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The EV Café is extremely grateful to our partners for their support in making this happen.

















By The EV Café Team
By The EV Café Team

By The EV Café Team
By The EV Café Team

By Paul Kirby
The extension of the plug-in van and truck grant is undeniably good news. It provides the financial certainty needed to spark a new wave of electric vehicle adoption in the commercial sector. However, for this momentum to be sustained, the government must now act with the same urgency to build the infrastructure that will enable these vehicles to be a productive and profitable part of the UK's economy.

By John Curtis
The EV Café Deliver The First Dedicated Electric-Only Leasing Comparison Platform

By John Curtis
Car buyers can access grants of up to £3,750 for EVs with a list price of £37,000 or below. The highest grant amounts are reserved for the greenest models, but China may lose out.

By The EV Café Team
The EV Cafe is deeply concerned by the recent passing of President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a piece of legislation that signals a stark and regrettable shift away from a sustainable energy future for the United States.

Published 14 Jan 2026
Paul and JC sit down with Caroline Watson, Director of Transport at C40 Cities—a global network of mayors leading the charge toward a zero-emission future. Caroline shares her incredible journey in the world of transport decarbonisation, from her early days at the Energy Saving Trust to spearheading international initiatives that are transforming city mobility. She reveals how C40 supports nearly 100 cities worldwide in tackling climate change, rolling out zero-emission buses and freight corridors, and creating healthier, more liveable urban spaces. ## Highlights include: * The story behind C40 Cities and its evolution from London’s climate initiative to a global force. * How cities like Shenzhen, Oslo, and Amsterdam are setting the standard for electrification and clean transport. * Groundbreaking projects like the ZEBRA initiative in Latin America and electric freight corridors in India. * The power of city policies, heat-mapping for EV infrastructure, and the vital role of public transport in reducing congestion and emissions. * Caroline’s personal passion for climate action, her vision for reaching the 1.5°C target, and why tangible solutions like electric vehicles keep her motivated. ## Caroline Watson (LinkedIn) [https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-watson-53609125](https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-watson-53609125) ## C40 Cities [https://www.c40.org](https://www.c40.org/)

Published 07 Jan 2026
Kicking off 2026, Paul and John are joined by one of the true legends of the UK fleet and rental industry – Tim Bailey. Fresh into retirement after a 37-year career spanning Alamo, National Car & Rental, Europcar, Redde, and Northgate. Tim shares his fascinating journey from petrol pump attendant in Dublin to leading fleets, shaping policy, and guiding the UK’s transition to electric vehicles—particularly vans. ## We cover: * Falling into fleet: how Tim accidentally discovered his lifelong career. * The EV van challenge: why decarbonising the commercial vehicle sector is so critical, and what must change. * Hall of Fame moments: how it felt to be recognised by Fleet News and the BVRLA for outstanding contribution. * Leadership lessons & life perspective: from navigating 9/11 and business administration in Europe to balancing family and career. * A wish for the industry: Tim’s EV Café Magic Wand moment for the future of zero-emission transport. ## Tim Bailey (LinkedIn) [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-bailey-9454502/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-bailey-9454502/)

Published 31 Dec 2025
In this special episode, we take a look back at all the EV Café Takeaway guests of 2025. We hand the wand (or seashell, block of wood, or lightning bolt…) to pioneers, collaborators, and innovators across the electric vehicle and sustainability world, asking them what their one wish would be… decarbonisation * 💰 **Professor Richard Allan** (University of Reading) 🪄 Make the full value of things we buy apparent * 🚗 **Melanie Shufflebotham** (ZapMap) 🪄 For there to be 10 available models of electric cars with at least 250 mile range for under £15,000 * 🌳 **Carla Detrieux** (Volta Trucks - now MAN) 🪄 Sustainability and for people to make the right choices * 😇 **Glenn Saint** (Prospedia Media) 🪄 For people to focus on the requirement when solving a problem * 🌡️ **Jonny Berry** (Novuna Vehicle Solutions) 🪄 Stop climate change * 📺 **Gary Comerford** (EV Musings) 🪄 High visibility public service announcements that dispel myths about EVs * 👶 **Mike Costain** (Nineteen Group) 🪄 Wants his kids to be happy * 💥 **Abby Chicken** (Openreach) 🪄 Wants to explode certain people * 🗣️ **Josh Spencer** (Ford & Slater) 🪄 Compel people better into EV adoption * 🔌 **Jonas Andersen** (Spirii) 🪄 More grid connections * 🚛 **Matt Eisenegger** (CV Driver) 🪄 Recognition for commercial vehicle drivers * 📈 **Ian Mills** (Spirit EV) 🪄 Wants his business to grow * 🧠 **Stephen Hards** (RHA) 🪄 Mental Health awareness * 🙂 **Rick Boullemier** (Generate Media) 🪄 Don’t be a prat * 🔋 **Will Reeves** (SMMT) 🪄 Charging infrastructure proliferation * 🧑⚖️ **Fraser Crichton** (Dundee City Council) 🪄 An holistic approach to renewable energy in government * 🚛 **Chris Welch** (Welch Group) 🪄 More logistics operators to embrace renewables * 📣 **John Fairlie** (AW Group) 🪄 Champion positive change * 🖖 **Chris Hazell** (Felten) 🪄 Wants to bring about a global government * 🛞 **Gunnlaugur Erlendsson** (Enso Tyres) 🪄 For more tyre companies to embrace sustainability * 🧑🍳 **Adam Bishop** (Strong Man / IVECO) 🪄 Personal chef * 🤝 **Ian Plumber** (Auto Trader) 🪄 Better inclusivity and representation in the industry * 🔋 **Rosario Surace** (Drax) 🪄 Getting power locally - not nationally * 👨⚖️ **Niall Riddell** (Paua) 🪄 Charging regulation should only be passed by those who will use it * 🚗 **James Rooney** (Network Rail) 🪄 Flying cars * ⭐️ **Brett Howton** (IVECO) 🪄 Wants to give people confidence * 🧱 **Trevor Palmer** (EV Blocks) 🪄 More of the same * 🧑⚖️ **Sarah Papamichalis** (Milence) 🪄 User-centric legislation * 🚑 **Jack Cousens** (The AA) 🪄 A greater focus on road safety * 🧠 **Tom Pearson** (CPD Bodies) 🪄 For people to be able to talk openly about mental health * 🔓 **Tim Campbell** (Campbell's Consultancy) 🪄 Unlock electrification and renewables in the truck industry * 💡 **Vicky Edmonds** (EVA England) 🪄 For electrification to be done already * 📍 **Faisan Ahmed** (First Bus) 🪄 A global platform for charging * 📉 **Tim Morris** (Europcar) 🪄 Fix the economy * 🤔 **Andrees Blin** (ChargePoint) 🪄 For car buyers to have an open mind * 📈 **Chris Bunce** (IVECO) 🪄 Stability in the market * 🚐 **Stephen Briers** (Bauer Media Group) 🪄 Van electrification * 🍷 **Evelyn Tourish** (Europcar) 🪄 Personal sommelier * 🙋♀️ **Michelle Breffitt** (Women Drive Electric) 🪄 Better vehicle experiences for women * 🎓 **Paul Hollic** (AFP) 🪄 AFP apprenticeship program * ❗️ **Philip Morris** (IVECO) 🪄 Willingness for change in the industry * 🇬🇧 **Chris Demitriou** (Islington Council) 🪄 For more London authorities to embrace decarbonisation * 🚗 **Stuart Murphy** (Royal Mail) 🪄 A family car with 400 mile range * 💬 **Lisa Thomas** (Motability Operations) 🪄 Awareness of Motability Operations' positive impact * 🤗 **Nigel Allsop** (BT) 🪄 For everyone to be healthy, prosperous, and to look out for each other * 🤝 **Michael Braybrook** (Zaptec) 🪄 More synergy between OEMs and utility companies * 🧒 **Srah Gray** (Dawnsongroup Vans) 🪄 Wants her daughter to be happy * 😖 **Rebecca Denyer** (Seabring Works) 🪄 Alleviation of frustration for things outside her control * 🏆 **Dale Eynon** (Fleet Consultant) 🪄 Better recognition for the industry * 🙌 **Lyndsey Hetherington** (Drax Electric Vehicles) 🪄 Let people be themselves * ⚡️ **Paul Kirby** 🪄 Certainty from Government * ⚡️**Sam Clarke** 🪄 More EV registrations, proliferation of EHGVs, for government to listen to the science * ⚡️ **Sara Sloman** 🪄 Let's help each other to succeed * ⚡️ **John Curtis** 🪄 Price parity between EVs / ICE vehicles

Published 24 Dec 2025
This week Paul and John welcome Lyndsey Hetherington, EV Charging Specialist at Drax Electric Vehicles. Lyndsey shares her unique journey from starting out in van and truck marketing to becoming a key player in helping fleets transition to zero-emission transport. She reflects on her formative years at Elmtronics, the challenges of building trust in a new industry, and how she balances career ambitions with the joys and chaos of family life. Discover: * The North East’s pioneering role as the home of EVs in the UK. * How real relationships, trust, and open advice can drive fleet electrification. * Insights into Drax’s renewable energy mission and the truth behind the headlines. * Lyndsey’s personal journey of growth and embracing change. * Why her magic wand wish is simply for a world filled with positive vibes and less negativity around EVs! ### Lyndsey Hetherington (LinkedIn) [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndseyhetherington/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndseyhetherington/) ### Drax Electric Vehicles (LinkedIn) [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/drax-electric-vehicles/?originalSubdomain\=uk](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/drax-electric-vehicles/?originalSubdomain=uk)



🗞️ From 23 Jan, 2026
