EV Café Takeaway

<div> <p>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.  </p><p>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.  </p><p><strong>Peter Heath</strong><br><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterheath1/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterheath1/</a></p><p><strong>PLP EV</strong><br><a href="https://www.ev.plp.com/">https://www.ev.plp.com</a></p></div>

<div> <p>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.  </p><p>Tom and Kev share:  </p></div><ul> <li>How COVID and COP26 inspired them to launch Nerpa Travel  </li> <li>The reality of running EV adventures in places like Vietnam, Thailand, and Wales  </li> <li>Charging challenges, public transport hacks, and “squeaky bum” moments on the road</li> <li>Why small group travel and community connections are at the heart of their model  </li> <li>Plans for upcoming adventures, including potential West Africa expeditions  </li> </ul><div> <p>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.  </p><p>Find out more at <a href="https://www.nerpatravel.com">https://www.nerpatravel.com</a> and discover their upcoming Lost in Vietnam trip, 3–13 December 2026. </p></div>

<div><p>Paul Kirby and John Curtis are joined by Mike Costain and Nick Davison from Nineteen Group, the organisers of the Commercial Vehicle Show (CV Show). Recorded in the run-up to the 2026 event (21–23 April at Birmingham NEC), the conversation dives into:</p></div><ul> <li>The growth of the CV Show, with over 330 exhibitors and a 30–35% increase from last year.</li> <li>The EV Café Village and its 26 exhibitors, highlighting innovation in decarbonisation and electric vehicles.</li> <li>New entrants to the UK market including Cherry, BYD, and returning brands like Stellantis, Renault, Ford, Maxus, and IVECO.</li> <li>The launch of Bus &amp; Coach Expo and the Ride &amp; Drive experience, letting visitors test vehicles directly.</li> <li>Why creating a buzzing, community-driven event matters for trade shows and how Nineteen Group builds that atmosphere.</li> <li>The future of fleet electrification, the importance of infrastructure, and the role of the CV Show in supporting UK logistics and decarbonisation.</li> </ul><div> <p>From magicians and networking to new product launches and industry insight, this episode captures the energy behind the UK’s leading commercial vehicle event.</p><p><strong>CV Show</strong><br><a href="https://www.cvshow.com/">https://www.cvshow.com<br></a><br><strong>Nineteen Group</strong><br><a href="https://www.nineteengroup.com/">https://www.nineteengroup.com<br></a><br><strong>Nick Davison</strong><br><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-davison-94796614/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-davison-94796614/<br></a><br><strong>Mike Costain</strong><br><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-costain-794b8412/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-costain-794b8412/</a></p></div>

<div> <p>Buying a used electric car or van can feel like a leap of faith—how do you really know if the battery is healthy, how far it will go, or whether it will hold its charge? In this episode, we get to the heart of the current EV landscape with Alex Millinger of AVILOO, who specialise in plug‑and‑play battery diagnostics for EVs and PHEVs.</p><p>From the surge in UK demand for battery health certificates, to the role of auctions and dealers in building buyer confidence, Alex explains how AVILOO’s technology delivers a full state‑of‑health report in just three minutes. We explore:</p></div><ul> <li>Why used EV buyers are now demanding battery certification</li> <li>How AVILOO’s diagnostics and “battery cloud” turn data into actionable insight</li> <li>Lessons from supporting fleets, dealers, and even private EV owners</li> <li>The global challenge of keeping up with new models, including the flood of Chinese EVs</li> <li>How better battery transparency is unlocking the second‑hand EV market</li> </ul><div> <p>If you’ve ever hesitated to buy a pre‑owned electric car or wondered how to protect the value of a fleet, this conversation offers a clear view of what’s possible—and how the right data can remove the fear factor from going electric.</p><p><strong>AVILOO Battery Diagnotics</strong><br><a href="https://aviloo.com">https://aviloo.com</a></p></div>

<div> <p>This week, we dive into the reality of energy as a strategic asset for businesses making the shift to electric vehicles. JC is joined by Michael Kent, Managing Director of Palmer Energy, a company designing and manufacturing battery energy storage systems in partnership with Oxford spin-out Brill Power.</p><p>Michael unpacks:</p></div><ul> <li>How businesses can move from reacting to volatile energy markets to actively mastering them</li> <li>The role of battery storage in overcoming grid constraints and unlocking EV fleet potential</li> <li>Integrating solar, wind, and grid power into optimised energy strategies</li> <li>The commercial realities of cost reduction, energy trading, and long-term resilience for fleets</li> </ul><div> <p>From small cabinet batteries to full 20-foot containerised systems, learn how Palmer Energy is helping companies future-proof their operations, reduce costs, and accelerate the transition to electrification—without waiting for perfect grid conditions.</p><p><strong>Michael Kent (LinkedIn)</strong><br><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-kent-15b75746/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-kent-15b75746/</a></p><p><strong>Palmer Energy</strong><br><a href="https://www.palmerenergytechnology.com">https://www.palmerenergytechnology.com</a></p></div>