Source, a new chargepoint operator formed through a partnership between SSE and TotalEnergies, has opened its first ultra-rapid EV charging hub at Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal.
The joint venture aims to install 3,000 new chargers over the next five years, with the Edinburgh location marking the first of 300 sites planned across the UK and Ireland by 2030.
The hub features six 160kW devices with a total of 12 connectors and bays. According to Source’s industry data, these ultra-rapid chargers allow users to “charge and go” in approximately 15 minutes.
Drivers can make contactless payments without subscriptions, with all charging powered by SSE’s renewable energy.
The devices are also compatible with Source’s in-house app and various payment aggregation services.
Future hubs will follow a similar design and incorporate green roof canopies and planters to encourage biodiversity. SSE’s existing charging hubs will be rebranded as Source locations beginning later this year.
Deepa Chandrasekaran, Source’s managing director, told EV Powered that the company isn’t focusing solely on major transport routes. Instead, they’re targeting areas with underserved demand – including rural locations and urban sites where fleet operators and rideshare drivers need better rapid charging options.
“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,” Chandrasekaran said at the Ocean Terminal launch.
Ocean Terminal, already home to a major shopping center and the Royal Yacht Britannia, is undergoing further redevelopment that includes 530 new homes and major retail tenants such as Tesco.
Chris Richardson, divisional managing director of Ambassador Group, which owns 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.”
