Openreach has inked a major partnership with EV charging company Source to support the electrification of its light commercial vehicle fleet.

The agreement gives Openreach’s 25,000 engineers access to Source’s growing network of ultra-rapid charging hubs across the UK and Ireland. The deal aims to minimise fleet downtime by allowing drivers at the UK’s second largest commercial fleet to use high-powered 300kW chargers.

Engineers will access the Source network using the Allstar platform. The collaboration uses a commercially aligned model built specifically for high-frequency fleet charging.

Because these engineers cover routes nationwide, the ability to charge quickly and get back on the road is critical to serve customers and communities. Source’s 300kW ultra-rapid chargers can add significant range to most modern eLCVs in less than 15 minutes.

The agreement will help drive fleet electrification across Openreach. The UK’s largest broadband network already has over 7,000 EVs on the road and is aiming to transition the majority of its fleet to electric by 2031 in support of its net zero target. This partnership with Source gives its drivers access to reliable, ultra-rapid public charging as that transition accelerates.

Judy O’Keefe, director of fleet at Openreach, said: “Moving a fleet our size to electric is a big job. Charging needs to be simple, safe and reliable for our engineers. That’s why partnerships like this matter. They give our people fast, flexible charging when they’re out on the road.

“That keeps them moving, so we can keep serving customers and communities right across the UK. And as we switch to electric, we’re already seeing the benefits – cutting emissions, improving air quality and helping create healthier places to live and work. It’s all part of our move to a zero-emissions fleet by 2031 and our wider net zero plans.”

Source plans to open 300 ultra-rapid charging hubs across the UK and Ireland, with coverage designed to support drivers on the move wherever their working day takes them.

Alice Aprile-Smith, head of partnerships and business development at Source, said: “Openreach operates the UK’s second largest commercial fleet and is serious about its transition to electric – that’s exactly the kind of partner we want to be working with. Source is built to deliver ultra-rapid public charging reliably, at scale, across the breadth of the UK. We’re proud to be supporting one of the country’s most ambitious fleet electrification programmes.”