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.

Michael unpacks:

• How businesses can move from reacting to volatile energy markets to actively mastering them
• The role of battery storage in overcoming grid constraints and unlocking EV fleet potential
• Integrating solar, wind, and grid power into optimised energy strategies
• The commercial realities of cost reduction, energy trading, and long-term resilience for fleets

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.

Michael Kent (LinkedIn)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-kent-15b75746/

Palmer Energy
https://www.palmerenergytechnology.com

Paul and John sit down with Fiona Howarth, founder of Octopus Electric Vehicles and part of the Octopus Energy Group, for a wide-ranging conversation that spans electric mobility, leadership, and the importance of living in the present.

Fiona reflects on:

- Building and scaling Octopus EV from concept to leasing hundreds of millions of pounds in vehicles.
- Taking a transformative sabbatical to reconnect with her children, explore philosophy, and embrace “treasure time.”
- How thinking differently—questioning societal “rules” and activating her creative side shapes innovation in EVs and beyond.
- Leading with human connection, cultivating teams like a “dry stone wall,” and helping people discover their superpowers.
- Earthset and Stellar Set, her initiatives fostering collaboration and leadership for a sustainable future.
- Insights from Davos, battery circularity, and why the UK underestimates the personal benefits of green tech.

Fiona Howarth (LinkedIn)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-howarth/

Fiona’s Previous episode
https://www.evcafe.org/podcast-episodes/fiona-howarth-how-she-survives-her-toughest-moments

Octopus EV
https://octopusev.com

This week we dive into the practical world of electric vehicle innovation with Ben Whittaker, Chief Technology Officer at Kerbo Charge. Ben explains how a simple pavement channel could solve one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption—charging for the majority of drivers without off-street parking—and why making technology “boring” is often the ultimate goal.

From his early days salvaging components from skips to powering up a self-built computer, Ben shares how curiosity and hands-on problem-solving shaped his career. He talks about:

• How Kerbo Charge enables safe, cost-effective home EV charging without a driveway
• Navigating legislation and council approvals to make cross-pavement charging a reality
• The importance of timing, failure, and resilience in building successful startups
• Taking lessons from drama and storytelling to communicate complex ideas clearly
• Why the goal is to make game-changing technology feel effortless and everyday

Along the way, Ben reflects on his first business failures, the lessons in persistence and humility, and how to create solutions that become invisible parts of daily life.

Ben Whittaker (LinkedIn)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjdw/

Kerbo Charge
https://www.kerbocharge.com