Shaping the road ahead: The man driving E.ON’s push for a greener, electric future

Dave’s childhood passions for maths and zoology might sound worlds apart, but both show a love for solving life’s puzzles. Growing up in Derbyshire, he had no idea his path would lead to the world of electric vehicles (EVs). Yet, after 14 years at E.ON and countless roles – from finance to strategy – Dave now heads E.ON Drive UK, leading a team at the forefront of the EV revolution.

“Every role has been a learning curve,” Dave reflects, “but this one is my biggest challenge yet – and the most rewarding.”

Day-to-day, Dave oversees the team delivering everything from individual home installations to large-scale collaborations with businesses and cities – like our partnership with Coventry City Council – to make public EV charging more accessible across the city. On his watch, his team has grown from just ten people toin two years – a testament to the scale of E.ON Drive’s mission and his relentless pursuit of innovation.

In fact, innovation is at the heart of everything Dave does. His team handles the entire EV customer journey, from sales to installation and follow-ups, while also collaborating with E.ON Next on EV tariffs, making affordable charging work for energy customers.

For Dave, it’s about creating an ecosystem where EVs benefit everyone. “The transition needs to be accessible to all,” he says. “It’s not just about charging; it’s about building a system that’s smarter, greener, and inclusive.”

Partnerships are another key focus. Dave is particularly proud of E.ON’s collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, which will see the creation of 400 charging stations across Europe, including 50 in the UK. “It’s an incredible opportunity,” he says. “We’re not just scaling up - we’re perfecting our technology to deliver the best experience possible.”

And true to his word, Dave lives and breathes the EV lifestyle. Between him and his wife, they own not one but two electric vehicles. “We’re all-in on EVs,” he says with a grin. “It’s not just about the environment, it’s about proving that this technology works – and works well.”

For Dave, leading the charge isn’t just about installing chargers – it’s about changing mindsets. “We hear so many myths about EVs,” he says, “from concerns about battery life to fears about safety. I’d love to flip that narrative and show how exciting this space really is.”

One of the biggest hurdles, he says, is affordability. “Upfront costs can seem daunting, but most people buy cars on finance or second-hand,” Dave explains. “We need to better educate people about the options available.”

Then there’s public charging anxiety. Dave believes this is a solvable problem with better awareness and infrastructure. “It’s about showing people they can charge anywhere, anytime.”

Looking ahead, Dave sees artificial intelligence as a game-changer for the EV ecosystem. “AI will help us manage grid demand, optimise charging, and unlock bi-directional capabilities like vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology,” he explains. This vision of cars not just consuming energy but producing and sharing it is at the core of what excites him about the future.

Dave also highlights the importance of vehicle diversity. “We need more options,” he says. “Smaller cars, seven-seaters – there’s still a gap in the market, but we’re making strides.”

And Dave’s ambitions for the EV world are as bold as they are inspiring: In 10 years he predicts EVs will dominate the roads, becoming the norm for most households – and in 20 years, it will be the norm for vehicles to be integrated into decentralised energy systems, generating and sharing power seamlessly.

Beyond infrastructure, Dave believes in the power of storytelling to shift perceptions. “Switching to EVs benefits the environment, businesses, and individuals,” he says. “It’s not just about the technology; it’s about showing people what’s possible.”