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:

Plus, Faizan picks up the EV Café Magic Wand to reveal his wish for the future of charging infrastructure.

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.

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and join EVA England to support the voice of EV drivers!

👉 Connect with Vicky Edmunds and EVA England: 

EVA England’s socials:

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.

🚚 The evolution of electrification in heavy trucks  

⚡ The challenges operators face in starting their EV journey  

🌍 Decarbonisation vs. electrification—what’s the real goal?  

📊 TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) and why it’s key for fleet operators  

🍏 A surprising side hustle—Tim’s sustainable orchard and apple juice production!

Plus, we hand Tim the EV Café magic wand to grant one industry-changing wish. His answer might just inspire you.

Whether you’re a fleet manager, EV enthusiast, or just curious about the future of transport, this episode is packed with knowledge, passion, and a dash of fun.

🔗 Get in touch with Tim at Campbell’s Consultancy  

📞 Call him directly: 0776 999 1918

Listen now and join the charge towards a zero-emission future! ⚡

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?  

🌟 A Candid Conversation:  

Tom opens up about his personal journey, discussing his experiences with autism and ADHD, leadership lessons from sports and life, and the importance of mental health. His heartfelt reflections on mentorship, personal growth, and creating meaningful impact will resonate far beyond the EV industry.  

🗣️ “This is more than a podcast. It’s a genuine connection with a leader whose story will inspire you.” – John  Curtis

https://cpdbodies.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasgpearson/

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.

🎧 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch us on YouTube.  

💛 Not an AA member yet? Learn more about how they support millions of motorists at theaa.com.  

🌍 For more episodes, visit theevcafe.org and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates.  

“It’s not just about driving—it’s about keeping everyone on the road safe.” 🚘✨

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-cousens/

https://www.theaa.com

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:

We were inspired by Sarah’s authenticity, resilience, and drive to make the EV world a better place—one charging hub at a time.

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahpapamichalis/

https://milence.com

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 innovative business. Discover how he tackled industry inefficiencies, navigated launching during the COVID, and expanded EV Blocks internationally.  

Plus, Trevor reveals his one wish with the EV Café’s magic wand and hints at future ventures beyond EV Blocks.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-palmer-b7067aa7/

https://evblocks.com

Listen now to uncover the human side of EV innovation and why Trevor’s story is more than just a business success—it’s about passion, purpose, and problem-solving.  

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 world of electric trucks. 🚚✨ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-howton-729780b5/

https://www.youtube.com/@theevcafe/videos

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 back small van adoption, and why EVs are proving more reliable than traditional vehicles in real-world fleet operations. From his pioneering work at British Gas to managing the UK's biggest landowner's fleet, discover how a self-proclaimed petrol head became one of the industry's most passionate EV advocates. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rooney-fafp-bb601861/

https://www.networkrail.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/clapped_out_to_classic/

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 processes to optimising charging networks, discover how innovative fintech solutions are breaking down barriers for companies transitioning to electric fleets. Whether you're a fleet manager, business owner, or EV enthusiast, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the future of commercial electric mobility and the infrastructure needed to support it.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nialliriddell/

https://www.paua.com