Modern Fleet Q&A talks to Naomi Nye, Head of Sales at Drax Energy Solutions about herding 35 under 5s to a nativity play, developments in EV technology and the lure of Italy.
Favourite holiday destination?
I think Italy is my spiritual home and has something of everything I love. History, architecture, gorgeous weather, scenery and beaches, amazing food and wine; I can’t get enough.
What car do you drive?
I drive a Tesla 3. It’s my second Tesla now and I still love it, albeit the indicators on the steering wheel took a week or two to get used to. I love so many things about it; the driver’s experience, the seamless Tesla charging network, and the built-in comfort and tech. It would take a lot to beat it, in my opinion.
How and when did you get into this industry?
I fell into the EV industry in 2010. I left the finance industry as a financial advisor and joined a company called Rolec, which is a UK manufacturer of electrical equipment, including EV charge points, while I thought about my next career move.
Eight years and a wealth of EV experience later, I’ve never looked back since.
Tell us a bit more about Drax?
Drax Energy Solutions offers a full turn-key EV charging solution for UK businesses, helping them achieve their electrification goals.
We’re passionate about simplifying the electrification process for our customers and encouraging conversations about transitioning to all-electric solutions. I love that all our experts have unique industry knowledge and help inspire positive development in the automotive sector.
What are your industry predictions for the next 12 months?
The EV landscape is continuing to develop and grow at a fast rate. We’re seeing more changes in technology and how we can integrate solutions for driver convenience, such as easy payment solutions and an increase in regulations for the infrastructure in terms of reporting, roaming and accessibility.
As the EV landscape develops, there’s a growing need to protect our internal infrastructure and energy assets while bringing flexibility services, load management and smart charging
to the forefront. With that, we’ll start to see how we use and manage energy as a fuel in a different way, how our charging hardware can become an asset (V2X/V2G), and how the use of technology can be integral to maximise asset value.
Also, larger vehicles are decarbonising, so we’re beginning to see more availability across commercial vans and the wider introduction of eHGVs, buses, and trucks. Ultimately, bespoke charging solutions will be essential over the next 12 months for this introduction to be successful.
What is the strangest or most challenging job you have done?
I’m not sure I have ever had a strange job, although I’ve certainly had some challenging volunteering roles supporting children in teaching environments.
One Christmas saw me herding 35 under five-year-olds through a nativity play and watching the star of Bethlehem trip up the wise men and disappear stage left with baby Jesus and a donkey; that was an interesting time!
If you had your time again, would you have followed the same career path?
I fell into the world of electric vehicles and have never looked back, so yes, definitely.
There’s always so much to learn, from technological changes to new products and regulations. I’m very lucky to work with a team of intelligent and passionate people, internally at Drax and externally with customers and partners. Every day is a school day!
If you had been reincarnated, who or what do you think you were in a past life?
I was probably a cat… I have a strong independent streak but also love some creature comforts.
If you could invite four people to a dinner party – living or dead – who would they be – and why?
The answer to this question would change on a daily basis, but for today, I would invite:
- Princess Margaret – for the stories
- Richard E Grant – for the conversation
- Nigella Lawson – for some delicious food and cocktails
- Rylan Clarke – he makes me laugh and dinner parties should be fun
What are your passions outside the workplace?
Family, friends, food, books and travel planning! Every weekend I end up planning a new adventure, one day I’ll get round to doing them all…
If they made a film about your life who would play you?
I had to ask my husband for some help on this one, and he immediately answered Natalie Portman. I think it’s because we are both fairly petite brunettes, but he may have had other ideas – either way, I’m going with it.
Describe yourself in five words?
Tenacious, Resilient, Thoughtful, Curious, Convivial.
