EV Café Takeaway

EV Café Takeaway
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Guests from across the EV industry will join the crew for The EV Café Takeaway, having candid conversations to highlight the work of the Electric Vehicle and Sustainability industry, to uncover stories that we all need to learn from and importantly, to understand something of the people behind the work.  The EV Café crew, have the wonderful privilege of talking to some amazing pioneers, innovators, and collaborators in our industry. The generosity, openness, honesty, and insight from our guests has been truly humbling and inspirational. We want as many people as possible, to be challenged and inspired by these podcasts.

  1. Stephen Clegg | Topspeed

    2d ago

    Stephen Clegg | Topspeed

    Stephen Clegg founded Topspeed Couriers in 1985 and has spent the last four years (and roughly £4.2 million) ripping diesel out of a logistics business that moves dangerous goods, radioactive material, and time-critical government samples around the UK. He sits down with Paul and John — joined briefly by Webfleet's Richard Parker before technology has other ideas — to talk about what actually happens when you stop talking about sustainability and start spending money on it. The conversation gets into the specifics most operators avoid: why carbon emissions go up before they come down, why a Carbon Reduction Plan is essentially accountancy with different units, and why the much-repeated line "you'll save money by going green" is closer to "we're going to the moon in ten years" than a business case.  Also covered: Winning a King's Award for Sustainability — and the team back at base who actually did the work Why maintenance costs dropped to roughly a quarter once the diesel vans left the workshop The shift to overnight, event-critical work and what that does to fleet utilisation Driving 15mph slower, the bonus scheme that makes it stick, and a 75% reduction in claims after rolling out AI-based driver and forward-facing cameras Public charging discounts that kick in when you're plugging in three or four times a day The smash advert theory of refined fuels (you'll need to hear it) One missing Volvo EX90, one nine-year-old Land Rover Discovery pressed back into service, and a verdict on 15-year-old in-cab tech A useful listen for anyone running a van fleet who's been told the transition is too hard, too expensive, or too early — and for anyone who's been told it'll be easy. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-clegg-b0179242/Website: https://www.topspeedcouriers.co.uk

    1 hr
  2. Dev Chana | E.ON Drive Infrastructure

    Jun 3

    Dev Chana | E.ON Drive Infrastructure

    Dev Chana started his career as an oil broker in Kensington. Three decades later he's running E.ON Drive Infrastructure in the UK, and his ambition for public charging is unexpectedly modest: he wants it to be boring. Reliable, standardised, unremarkable — the kind of refuel you don't post about because there's nothing to post. Paul and Sas catch up with Dev after first meeting his team in a rain-lashed Welsh car park during the EV Rally, where the curb-free bays, weighted cables and a small dog set the tone for what EDRI is quietly building. What's on the table: How a 10-person team has put 300+ bays in the ground in three years, when the industry average to install a *single* charger is 18 months The 39p–44p/kWh opening price, why there's no app or membership, and what "no faff, no fuss" actually costs to deliver Accessibility decisions baked in from day one: no bump stops, five-metre cables, CCTV on every HPC site, drainage that doesn't dump a puddle at the driver's feet Why EDRI tiers its food and beverage partners instead of building its own forecourts — and why two early petrol-station sites won't be repeated Vans now make up 25% of utilisation. Nobody invited them. What that's telling EDRI about the next phase of the network The Shanghai motor show, BYD's jumping supercar, and what the XPeng/VW partnership signals for European OEMs Dev's car-club mates who told him EVs would never take off — and have now switched their dailies The mentors who shaped him: Ann Buckingham, who pulled him into the sector, and his father's moral compass Where consolidation in the CPO market needs to land for the consumer experience to finally standardise Dev is a self-confessed petrolhead with a V8 from the early '90s and a 1981 classic with fewer than 15 survivors. He's also the leader most likely to tell you the industry isn't done learning — and to ask what *you'd* change. Guest: Dev Chana, Managing Director UK, E.ON Drive InfrastructureLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dev-chana-1228b94/Website: https://www.edri.com

    51 min
  3. Elliot Richards | Everything Electric APAC

    May 27

    Elliot Richards | Everything Electric APAC

    Paul and John take listeners deep into the heart of China’s electric vehicle revolution with Elliot Richards, long-time Shanghai resident and driving force behind of Everything Electric APAC. Fresh from Auto China, the conversation covers: How Elliot went from a three‑month visit to China to 20 years immersed in its EV industry. The rapid transformation of cities like Shenzhen to all‑electric taxis and buses in under two months. The rise of BYD, Geely, and other manufacturers, and how vertical integration is giving Chinese brands a massive global advantage. Game‑changing innovations in batteries, from sodium‑ion grid storage to five‑minute flash charging and upcoming solid‑state technology. Autonomous driving, LiDAR‑equipped vehicles, robo‑taxis, and cargo bots that already operate in Chinese cities. The commercial vehicle sector, battery swapping, and why Europe’s legacy manufacturers are now partnering—or being outpaced—by Chinese firms. Elliot Richards (LinkedIn)https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-richards/Everything Electric APAChttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVtrDZAqOFM8_wIZHHzsqvg

    57 min
  4. Tanya Sinclair | Electric Vehicles UK

    May 20

    Tanya Sinclair | Electric Vehicles UK

    This week: Tanya Sinclair, Chief Executive of Electric Vehicles UK (EVUK). Tanya shares how EVUK is tackling misinformation about electric vehicles, supporting both current and future drivers, and working with the wider e-mobility sector to build collaboration rather than competition. She discusses the organisation’s approach to public engagement, from hosting hands-on events like Everything Electric to street-level outreach in city centres and even driving Members of Parliament around Westminster in EVs. Tanya explains how EVUK balances the need to educate hesitant drivers with the fast-paced innovation happening in the industry, all while building a sustainable organisation from the ground up. There’s insights on: Combating EV myths and online “guff” Engaging millions of future EV drivers beyond the enthusiast bubble The role of vans, taxis, and fleets in accelerating adoption Collaborating across the entire e-mobility ecosystem Bringing joy and positivity to serious industry work Events mentioned include Everything Electric West (12–13 June in Cheltenham) and upcoming city-centre activations in Manchester, plus EVUK’s continued presence at political and industry showcases. Tanya Sinclair (LinkedIn)https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyasinclair/Electric Vehicles UKhttps://electricvehicles.ukEverything Electrichttps://uk.everythingelectric.show

    58 min
  5. Becky Lalanne | Voqa

    May 13

    Becky Lalanne | Voqa

    This week, Paul and Sara sit down with Becky Lalanne, Managing Director of Voqa, a new entrant in the UK EV charging market. Becky shares how Voqa is tackling the challenge of destination charging, introducing a 7–22kW AC charger with built-in contactless payments, designed to make charging effortless for drivers and more commercially viable for venues. The conversation covers: The frustrations of current destination charging and how Voqa addresses them Why tethered AC chargers and tap-to-pay improve the driver experience Voqa's approach to designing its own hardware for reliability and ease of maintenance The revenue-share model and business case for hotels, co-working spaces, and leisure venues Insights into Becky's career journey from Red Bull cliff diving events to EV innovation They also discuss future-proofing the UK charging network, the role of installers, and why putting the driver at the heart of design is key to accelerating electrification. Becky Lalanne (LinkedIn)https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lalanne/Voqahttps://www.voqa.com

    53 min
  6. Mike Seymour | TrueCharge

    May 6

    Mike Seymour | TrueCharge

    This week we sit down with Mike Seymour, the driving force behind TrueCharge, part of the TrueForm Group. With 50 years of experience in street furniture—think bus shelters, tram stops, and digital displays—TrueForm is now turning its expertise to the EV world, focusing on the often-overlooked infrastructure that protects and enhances charging sites. Mike dives into: Why many UK charging sites are underused, exposed, or already looking tired. How protecting EV chargers with shelters, canopies, and smart street furniture improves driver experience, utilisation, and long-term ROI. Lessons from his background in the military, sales, and early EV adoption—and how those experiences shaped his approach to business and problem-solving. The importance of moving the industry from talking and over-promising to actually delivering sustainable infrastructure. If you’ve ever arrived at a windswept charger in the rain and thought, “There must be a better way,” this conversation shows why the solution is already here—and why it matters for the future of EV adoption. Mike Seymour (LinkedIn)https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeseymour1/TrueChargehttps://www.truecharge.co.uk

    53 min
  7. Peter Heath | PLP

    Apr 29

    Peter Heath | PLP

    Paul and John sit down with Peter Heath of PLP—the “biggest company you’ve never heard of,” supplying critical infrastructure for energy networks, EV charging, and solar carports. From recycled-plastic EV foundations that remove the need for concrete to helical-screw solar carports that can be installed in a single day, Peter explains how PLP is cutting carbon while enabling the transition to net zero.   The conversation moves beyond technology into Peter’s personal world—his love of the countryside, commitment to environmental action, late ADHD diagnosis, and the experience of adopting his daughter. He reflects on risk-taking, resilience, and the importance of leaving the planet in better shape for the next generation.   Peter Heathhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/peterheath1/ PLP EVhttps://www.ev.plp.com

    48 min
  8. Tom Weiser & Kevin Murphy | Nerpa Travel

    Apr 22

    Tom Weiser & Kevin Murphy | Nerpa Travel

    This episode dives into the world of electric adventure travel with Tom Weiser and Kevin Murphy, co-founders of Nerpa Travel. Their company crafts low-impact, high-adventure trips that swap petrol-powered bangers for electric motorbikes and e‑bikes, combining sustainable transport with genuine cultural immersion.   Tom and Kev share:   How COVID and COP26 inspired them to launch Nerpa Travel   The reality of running EV adventures in places like Vietnam, Thailand, and Wales   Charging challenges, public transport hacks, and “squeaky bum” moments on the road Why small group travel and community connections are at the heart of their model   Plans for upcoming adventures, including potential West Africa expeditions   From mountain passes in rural Vietnam to the slow travel benefits of local buses, this conversation explores how EV travel can be both practical and transformative.   Find out more at https://www.nerpatravel.com and discover their upcoming Lost in Vietnam trip, 3–13 December 2026.

    46 min
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About

Guests from across the EV industry will join the crew for The EV Café Takeaway, having candid conversations to highlight the work of the Electric Vehicle and Sustainability industry, to uncover stories that we all need to learn from and importantly, to understand something of the people behind the work.  The EV Café crew, have the wonderful privilege of talking to some amazing pioneers, innovators, and collaborators in our industry. The generosity, openness, honesty, and insight from our guests has been truly humbling and inspirational. We want as many people as possible, to be challenged and inspired by these podcasts.

Information

  • Creator
    EV Café Takeaway
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    171
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    EV Café Takeaway

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