EV Café Takeaway

148: Tim Bailey | Northgate

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

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…

146: Lyndsey Hetherington | DRAX Electric Vehicles

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/ Drax Electric Vehicles (LinkedIn) https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/drax-electric-vehicles/?originalSubdomain=uk

145: Dale Eynon | Fleet Consultant

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

144: Rebecca Denyer | Sebring Works

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/?originalSubdomain=uk Sebring Works https://www.sebring-design.com