Chris Demetriou, (Assistant Director of Corporate Fleet, Transport and Accessible Community Transport at Islington Borough Council) has spent over 24 years in the public sector and now leads one of the UK’s most ambitious local authority fleet decarbonisation programmes.  

Chris shares his journey from a two-week temp job to becoming a driving force behind Islington’s transition to electric vehicles, with over 140 EVs in operation and innovative vehicle-to-grid (V2G) trials underway. He opens up about the challenges of electrifying large municipal fleets, from refuse trucks to community transport buses, and why collaboration and infrastructure sharing between councils is critical for resilience and improved air quality.  

Beyond the technology, Chris speaks passionately about air quality, mental health, and resilience, drawing on his own experiences with asthma, running 11 miles to work daily, and leading by example in the fight for a zero-emission future.  

If you want to hear how a local authority can become a genuine pioneer in fleet electrification, and why bold leadership, persistence, and innovation matter, this episode is for you.  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-demetriou-6a716a5a/?originalSubdomain=uk

This week, Phil Morris - Key Account Manager at Iveco on the ever-evolving world of zero and low-emission commercial vehicles.  

Phil shares his journey from working in his family’s butcher shop to becoming a passionate advocate for sustainable transport solutions. He takes us behind the scenes of heavy vehicle sales, explaining the jargon of six-by-fours, fifth wheels, and CNG. We dive deep into the future of decarbonising fleets, discussing the roles of battery-electric trucks, hydrogen, CNG/LNG, and HVO, and how operators can make a real difference now—not just in 2035 or 2040.  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-morris-30173463/

We dive into a conversation with Paul Hollick, Chairman of the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) and CEO of Lightfoot.  

Paul shares his journey from a young, unconfident teenager in the New Forest to a dynamic leader driving the UK fleet industry toward a zero-emission future. He opens up about:  

From his candid reflections on leadership and family life to his vision for the fleet industry’s apprenticeship programme, Paul’s story is packed with wisdom and purpose.  

If you’re in the fleet, EV, or sustainability space—or just love hearing from people making a real impact—this episode will leave you informed and inspired.  

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

https://www.theafp.co.uk

https://www.lightfoot.co.uk

In this inspiring episode of The EV Café Takeaway Podcast, we welcome Michelle Breffitt, co-founder of Women Drive Electric, the thriving community dedicated to helping women confidently make the switch to electric vehicles.  

Michelle shares her journey from starting in the automotive world as a teenager to becoming a leading advocate for inclusivity, EV adoption, and authentic conversations around driving electric. She opens up about:  

Join hosts Paul and John for a conversation that is equal parts insightful, funny, and motivating—spotlighting how collaboration between communities, allies, and the wider EV industry can accelerate positive change.  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-breffitt-automotive-professional/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wde⚡%EF%B8%8F/

https://womendriveelectric.co.uk

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Authority-Gap-women-still-seriously/dp/1784165883/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Invisible-Women-Exposing-World-Designed/dp/1784706280/ref=asc_df_1784706280

If you want to see the automotive world become more inclusive, informed, and electrified—this episode is for you.  

Paul and John sit down with the unstoppable Evelyn Tourish, Customer Experience Director at Europcar Mobility Group UK.

With 32 years at Europcar, Evelyn shares her journey from rental sales agent to leading the company’s customer experience and spearheading the electrification of their UK network. Her passion for EV adoption, customer care, and building resilient teams shines through as she talks about:  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelyn-tourish-16929824/

https://www.europcar-mobility-group.com

Paul and John sit down with Stephen Briers, the highly respected Group Editor for Fleet News, AM, and Rail at Bauer Media. Stephen brings a wealth of insight into journalism, industry objectivity, and the fast-moving world of fleet electrification.  

Plus, Stephen takes on the EV Café Magic Wand Challenge, wishing for the breakthroughs our industry needs most (and a little help for Bristol Rovers along the way!).  

If you’re passionate about sustainable transport, fleet management, and the people shaping the EV revolution, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and a few laughs.  

🎧 Listen now for industry wisdom, magic wand wishes, and why Fleet News’ newsletter is a must-read for every fleet professional.  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-briers-b1986415/

https://www.fleetnews.co.uk

https://www.bauermedia.com

https://fleetandmobilitylive.com

This week JC and Sara (stepping in with her best Paul Kirby impression!) are joined by the brilliant Chris Bunce, Network Sales Manager for Iveco’s Light Business Line in the UK and Ireland.  

Chris takes us behind the job title to share a refreshingly open and often hilarious conversation about:  

From heartfelt reflections on resilience and mental health to light-hearted tales of EV rallies, strongman brand ambassador Adam Bishop, and even Driving Miss Daisy moments on the M40, this episode is packed with insight, humour, and inspiration.  

If you love stories that go beyond the job title and showcase the humans powering the EV revolution, this one’s for you.  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-bunce-53972080

https://www.iveco.com/uk/

This week, Paul and John are joined by Andreas Blin, Director Segments and Partnerships - CPOs, Fuel&Convenience and Solution Partners at ChargePoint, and self-proclaimed enabler of the electric mobility revolution.  

Andreas takes us on a journey from his early career in plastics and cheese-making machinery (yes, really!) to becoming a passionate leader in the EV charging industry. He shares how he found purpose in electrifying transport, his philosophy of understanding the “core” of complex problems, and why he believes caring about customers is the ultimate superpower in business.  

Tune in now to meet one of the warmest and most thoughtful voices in e-mobility.  

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

https://www.chargepoint.com/

This week we welcome Tim Morris, the newly appointed Marketing Director for UK & Ireland at Europcar. From swapping petrol-guzzling BMW M5s for sleek electric vehicles to navigating the challenges of parenthood, Tim's journey is as dynamic as the EV revolution itself.  

🚙 What’s Inside?  

Europcar’s Electric Evolution: Hear how Europcar is leading the charge with an impressive percentage of its UK fleet now fully electric or plug-in hybrid, and why price parity with ICE vehicles is a game-changer.  

Banter & Behind-the-Scenes: Inappropriate jokes? Check. Stories from EV rallies? Double-check. Discover what makes Europcar’s culture—and Tim—so special.  

Driving Customer Change: Learn how Europcar’s bold initiatives, like their EV Assist Tool and partnerships with Octopus Electroverse, are breaking down EV adoption barriers.  

Personal Stories: Tim reveals the joys and chaos of fatherhood, his love for golf (despite the scores), and how he’s learned to navigate life and leadership through trial and error.

🎯 Why Listen?  

Whether you're an EV enthusiast, a sustainability advocate, or just here for the banter, this episode serves up thoughtful insights, hearty laughs, and a dash of inspiration.  

👉 Don’t Miss Out:  

Check out Europcar’s EV offerings at evcafe.org/partners/europcar and connect with Tim on LinkedIn for more industry insights.  

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.