In a move that aims to transform the electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape, energy giants TotalEnergies and SSE have announced a joint venture to create a major new player in EV charging infrastructure. Operating under the brand name Source, the partnership will deploy up to 3,000 high-power charge points across the UK and Ireland within the next five years.
The project will see the installation of charging hubs in prime urban locations, powered by renewable energy provided by both companies. With plans to capture a 20% market share, Source is positioning itself at the forefront of the region’s transition to sustainable transportation.
“This is a great opportunity to extend our network in Europe and stake out a key position as a reference high-power charging player,” says Mathieu Soulas, Senior Vice President New Mobilities at TotalEnergies. “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.”
The initiative comes at a crucial time, as the UK government recently mandated zero emissions for all new cars and vans. In Ireland, the project aligns with the government’s target of having nearly one million electric vehicles on the roads by 2030.
“SSE is already playing a leading role in decarbonising the UK and Ireland’s power system,” says Neil Kirkby, Managing Director of Enterprise at SSE. “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.”
The UK’s Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood MP, welcomes the initiative: “Source is a fantastic initiative with great potential to accelerate the UK’s transition to electric vehicles,” she says. “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.”
