In this episode of CleanTalk, we sit down with Randall "Tiny" Smith, a former Royal Air Force senior engineering officer turned EV and renewable energy executive.

Randall’s journey spans military aviation, leading 250-person engineering teams, becoming Programme Manager for the revolutionary Jaguar I-PACE, and building EV charging infrastructure across the UK retailer network at Jaguar Land Rover.

We explore:

- Leadership under pressure and the “Three Ts” framework (Trust, Transparency, Tailoring)

- What it really took to bring a premium OEM EV from concept to production

- Why EV misinformation spreads, and how narrative shapes adoption

- The hydrogen debate: physics vs optimism

- Government intervention, behaviour change, and the psychology of resistance

- How curiosity, depth of knowledge, and platform-building intersect

- Rather than framing this as advocacy, the conversation examines the structural tension between technological innovation, public perception, and political cycles, and what it means for anyone operating in the energy transition.

If you work in renewable energy, transport, policy or clean tech communications, this episode aims to help you better understand the human dynamics affecting electric vehicle adoption.

Enjoy!

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Connect with Randal on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evchargingsolutions/

Join the CleanTalk community on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12991627/

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CleanTalk is produced by Harmer Visuals, a film & media company specialising in brand & case study storytelling for organisations across the renewable energy and clean technology sector. To find out more about how we can help you, visit: https://www.harmervisuals.com

Many thanks to...

Our rental suppliers - O'RIORDAN | https://oriordan.io/ | Sunipa Pictures | https://www.sunipapictures.com/

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Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

02:02 - Randal’s Background

04:41 - The 3 T’s of Leadership

11:04 - Entry Into The EV Industry

13:51 - Designing The Jaguar I-Pace

16:28 - The Media’s Negativity EV Bias

22:16 - Understanding People’s Objections

25:58 - Becoming a Thought Leader

29:36 - Curiosity & Continual Learning

34:21 - A Framework for Strategy

36:09 - Macro Forces & Hierarchy

39:34 - The History of Electric Vehicles

41:49 - The Case For Hydrogen

47:34 - Cultural Narratives Blocking Technological Progress

49:09 - Government Influence

53:21 - Purpose, Conviction & Values

57:29 - Quickfire Curiosity

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