Source, the ultra-rapid charging joint venture between SSE and TotalEnergies, has opened its first EV charging hub at a Lidl GB supermarket, bringing 12 bays and speeds of up to 320kW to a new store in Birstall, West Yorkshire.

The new hub sits two minutes from junction 27 of the M62 and gives Lidl customers an ultra-rapid top-up while they shop. Ten bays are sized for vans and LCVs, and the site also includes an accessible bay.

The hub helps tackle the UK’s shortage of van-suitable charging, cited by the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) as a key barrier to eLCV adoption. Electric vans accounted for just 11.0% of new van registrations in the first 10 months of 2026.

Across its network, Source hubs feature at least 150kW ultra-rapid chargers as standard, allowing drivers to ‘charge and go’ in around 15 minutes based on industry-accepted charging session data. Sites offer real-time availability updates, well-lit, secure surroundings, and contactless payment with no pre-authorisation required, as well as charging via roaming partners and Source’s own RFID card, all backed by round-the-clock support. Every hub is powered by renewable energy, drawing on SSE’s infrastructure and TotalEnergies’ technology.

Liam Schofield, regional head of property at Lidl GB, said: “As part of our wider commitment to expanding the accessibility of EV charging across the country, we’re proud to partner with Source to deliver this flagship EV charging hub. Our newest store is a fantastic location for drivers wanting to charge quickly while picking up their weekly shop.”

Deepa Chandrasekaran, managing director at Source, said: “Whether they drive a car or a van, most people want charging to fit around what they’re already doing. Here, drivers can plug in while they shop or stop off the M62 for a Lidl sweet treat, and leave with a fast, reliable charge.

“Public charging in this part of Yorkshire still lags behind the UK average, and we’re pleased to be working with Lidl to help close that gap in Birstall, as we grow our network in towns and cities like it across the country.”

A further Source hub at a Lidl site is already planned in the South West, as Source works towards 300 ultra-rapid charging hubs across Britain by 2030.