SSE PLC (LSE:SSE), the FTSE 100-listed renewable energy generator, has formed a joint venture to build 300 'charging hubs' around UK and Ireland with France's TotalEnergies.
Under the brand Source, the business will target around a 20% market share, with hubs situated in "prime locations in and around urban areas", powered by clean energy provided by SSE and Total.
The pair said "several" of the hubs are under construction with plans for dozens more at the development stage.
In the UK, the decision to launch the JV was triggered by the government’s zero vehicle emissions mandate for all new cars and vans, where Labour's pre-election promises included reversing Rishi Sunak's scrapping of the 2030 deadline to ban new petrol and diesel cars.
In Ireland, one government target is to encourage 1 million electric vehicles onto roads by 2030.
"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," said Neil Kirkby, SSE's managing director of enterprise.
Mathieu Soulas, head of TotalEnergies' New Mobilities arm, said: "This is a great opportunity to extend our network in Europe and stake out a key position as a reference high-power charging player."