James Wehner has joined UK rapid charging network Engenie as its new chief technology officer (CTO), tasked with revolutionising the electric vehicle charging user experience and helping to accelerate mass EV adoption.

James Wehner, CTO at Engenie

Wehner was previously global product director at McDonald’s and was responsible for developing the McDonald’s self-service kiosks, growing global revenue by over $3bn.

At Engenie, his remit will focus on making EV charging as simple and seamless as possible for drivers. He will be responsible for enhancing customer experience, developing and implementing new technology, systems and software that will offer drivers more personalisation and choice when charging their EV.

Wehner commented: “For mass adoption of EVs to become a reality, drivers must be at the heart of the transition and by ensuring a key part of their experience – charging – is smooth and seamless, Engenie promises to accelerate that transition.

“The fundamentals of exceptional customer experience are the same in any sector – it’s about putting the customer in control. After close to half a decade establishing one of the world’s most recognisable customer services tools, I’m excited to apply my skills to a saector where customer experience isn’t just good for business, but instrumental in saving the planet too.”

His appointment is a significant new development in Engenie’s plans to further enhance the entire EV charging experience and facilitate mass EV growth in the UK, following substantial investment from Cube in July 2019.

Ian Johnston, CEO of Engenie, said: “Poor user experience is a major barrier to widespread EV adoption. By revolutionising the way we charge on the go, EV charging networks will play an essential role in accelerating a clean transport future. James has already brought a fresh approach to improving the customer experience of EV charging and has a lot of exciting new ideas in the pipeline.”