New charge point operator to deploy high power network

Total Energies and SSE have joined forces to create Source, a new electric vehicle (EV) charge point operator for the UK and Ireland.

The new business will deploy up to 3,000 high power charge points (of 150kW and more) grouped in 300 EV hubs, targeting a 20% market share, within the next five years.

Several hubs are already under construction with plans for dozens more, and all will be powered by renewable energy provided by SSE and Total Energies.

With over 64,000 charge points in operation around the world today, and proven experience in the retail sector, Total Energies is already a recognised player in electric mobility.

In the UK, the company operates the Source London network comprising 2,600 charge points in the capital.

This joint venture is aligned with TotalEnergies’ ambition to deploy and operate more than 1,000 high-power charging sites for electric vehicles in Europe by 2028.

Mathieu Soulas, senior vice president new mobilities at Total Energies, said: “Total Energies is proud to contribute to the development of electric mobility to decarbonise transportation in the UK and Ireland.

“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.”

Under its Net Zero Acceleration Programme Plus, SSE is investing £20.5 billion over the next five years to 2027 and could invest more than £40bn over the decade to 2032.

Neil Kirkby, managing director of enterprise at SSE, said: “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.”

New transport minister, Lilian Greenwood, welcomed the launch of Source, saying it was 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,” she added.

The infrastructure announcement was also welcomened by trade body Logistics UK. Michelle Gardner, Logistics UK's deputy director of policy, said: “This is exactly the type of charging infrastructure that is required and our members will welcome the installation of 3000 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.”