Ep. 03 How Octopus EV Grew a Movement, Not Just a Company

In this live Earth Set founder session, Fiona Howarth, Founder and Director of Octopus Electric Vehicles, joins her Earth Set co-founder Amy Rennison to share how a simple idea—and one Google search—grew into a business that’s helped thousands make the switch to electric. From setting up a leasing company during lockdown to raising over £1.4 billion in finance for EVs, Fiona’s story is a masterclass in scaling with purpose. She talks about the messy middle of startup life—the “Batphone” days, the 2,000 unexpected leads, and building a team culture that puts people before problems. This episode was recorded live at Blue Garage as part of the Earth Set founder community series. 🎧 Listen in to hear:

• The origin story of Octopus EV and how it scaled from idea to impact

• Why culture and purpose drive growth that lasts

• Lessons for founders navigating uncertainty and rapid scale

• How the energy and transport transition is converging faster than we think