With over 2,000 chargers across the capital (all powered by 100% renewable energy!), London's EV revolution is being propelled by Source London.
We sat down with Nicolas Garnier, Managing Director for TotalEnergies Charging Solutions UK and Source London, to discuss expansion plans for Source London, what Source London prioritises when building a new charging site, and what the future looks like for faster charging speeds.
Let’s get plugged in…
Source London was established by Transport for London (TfL) in 2011. The network has grown and evolved over time. With significant investment in the installation of new charge points and strengthening of infrastructure, Source London was acquired by TotalEnergies in 2020. TotalEnergies continue to support London boroughs to deliver more sustainable transport and the transition to electric vehicles, which will play a key role in providing cleaner air for London.
Today, Source London is a rapidly expanding public network of over 2,200 electric vehicle charge points in prime locations across 24 London boroughs. We offer 7kW & 22kW charge points in dedicated EV bays, accessible 24/7, 365 days a year. All our charge points are powered by 100% renewable energy. TotalEnergies is committed to continued investment in the Source London network.
The first Source London charge point was installed on The Cut, Southwark. In May 2019, we celebrated the activation of our 1,000th charge point. In 2022, we opened our 2,200th public charge point and delivered over 2,000,000 hours of 100% renewable energy.
Today, Source London is a rapidly expanding public network of over 2,200 electric vehicle charge points in prime locations across 24 London boroughs. We offer 7kW & 22kW charge points in dedicated EV bays, accessible 24/7, 365 days a year. All our charge points are powered by 100% renewable energy. TotalEnergies is committed to continued investment in the Source London network.
Find your nearest Source London chargepoint on the Electroverse map.
We have developed strong relationships with a growing number of London Boroughs (24 to date). The way we operate means that charge points can be implemented at no cost to the borough itself. We work directly with London boroughs to identify charge point locations that will have the maximum impact to citizens. Our collaborations facilitate open discussion between Source London and the boroughs, elected representatives, residents, and companies we serve throughout the city.
The vast majority of our charge points are located on-street and can be accessed immediately via a subscription or our Pay As You Go service. Customers can also now access the Source London network using their existing Octopus Electroverse membership.
All our on-street charge points are located in dedicated EV bays, accessible 24/7 without additional parking fees, even in Central London. You can find a charge point easily using the Electroverse app, Source London app or by visiting www.sourcelondon.net.
Source London subscribers can reserve a charge point up to 40 minutes in advance for a small fee (£2). We are working to offer this functionality to our roaming customers (including Octopus Electroverse) too.
Before you start your first charge, take a little time to get to know your vehicle, how it connects and how to release the cable at the end of a charge. You can give us a call if you have any problems; our phone lines are available 24/7, 365 days per year.
TotalEnergies has big plans to expand our current electric charging infrastructure, including the future growth of the existing Source London public charging network in London and destination charging further afield (if you are a private landowner and you have a requirement, please get in touch). Upcoming technical developments include wireless payment and more options for fast charging. Watch this space…
Meeting our customers’ evolving needs has always been at the heart of what we do. The energy sector has seen a period of massive fluctuation in the last 12 months; we have responded with clearer pricing, and we have even been able to pass on price reductions to some customers. Moving forward, we are committed to keeping our pricing simple and fair long-term.
Availability continues to be a big factor as more drivers transition to EVs. We are proud to have a highly available public network and we will maintain high levels of availability as demand grows with ambitious plans for future installations with our borough partners. We are also dedicated to providing customers greater access to public fast-charging solutions, saving customers time, and freeing up charge points by delivering energy more quickly.
We currently offer both 7kW & 22kW charge points. Improving access to faster charging options for all our customers is an important part of our long-term strategy. We look forward to announcing more developments in 2023 and 2024.
We have a robust standard process and consult with the borough and other interested parties, considering several factors when selecting a new charging site. These include:
Technical and safety considerations (e.g. Electrical safety, Wi-Fi signal etc.)
Demand (e.g. Existing and future EV ownership, current levels of on-street parking and home charging etc.)
Access (e.g. access to the property, footpaths, public amenities, trees etc.)
The current public charging infrastructure available for customers can be confusing. A high number of charge point providers, all with slightly different offers, means many customers have several accounts and numerous membership cards.
We aim to make it easier for customers to access the Source London network by partnering with an expanding number of roaming partners, so those customers that really value convenience can get a charge with as few barriers (and cards) as possible. Customers can take advantage of the best parts of different networks and complimentary services as needed.
I drive an Audi e-tron which I find very convenient and comfortable for our large family. There are five of us in the UK and my elder son who lives and studies in France.
I was eager to test out making longer journeys and to get over range anxiety. It’s important that I truly believe in what I do 😉. Our first long trip was from London to western and southern France, about 2,000 miles. Last summer, we went even further; to Denmark, through Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and back through the south of France, over 3,000 miles altogether. We also went up to lock Ness in Scotland last October.
It’s amazing how fast the industry is developing, with charging stations popping up between one trip and another. My previous ‘range anxiety’ has completely disappeared!
Moving to electric has meant some changes to the way we approach travel, with more planning in advance and greater use of digital technology, but I don’t really consider this a constraint anymore. We have accepted that we need to make stops on longer trips, but it breaks up the journey and it’s definitely a plus for safety.
The current electric mobility ecosystem is still improving (data accuracy for availability, number of chargers etc.). I believe this is a small price to pay to retain our freedom of movement whilst curbing CO2 emissions.
Subscribe to Source London and use the app! Source London subscribers can reserve a charge point in advance for a small fee (£2). We are working to offer this functionality to our roaming customers (including Octopus Electroverse) too.
Use a public charge point once or twice when you are not in a rush to be somewhere, giving yourself enough time to understand the process and to set up a payment method. Give it a go and if you get stuck with a Source London charge point, give us a call (our phone lines are available 24/7, 365 days per year).
The EV community are great at sharing feedback on their experiences with each other, but remember, let the charge point operator know if something isn’t right. For example, if you don’t have a great experience or discover faulty equipment, take a second to report it, with details if possible. This way, it can get rectified as soon as possible for the next person.
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