As I write this, I am reflecting on my first all-staff conference for our newly-formed joint venture, Source which is a coming together of the UKs leading renewables energy generator, SSE, and one of Europe’s largest Charge Point Operators, TotalEnergies. My journey with Source, a charge point operator, started in a rather fitting way—with a long-distance drive from Worthing to Birmingham, in an electric vehicle. It's not every day that you embark on a trip that embodies the very essence of the company you’re helping to build. It’s even more special when the EV that arrives coincidentally sports the colours of the company logo!
I was filled with anticipation as I took delivery of a sleek, medium-sized EV. Despite being an entry-level vehicle, I was pleasantly surprised by the level of sophistication and features packed into it. From intuitive controls to a smooth, quiet drive, the experience was a perfect showcase of the potential and accessibility of electric vehicles.
However, the journey wasn’t without its challenges, which I now realise are part and parcel of what it means to be an EV driver today. As the miles ticked away, I was introduced to a new concept—charge anxiety. The first 80% of the battery drained at a comfortable and expected rate, but the last 20%? That went down faster than expected, leading to an unsettling realisation that there were far fewer charging hubs on the route than petrol stations. I found myself scanning every exit, hunting for an EV station, hoping one would be nearby and functional.
At this point, I also recognised something important—range anxiety isn’t a thing. In fact, most of us have driven a petrol or diesel vehicle with 100 miles left on the tank and never thought much of it. What I was feeling was entirely new: charge anxiety, born of the scarcity of visible charging infrastructure.
I realised that solving this is at the core of our mission at Source. We are here to make long-distance EV travel not only possible but enjoyable.
As I navigated through various charging stations, another thing became abundantly clear: there was very little in the way of clear signage or even basic amenities like canopies to protect you from the elements while dealing with the occasionally unreliable chargers. It struck me that there was no visible indication of whether the energy being used came from renewable sources, a crucial detail for those of us committed to sustainable driving. On top of that, there was no way to check if a charging bay would be free upon arrival, adding to the uncertainty. These are exactly the kinds of challenges we must address if the uptake of EV is to continue, providing ultra-rapid, reliable charging powered by renewables, with real-time availability updates that ensure drivers can plan their journeys with confidence.
Once I did find a charging station, I encountered a few more surprises. First, I realised that EV driving requires a shift in mindset. Unlike petrol stations where a quick stop, fill-up, and go is standard, EV charging asks for patience and planning. When I left my vehicle to charge, I quickly understood that a brief bathroom break wasn’t enough to pass the time. I found myself browsing nearby shops, reading a book I’d just picked up—ironically, a marketing guide for startups—and eventually having dinner at the nearest restaurant rather than a more carefully and deliberately selected one. In many ways, the charging stops dictated my journey, not the other way around. It was a humbling experience, and it made me acutely aware that Source isn’t just about providing charge points; it’s about improving the entire EV journey for our users.
Of course, the journey wasn’t all smooth. Not all charging stations worked as expected, and many lacked a user-friendly interface. Frustratingly, none were manned. I found myself guessing how to use them, and at one point, I even worried that people would think I’d stolen the car as I fumbled with the charger.
But despite these hiccups, there were moments of pure joy. The responsiveness of the EV on the motorway was something special, and the drive through urban areas was remarkably smooth. It dawned on me that the driving experience in an EV is inherently different from an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. EVs require a change in driving style that I hadn’t anticipated, particularly when switching between motorway and urban driving. I embraced this difference and found it exciting—a sign of progress, a shift in the way we interact with our vehicles.
The role of a charge point operator
This journey has highlighted something critical: the role of a charge point operator is not just to cater to the needs of the driver, but to shape the journey itself. Charging isn’t just about topping up the battery; it’s about transforming the time spent waiting into something valuable, enjoyable, and stress-free. As we move forward with Source, I can’t help but feel optimistic about the future. Disruptive technologies will undoubtedly continue to emerge, making the EV journey smoother and more seamless, both for city drivers and long-distance travellers. The day will come when we look back at the internal combustion engine with a nostalgic but distant fondness, much like we now view the age of steam engines or, dare I say, the invention of tobacco and its eventual decline.
There’s a strange parallel here: we may one day view petrol engines as relics of the past, outdated, and even harmful—something to be cast aside in the same century that smoking may also become obsolete. That shift in mindset is happening, and it’s our responsibility at Source to help lead the charge (pun intended) into this new era of transportation.
In the end, my journey from Worthing to Birmingham was much more than a drive. It was a reflection on the possibilities of the future, the challenges we must address, and the role we will play in shaping that future. I’m excited to be part of this journey, both literally and figuratively, and I look forward to seeing where Source takes us next.
