#148 - Tim Bailey | Northgate

Episode notes

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/

#147 - Every Magic Wand Wish of 2025

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

#146 - Lyndsey Hetherington | Drax Electric 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)

#145 - Dale Eynon, Fleet Consultant

Published 17 Dec 2025

This week, the EV Café team goes live at Fleet Mobility Live with a very special guest: Dale Eynon, former Head of Fleet at the Environment Agency and now a semi-retired consultant, passionate environmentalist, and mentor to the next generation of fleet leaders. With over 20 years’ experience managing 10,000+ diverse assets—from cars, vans and HGVs to marine vessels and heavy plant—Dale shares his journey from incident management into fleet, and the steep learning curve that followed. He reflects on: * The evolution of electric fleets – from early Nissan Leafs and Mitsubishi i-MiEvs to today’s 500-mile EVs * Winning hearts and minds to accelerate EV adoption and break down early myths * The van and 4x4 challenge – why rural operations, towing, and depot-free fleets remain one of the final frontiers for electrification * The power of BIK incentives and TCO modelling in driving fleet transitions * Culture, people, and resilience – key lessons from leading through change Dale also opens up about his “semi-early retirement”, his love of low-carbon travel, and his commitment to supporting the next generation of fleet professionals through the AFP and industry mentorship. If you want insight from someone who’s seen it all in the shift to zero emissions—and still believes the best is yet to come—this episode is for you. ## Dale Eynon (LinkedIn) [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-eynon-252a644](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-eynon-252a644)

#144 - Rebecca Denyer | Sebring Works

Published 10 Dec 2025

This week, Paul and Sara (a.k.a. The Sazmanator) sit down with Rebecca Denyer, co-founder of Sebring Works, the innovative British company hand-building retro-inspired electric sports cars! Rebecca shares the remarkable journey from a classic car enthusiast and accountant to an EV pioneer, creating stunning 1950s and 60s-style electric cars that combine nostalgia, performance, and sustainability. Discover how Sebring Works: * Builds handcrafted, zero-emission sports cars on their own EV skateboard platform * Balances classic car charm with modern reliability and 240+ miles of real-world range * Champions collaboration in the low-volume automotive sector * Explores sustainable manufacturing, including plant-fibre car bodies grown locally * Brings joy to drivers with what they now call the “Sebring Smile” This episode is all about innovation, resilience, and the power of pursuing your passion responsibly—while leaving a legacy for the next generation. If you’ve ever dreamed of a classic car without the oil leaks, breakdowns, or guilt, this one will make you smile. ## Rebecca Denyer (LinkedIn) [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-denyer/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-denyer/) ## Sebring Works [https://www.sebring-design.com](https://www.sebring-design.com/)

Episode notes

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/

#148 - Tim Bailey | Northgate

Episode notes

We cover:

Tim Bailey (LinkedIn)

More episodes

#147 - Every Magic Wand Wish of 2025#147 - Every Magic Wand Wish of 2025

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#145 - Dale Eynon, Fleet Consultant#145 - Dale Eynon, Fleet Consultant

#144 - Rebecca Denyer | Sebring Works#144 - Rebecca Denyer | Sebring Works

Our Partners

#148 - Tim Bailey | Northgate

Episode notes

We cover:

Tim Bailey (LinkedIn)

More episodes

#147 - Every Magic Wand Wish of 2025#147 - Every Magic Wand Wish of 2025

#146 - Lyndsey Hetherington | Drax Electric Vehicles#146 - Lyndsey Hetherington | Drax Electric Vehicles

#145 - Dale Eynon, Fleet Consultant#145 - Dale Eynon, Fleet Consultant

#144 - Rebecca Denyer | Sebring Works#144 - Rebecca Denyer | Sebring Works