SSE Energy Solutions has today opened a new publicly accessible 10-bay EV charging hub at its Spa Road depot in Melksham, increasing the number of ultra-rapid chargers in the Wiltshire town tenfold.

(l to r) Simon Gray, head of fleet management, SSE Energy Solutions; Kevin Welstead, sector director for EV, SSE Energy Solutions and Saffi Rabey, Melksham Town Councillor

As well as being available for public use, the 5 Dual Head ultra-rapid 150kW chargers across 10 EV Charging bays, will service SSE’s local fleet of electric vehicles. The high-powered charging units have the potential to allow drivers to resume their journey in just a few minutes.

SSE plans to build 500 ultra-rapid EV charging hubs powered by traceable, renewable energy in the UK and Ireland by 2030 with several sites already open or under construction including those in Glasgow and Dundee.

As part of its Net Zero Acceleration Plan, SSE has pledged to transition over 2,500 of its vehicle fleet to electric and install work-based charging points for its 10,000 employees to use. Currently, over 70% of SSE’s total car fleet is fully electrified.

The number of electric vehicle chargers in the UK is growing apace, with more than 2,000 installed in March and April of this year [2023]. Despite this growth, many communities still lack reliable access to rapid charging facilities.

According to electric vehicle charging atlas ZapMap, there has previously been just one publicly accessible ultra-rapid EV charge point in Melksham to service the town’s 18,000 residents.

Simon Gray, Head of Fleet for SSE, said: “We’re delighted that the UK and Welsh governments are recognising EV infrastructure as a priority in the path to Net Zero, pledging earlier this summer [June 2023] £7 million and £15 million respectively to boost the country’s more rural EV charging capabilities.

“SSE too is putting its money where its mouth is. As part of our Net Zero Acceleration Plan, we’re investing £10 million a day to unleash the low-carbon infrastructure that the UK needs for its net zero transition as part of our commitment to invest £12.5 billion in clean energy solutions by 2026.

“The installation of charging hubs based on our own sites where SSE Fleet vehicles operate will assist us greatly as we transition over 2,500 vehicles to zero emissions by 2030. With the added benefit of opening-up these charging facilities to the public where possible, we can provide even more support to local communities and fleets to help reduce harmful emissions from transport.”