy and potentially the UK. The goal is to document Europe’s champions and keep building trust across the ecosystem – with scientific integrity.
The community can support by:
Building connections and introduction to decision makers of the battery e-mobility and energy field, including company executives, politicians and investors.
Recommending and sharing the podcast to reach wider audiences.
Becoming a BETTERE EXPEDITION partner company or financially supporting the campaign to make the production of these insights possible.
Let me finish with the remark: This is not just my expedition — it’s Europe’s expedition into its battery future.
Simon has chatted to some really interesting guests on his podcast, and the short 10-30 minute episodes make it very approachable. If you’d like to see Simon at your company or research institute, particularly in the UK, get in touch with him on LinkedIn or via his website.
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