TotalEnergies and SSE are joining forces to create a new major player in EV charging for the UK and Ireland under the brand name ‘Source’.

L-R: Mathieu Soulas of TotalEnergies with Neil Kirkby, MD of enterprise at SSE

The new business will deploy up to 3,000 ultra-rapid charge points – offering 150kW and higher – across the two countries, grouped in 300 EV hubs and targeting a 20% market share.

The hubs will be located in prime locations in and around urban areas, powered by renewable energy provided by SSE and TotalEnergies.

Several hubs are already under construction with plans for dozens more, currently in development studies.

SSE and TotalEnergies said the new network would meet demand from EV and fleet owners for ultra-rapid and reliable charging following the arrival of the ZEV mandate from this year, which has raised power supply infrastructure for EV and fleet owners as one of the biggest challenges facing the decarbonisation of transport.

In Ireland, Source’s plans will help accelerate action to meet the Government target of placing almost one million electric vehicles on roads by 2030, while building consumer confidence in EV charging.

TotalEnergies’ Mathieu Soulas, senior vice president new mobilities, said: “This is a great opportunity to extend our network in Europe and stake out a key position as a reference high-power charging player. We want to offer our customers – passenger cars and fleet alike – a nationwide, ultra-fast and reliable charging service that allows them to travel efficiently with complete peace of mind. This development also contributes to our integrated power strategy in the UK, combining renewable and flexible power generation capacity, trading and marketing of low-carbon electricity available 24 hours a day.”

Neil Kirkby, managing director of enterprise at SSE, added: “SSE is already playing a leading role in decarbonising the UK and Ireland’s power system including building the world’s largest offshore wind farm and transforming electricity networks. Now this agreement will help accelerate progress towards a decarbonised transport system too, ensuring the vehicles that keep the economy moving can do so in a more sustainable and efficient way.”

Lilian Greenwood, newly appointed Future of Roads Minister, said: “Source is a fantastic initiative with great potential to accelerate the UK’s transition to electric vehicles. This Government has made delivering greener journeys one of its top priorities for transport, and it’s by working together with industry that we’ll be able to boost consumer confidence through widespread, reliable electric vehicle charging – and achieve our shared goal of getting more electric vehicles on the road.”

Logistics UK also applauded the launch. Michelle Gardner, deputy director of policy, said: “This is exactly the type of charging infrastructure that is required and our members will welcome the installation of 3,000 rapid charge points across UK and Ireland. Vans are the workhorses of the UK economy but for many logistics organisations wanting to decarbonise, electrification remains impractical until the barriers around charging and the vehicles themselves are overcome. The logistics sector is committed to playing its part in helping achieve net zero, and we will continue to press the Government for improved public charging, regulatory reform and fiscal support to reduce the costs and barriers to going electric, and therefore support a fair transition to a green economy. This plan from SSE and TotalEnergies is an important step in the right direction.”