Energy companies TotalEnergies and SSE have inked a binding agreement to establish a joint venture (JV), dubbed Source to develop electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the UK and Ireland.
The new entity is expected to install up to 3,000 high power charge points, of 150kW and more, in both countries within the next five years. This is expected to help in addressing the demand from EV and fleet owners to deliver fast and reliable charging.
According to SSE and TotalEnergies, charging hubs will be deployed in prime locations in and around urban areas and powered by renewable energy provided by them.
The companies also said that several hubs are already under construction with plans for dozens more, which are presently in development studies.
TotalEnergies new mobilities senior vice president Mathieu Soulas said: “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.”
Source is set to deploy reliable ultra-fast charging infrastructure throughout the UK to meet the rising demand from EV drivers and fleet operators.
This demand has been spurred by the UK government’s recent enforcement of the 2035 mandate for zero vehicle emissions from all new cars and vans.
In Ireland, Source seeks to expedite action to address the government’s target of placing almost one million EVs on roads by the end of the decade along with developing consumer confidence in EV charging.
SSE enterprise managing director Neil Kirkby said: “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.”
