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!
__________________
Connect with Randal on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evchargingsolutions/
Join the CleanTalk community on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12991627/
____________________
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/
____________________
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
","author_name":"Luke Harmer"}