131: Andreas Blin | ChargePoint
This week, Paul and John are joined by Andreas Blin, Director Segments and Partnerships - CPOs, Fuel&Convenience and Solution Partners at ChargePoint, and self-proclaimed enabler of the electric mobility revolution. Andreas takes us on a journey from his early career in plastics and cheese-making machinery (yes, really!) to becoming a passionate leader in the EV charging industry. He shares ho...
42m Sep 10, 2025
42m
130: Tim Morris, Marketing Director at Europcar
This week we welcome Tim Morris, the newly appointed Marketing Director for UK & Ireland at Europcar. From swapping petrol-guzzling BMW M5s for sleek electric vehicles to navigating the challenges of parenthood, Tim's journey is as dynamic as the EV revolution itself. 🚙 What’s Inside? Europcar’s Electric Evolution: Hear how Europcar is leading the charge with an impressive percentage of its U...
53m Sep 04, 2025
53m
129: Faizan Ahmed Delivers Innovation
This week we’re joined by Faizan Ahmed, Decarbonisation Programme Director at First Bus, one of the UK’s largest bus operators. Faizan shares his inspiring journey steering First Bus towards a zero-emission future with bold ambitions, including a fleet of over 1,200 zero-emission buses—on track to hit 1,500 by next year! We dive into: 🌍Decarbonisation ambitions: The roadmap to a zero-emission...
59m Aug 27, 2025
59m
128: Vicky Edmonds: Working for EV Drivers
This week - Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England. Vicky shares her journey from the halls of government, where she played a pivotal role in shaping transport decarbonisation policy, to leading EVA England in amplifying the voice of EV drivers across the UK. 🚗 What’s in this episode? Vicky’s interesting career shift from zoology to EV advocacy The critical role of EVA England in representing EV d...
49m Aug 20, 2025
49m
127: Tim Campbell: Sustainability At His Core
This week we’re joined by the legendary Tim Campbell from Campbell’s Consultancy—a true pioneer in the world of commercial vehicle decarbonisation. Known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of trucks and vans, Tim shares insights from his global journey exploring electrification, including eye-opening experiences from China’s commercial vehicle shows. We dive deep into: 🚚 The evolution of electrif...
50m Aug 13, 2025
50m
126: Tom Pearson, CPD Bodies
In this deeply inspiring episode, Paul and John are joined by Tom Pearson, Commercial Director at CPD Bodies, one of the UK’s leading commercial vehicle converters. Tom shares CPD’s bold journey from a small business to a thriving medium-sized enterprise, fuelled by sustainable practices, innovative systems, and people-driven growth. 🚛 What’s in this episode? CPD’s sustainability strategy, in...
1hr 3m Aug 06, 2025
1hr 3m
125: Jack Cousens | The AA
This week we are joined by the dynamic Jack Cousens, Head of Roads Policy at the AA. Known for his appearances on BBC Travel News and transport reports, Jack shares his journey from local politics to becoming the voice of the motorist at one of Britain's most trusted motoring organisations. What’s Covered? Behind the Scenes at the AA: Discover the dual role Jack plays – from being the AA’s me...
40m Jul 30, 2025
40m
124: Miles in Silence with Sarah Papamichalis
This week Paul and John are joined by the dynamic Sarah Papamichalis, Head of Product at Milence, a trailblazing company revolutionising EV charging for heavy-duty vehicles across Europe. Sarah dives into: 🚚 Milence's mission to decarbonise road freight by building Europe-wide electric truck charging corridors. 🌍 Her personal sustainability journey—from biking to work for 25 years in Amsterda...
56m Jul 23, 2025
56m
123: EV Blocks: As Easy as (Episode) 123
This week, Paul and Sarah sit down with Trevor Palmer, the founder and CEO of EV Blocks—the company revolutionising EV charger installations with universal, low-carbon foundations. Trevor shares his inspiring journey from an apprentice electrician to a global entrepreneur, detailing how his love for Lego, engineering, and a bit of hustle culture laid the foundation (pun intended!) for his inno...
39m Jul 16, 2025
39m
122: Driving Change with Brett Howton of IVECO
This week we have Brett Howton from IVECO, a passionate expert at the forefront of the electric transition in the heavy vehicle sector. Brett shares his fascinating journey—from his early days in retail (yes, including tales from Dixons and even being one of the first to get his hands on a PlayStation 2!), to his unique stint as a prison officer, and ultimately, finding his true calling in the...
49m Jul 09, 2025
49m
121: James Rooney, Network Rail
Join us for a conversation with James Rooney, Head of Road Fleet at Network Rail, as he shares the real challenges and triumphs of transitioning Britain's largest rail infrastructure fleet to electric vehicles. With 9,800 vehicles under his management and a government mandate for 100% electric by 2027, James reveals the honest truth about meeting ambitious targets, the technology gaps holding b...
46m Jul 02, 2025
46m
120: Go Go Paua Rangers! Niall Riddell on Making EV Charging Easier
Join us this week on The EV Café Podcast as we sit down with Niall Riddell, CEO and Co-Founder of Paua, to explore the critical role of payment and charging solutions in accelerating business EV adoption. Niall shares insights into how Paua is revolutionising the fleet charging experience, making it seamless for businesses to manage their electric vehicle operations. From simplifying payment pr...
48m Jun 25, 2025
48m
119: Rosario Surace: Navigating EV Infrastructure with Drax
This week we're joined by Rosario Surace, EV Charging Specialist at Drax Group. Rosario shares his expertise on supporting organisations with their transition to electric vehicles, from infrastructure planning to fleet management. We dive into the challenges of commercial vehicle charging, the importance of destination charging, and how Drax is helping businesses navigate the complex world of E...
36m Jun 18, 2025
36m
118: Ian Plummer, Auto Trader UK
This week we're joined by Ian Plummer, Commercial Director at Auto Trader UK, who shares his extensive automotive industry expertise and vision for an electric future. Ian discusses Auto Trader's pivotal role in the UK's automotive marketplace, offering fascinating insights into EV adoption trends, the impact of Chinese manufacturers, and the evolving consumer behavior in the electric vehicle s...
58m Jun 11, 2025
58m
117: On The Pull: A Conversation With Adam Bishop
This week, JC and Paul chat with Adam Bishop, two-time Britain's Strongest Man winner and IVECO brand ambassador. Adam discusses his journey from rugby player to strongman competitor, his remarkable recovery from an Achilles injury, the occasional novelty of eating "normal human food", and his partnership with IVECO, including setting a world record by pulling over 150 tons with an electric IVE...
52m Jun 04, 2025
52m
116: Getting Tyre Sustainability and Cost Back on Track with ENSO
This week JC and Paul are joined by Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, the founder and CEO of Enso Tyres—the world's first premium tyre brand dedicated to electric vehicles. G shares his journey of revolutionising the tyre industry by creating products that not only extend EV range but also significantly reduce tyre pollution. With a staggering 2 billion tires produced annually worldwide, G reveals how Ens...
1hr 2m May 28, 2025
1hr 2m
115: Power Play: Chris Hazell on Felten, ChargeQube
This week JC and Paul are joined by Chris Hazell, Co-founder & CEO of Fellten, a pioneering force in the EV space. Chris takes us behind the scenes of their brand new ChargeQube - a mobile Battery Energy Storage System that could transform how fleets approach EV charging by combining second-life Tesla batteries with intelligent power management to deliver rapid charging capabilities without the...
1hr 7m May 21, 2025
1hr 7m
114: Kirsty Pendelton: AA and Green Fleet EV Champion
This week we chat with Kirsty Pendleton, Head of B2B Marketing at The AA, celebrating the organisation's 120-year legacy while exploring their evolution toward sustainable transport. Kirsty shares insights on balancing The AA's trusted heritage with innovation, discusses their journey toward electrification, and reveals how they're supporting businesses transitioning to EVs. With 25 years at Th...
49m May 14, 2025
49m
113: Wind To Wheel: John Fairlie on The UK’s Renewable Future
This week we welcome John Fairlie, Managing Director of AW Renewables (part of AW Group), who shares his journey in revolutionising renewable energy. John discusses his pioneering "wind-to-wheel" project at Checkley Wood—the first site directly connecting wind turbines to EV charging stations, offering power at just 39p/kWh! With 20% of the UK's onshore wind development under his belt, John exp...
1hr May 07, 2025
1hr
112: Electrifying Legacy: Chris Welch on Running a Near-Century Old Organisation
This week Paul and John welcome Chris Welch, Managing Director of Welch Group. As a fourth-generation leader of this 91-year-old family business, Chris shares how his transport company has become a pioneering "lighthouse" in the logistics decarbonisation journey. With refreshing candour, he reveals how their innovative approach to electric vehicles, charging infrastructure sharing, and communit...
57m Apr 30, 2025
57m
111: Fraser Crichton Returns
This week we welcome back Fraser Crichton, Dundee City Council's award-winning Fleet Manager. Fraser discusses the evolution of Dundee's EV infrastructure over the past year, particularly highlighting the challenging transition from public-funded charging systems to public-private partnerships. He shares insights about the 20-year contracts being negotiated to ensure infrastructure sustainabili...
49m Apr 23, 2025
49m
110: Will Reeves: 25 Years of Innovation at The CV Show
Paul and JC sit down with Will Reeves, Commercial Vehicle and Bus, Coach & Minibus Section Manager at SMMT, for an energetic discussion about the upcoming Commercial Vehicle Show 2025. Will shares exciting insights about the show's 25th anniversary celebration, including new vehicle launches, the latest in zero-emission technology, and the event's evolution to meet industry challenges. From the...
39m Apr 16, 2025
39m
109: Ric Boullemier: Sustainable Dad
Paul and John sit down with Ric Boullemier, Director of Generate Media. Ric shares insights into his journey from journalism to founding a creative agency focused on telling compelling stories in the EV space. Ric's innovative approach to video content, his philosophy on finding everyone's "superpower," and his commitment to sustainability as a dad. With plenty of camera gear talk and laughs al...
49m Apr 09, 2025
49m
108: Hauling into the Future: Stephen Hards on the RHA's Mission to Support Road Transport
Hosts Paul and JC welcome Stephen Hards from the Road Haulage Association (RHA). Stephen shares his passion for the transportation industry and his journey from IT support to Head of Operations at the RHA. The conversation explores the organisation's frameworks, values, pillars, and priorities—that guides their support for the road haulage industry. Stephen also discusses the upcoming Commercia...
1hr Apr 02, 2025
1hr
107: Ian Mills: Engineering Passion and Spirit
John and Paul sit down with Ian Mills, Managing Director at RBW EV Cars. Ian shares his remarkable journey from a Lucas apprentice to motorsport engineering—including developing KERS systems for Formula One and Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes. He discusses how Spirit EV now offers comprehensive electric conversion solutions for classic vehicles, providing the engineering expertise and components need...
1hr 1m Mar 26, 2025
1hr 1m
106: Matt Eisenegger: Connecting Industry Dots at the CV Show
This week Paul and JC welcome Matt Eisenegger, a true commercial vehicle industry veteran and media partner for the CV Show 2025. Matt shares his journey from vehicle technician to publishing magnate, including founding CV Driver and Destination Net Zero magazines. The conversation explores the critical challenges facing the commercial vehicle sector as it transitions to decarbonisation, highli...
51m Mar 19, 2025
51m
105: Jonas Andresen: How Spirii is Revolutionising EV Charging
In this episode Paul and John welcome Jonas Andresen, Senior Key Account Manager at Spirii, to discuss innovative solutions in EV charging infrastructure. Jonas shares insights into Spirii's evolution from a Danish startup to a major player in European EV charging management. The conversation explores how Spirii is revolutionising charge point sharing, particularly for commercial fleets and bus...
45m Mar 12, 2025
45m
104: Decarbonising Heavy Transport with Josh Spencer
Paul and Sara welcome Josh Spencer, EV & Sustainability Manager at Ford and Slater. Josh shares his journey from truck mechanic to EV champion, discussing how the electric HGV market is evolving with costs dropping and capabilities improving. He offers insights into the Zero Emission Haulage and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) project delivering 300+ electric trucks to UK roads this year. ...
49m Mar 05, 2025
49m
103: Mike Costain: Bringing 'Oomph' to the Commercial Vehicle Show
This week we welcome Mike Costain, Director at Nineteen Group, the new event partners bringing fresh energy to the UK's Commercial Vehicle Show. Mike shares his vision for revitalising this prestigious 25-year-old event with more "oomph"—combining serious business with an element of fun. Discover how the show is embracing the electric transition while balancing current market realities. Learn a...
31m Feb 26, 2025
31m
102: Abby Chicken: Hatching a plan for decarbonisation at Openreach
Abby Chicken, Head of Sustainability at Openreach discusses leading one of the UK's largest fleet transitions to electric vehicles. Abby shares insights into Openreach's recent order of 3,500 electric vans and the challenges of implementing EVs across their nationwide engineer fleet. With her unique background in retail, sustainability, and passion for wildlife conservation, Abby brings a fresh...
51m Feb 19, 2025
51m
101: Musing on Gary Comerford
John and Paul sit down with Gary Comerford, host of the EV Musings podcast and part-time actor. Beyond his EV expertise, Gary shares fascinating stories from his acting career, including roles in major productions like War Horse, Rush, and The Crown. The conversation explores Gary's journey from IT consultant to podcast host, his mission to educate people about EVs, and his commitment to tackli...
59m Feb 12, 2025
59m
100: Episode 100! Jonny Berry
In this milestone 100th episode, JC and Paul welcome EV Café founder Johnny Berry—an elusive figure on the podcast! Johnny shares his journey from record-breaking Nissan LEAF salesperson to becoming an influential figure in fleet electrification. He opens up about how personal challenges shaped his leadership style, his commitment to sustainability, and the unexpected mental health benefits tha...
49m Feb 05, 2025
49m
99: Investing in Engineers: Glenn Saint on Arrival's Legacy and the Art of Problem-Solving
This week we sit down with Glenn Saint, a pioneering figure in the UK's electric vehicle industry. As a former Chief at Arrival, Glenn shares candid insights about the company's innovative journey, its eventual challenges, and its lasting impact on the EV landscape. Now at Prospedia Capital, Glenn offers valuable perspectives on the future of sustainable transport, the power of learning from mi...
1hr 12m Jan 29, 2025
1hr 12m
98: Leadership, Vulnerability and Electric Innovation with Carla Detrieux
Volta Trucks' Director of Business Development Carla Detrieux masterfully flips the script on Paul Kirby and John Curtis, transforming a standard interview into a mutual exploration of authenticity and purpose. Known to her family as "Vegeta" for her passionate temperament (after the Dragon Ball Z character), Carla shares her journey from hospitality to EV innovation, including the dramatic mom...
54m Jan 22, 2025
54m
97: Melanie Shufflebotham: Inside Zapmap’s EV Revolution
We sit down with “EV royalty” Melanie Shufflebotham, Co-founder and COO at Zapmap. Discover how Melanie’s passion for sustainability led her to transform a simple spreadsheet into the UK’s leading EV charging platform, now trusted by thousands of drivers every day. She explains how Zapmap compiles live data from over 70,000 charge points, offering users real-time insights to help them conquer r...
49m Jan 15, 2025
49m
96: Unpacking Climate Change with Professor Richard Allan
Join John Curtis and Paul Kirby as they welcome Professor Richard Allan from the University of Reading—a leading voice in climate science and contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Together, they explore how climate change data translates into tangible impacts on our daily lives and the essential role that decarbonising transport plays in mitigating global heating....
55m Jan 08, 2025
55m
95: New Year Special!
Join the whole EV Café crew as we ring in the New Year with a look forward to 2025!
49m Jan 01, 2025
49m
94: Christmas Special!
Cosy up with the whole team this Christmas Day as we take a look back at the year that was 2024.
50m Dec 25, 2024
50m
93: Phil Clarke - Fuelling Fleets Beyond The Grid
This week on The EV Café Takeaway, hosts Paul Kirby and Sara Sloman sit down with Phil Clarke, Founder and CEO of TUAL, to explore groundbreaking solutions to the challenges of commercial fleet electrification. Phil reveals how TUAL’s power bank-based charging infrastructure provides flexibility where grid capacity is limited, turning even the toughest-to-reach locations into EV-friendly hubs. ...
56m Dec 18, 2024
56m
92: Amy Carter on Electrifying DAF Trucks
Join hosts Sara Sloman and Sam Clarke on this week’s episode of The EV Café Takeaway as they welcome Amy Carter, EV Operations Manager at DAF Trucks. Amy shares her inspiring journey from mechanic to leading EV initiatives, while also opening up about her personal experience with transition and the resilience it required. Dive into discussions on key projects like the Z HIT program, advancement...
45m Dec 11, 2024
45m
91: Powering Up EV Payments: Inside Corpay with Tom Rowlands
In this episode of The EV Café Takeaway, hosts John Curtis and Sara Sloman sit down with Tom Rowlands, Managing Director of Global EV Solutions at Corpay. They explore how Corpay integrates various brands like Allstar, PlugSurfing, TravelCard, and Mina to offer comprehensive payment solutions in the electric vehicle industry. Tom discusses maintaining a startup culture within a global corporati...
47m Dec 04, 2024
47m
90: Startups and Sustainability: Taco Olthoff’s Electric Journey
In this episode of the EV Café Takeaway, hosts John Curtis and Paul Kirby sit down with Taco Olthoff, Director of the Electric Vehicle Unit at Bridgestone Webfleet. From his beginnings as a saxophonist and former bankruptcy lawyer, Taco shares his unique journey into the world of EV fleet management. Discover how his passion for building and creating drives innovation at Webfleet, helping fleet...
47m Nov 27, 2024
47m
89: Matthew Adams: Powering the Future of EV Policy
Join hosts John Curtis and Sara Sloman in this insightful episode as they sit down with Matt Adams, Transport Policy Manager at the Renewable Energy Association (REA). Discover how the REA advocates for over 500 companies in the renewable energy sector and plays a pivotal role in shaping EV policy. Matt shares his journey from studying politics to influencing EV infrastructure and discusses the...
46m Nov 20, 2024
46m
88: Rock, Race, and Recharge: A Conversation with Rick Parfitt Jr
Join John Curtis and Paul Kirby as they sit down with the multifaceted Rick Parfitt Jr—musician, racing champion, and electric vehicle enthusiast. Rick shares his exhilarating journey from the racetrack to the stage, revealing how his passion for cars evolved from classic engines to electric powerhouses like his Porsche Taycan. Dive into Rick’s insights on sustainability, the future of EV techn...
1hr 12m Nov 13, 2024
1hr 12m
87: Naomi Nye: A Journey of Resilience and Innovation in EV
In this episode, Naomi Nye of Drax Energy Solutions shares her transformative journey from finance to a leadership role in EV infrastructure, blending technical expertise with a customer-focused mindset. Naomi reflects on how early personal hardships, like a serious accident at sixteen, taught her resilience and shaped her proactive, collaborative approach. With Drax, Naomi advances renewable, ...
54m Nov 06, 2024
54m
86: Dr Isobel Sheldon OBE: Breaking Ground in Battery Innovation
Dr. Isobel Sheldon OBE, a self-taught pioneer in battery technology, has dedicated her career to advancing sustainable transportation and cleaner air. Driven by childhood asthma and a fascination with electric vehicles, she broke into battery engineering without a traditional Ph.D., instead receiving an honorary doctorate recognising her lifelong contributions. Her journey spans early plug-in h...
50m Oct 30, 2024
50m
85: Jess Shanahan: Championing EV Motorsport
Jess Shanahan takes us through her exciting career spanning motorsport and journalism, up to recently becoming a team principal in the E-Scooter Championship. After a transformative 2,500-mile EV road trip, Jess transitioned into the e-mobility space, focusing on sustainability and combating EV misinformation. Now, as the head of RM Electric, she blends her motorsport experience with her passio...
55m Oct 23, 2024
55m
84: Adam Hall, Drax Electric Vehicles
Join Paul Kirby and John Curtis as they welcome Adam Hall, Director of Energy Services at Drax. They explore how Drax has evolved from traditional coal power generation to pioneering sustainable biomass energy solutions. Adam discusses Drax Electric Vehicles’ comprehensive services, offering businesses a full turnkey solution for fleet electrification—from vehicle suitability assessments to lon...
45m Oct 16, 2024
45m
83: Transport, Energy, and a Peachy Future: Bridging the Gap with Alec Peachey
In this episode of The EV Café Takeaway, hosts Paul and John chat with Alec Peachey, founder of the popular industry news website Transport and Energy and annual event Transport & Energy Forum. Alec shares his journey from local journalism to uniting the transport and energy sectors. After facing redundancy during the pandemic, he turned challenges into opportunities, fostering collaboration in...
49m Oct 09, 2024
49m
82: From Trials to Triumphs: The EV Rally with Colin Boyton
Join hosts Paul Kirby and John Curtis as they sit down with Colin Boyton from GreenFleet, one of the masterminds behind the EV Rally. Colin shares the inspiring story of how he pioneered the EV Rally of Scotland during COP26 and grew it into a major event showcasing electric vehicle capabilities and infrastructure across the UK. Beyond his professional achievements, Colin opens up about his per...
58m Oct 02, 2024
58m