Source opens first UK ultra-rapid charging hub

New chargepoint operator Source has opened its first ultra-rapid EV charging hub at Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal.

The new CPO is a partnership between UK-based energy company SSE and European fuel and charging giant TotalEnergies, which aims to install 3,000 new chargers over the next five years.

The Edinburgh location is the first of 300 sites that Source plans to open across the UK and Ireland by the end of the decade, providing ultra-fast charging for travellers and local communities.

The site features six 160kW devices which, according to Source’s industry data, will allow users to ‘charge and go’ in around 15 minutes. The devices allow contactless payment without a subscription and are powered by renewable energy provided by SSE.

The site features six 160kW devices with a total of 12 connectors and bays. According to Source’s industry data, the ultra-rapid chargers will allow users to ‘charge and go’ in around 15 minutes. The devices allow contactless payment without a subscription and are powered by renewable energy provided by SSE. They will also work with Source’s in-house app and various payment aggregation services.

Future hubs around the UK and Ireland will follow a similar pattern and will also incorporate elements such as green roof canopies and planters to encourage biodiversity. SSE’s existing charging hubs will also be rebranded as Source locations, beginning later this year. 

Source’s managing director, Deepa Chandrasekaran, told EV Powered that rather than focusing purely on major transport routes, the company’s sites would also be located in areas where there was underserved demand. She said Source was looking at more rural locations as well as urban sites where fleet and other users such as Uber drivers are seeking better rapid charging provision.

Marking the powering up of the Ocean Terminal site, she said: “The EV industry has reached a turning point, and we’re here to lead it into uncharted territories. At Source, we’re not just building charge points, we’re building confidence. Our ambition is to capture 20% of the UK and Ireland’s ultra-rapid market by delivering hubs that are easy to find, easy to use, and built for the future.”

Already home to a major shopping centre and the Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Terminal is currently undergoing further redevelopment, including 530 new homes and major retail tenants such as Tesco.

Chris Richardson, divisional managing director of Ambassador Group, owner of Ocean Terminal, said: “We are creating a re-imagined Ocean Terminal to better suit the needs of both the local community and visitors. Sustainability is central to our thinking and having a Source hub on site, its first in the UK, perfectly aligns with our goals.

“We know EV drivers are looking for efficient and reliable charging but also something to do whilst they charge, and the new centre will be a great place for them to spend that time.”