Scott Day, Head of Marketing at Source, discusses the launch of the company’s first electric vehicle (EV) charging hub in Edinburgh, highlighting a roundtable discussion among key stakeholders in the EV ecosystem and the importance of collaboration between the private and public sectors to meet the UK’s net-zero targets
If the UK is to meet its net-zero targets and the switch to EVs is to play a significant role, then collaboration between the private and public sectors is essential. At Source, we are open to working with anyone who shares these values. With that in mind, at the launch of our first hub in Edinburgh, we hosted a roundtable discussion featuring key stakeholders from across the electric vehicle ecosystem to explore the challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving sector.
Among those present were policy influencers, engineers, fleet managers, and academics, resulting in a wide-ranging and insightful discussion about the future of EV charging.
Overcoming adoption barriers
Our Managing Director, Deepa Chandrasekaran, opened the discussion by identifying three primary hurdles to EV adoption: the need for reliable and accessible charging points, creating safe environments that cater to all users, and establishing infrastructure in high-demand locations that are currently underserved.
Several participants highlighted consumer trust as a critical factor in accelerating uptake. Nathan Sanders, MD of Enterprise at SSE, said there’s not enough positive messaging around EVs in the public domain. “It feels like there needs to be a demystification of what using an EV actually feels like. It’s that old adage that if you go to a restaurant and have a bad meal, you’ll go and tell 20 people – but if you have a good meal, you’ll maybe just tell your mum,” he said.
The discussion also highlighted the need to incentivise the take-up of second-hand EVs to make electric mobility accessible to more drivers.
Battery longevity, often a significant concern for potential buyers, was addressed by Dr Euan McTurk, a Consultant Battery Electrochemist and co-founder of Charge Saint. He cited recent Stanford research showing that the dynamic cycling patterns of EVs – regenerative braking, rapid charging, and varied acceleration – can actually be more favourable for battery lifespan than laboratory conditions, helping explain why many EV batteries are outlasting manufacturer expectations.
Government policy and infrastructure
The roundtable emphasised the need for clear, consistent government policy to build confidence among manufacturers and consumers alike. Recent adjustments to the Zero- Emission Mandate were noted as creating uncertainty within the market.
Network expansion into remote areas of Scotland was identified as crucial for boosting consumer confidence. Representatives from SSE acknowledged that while building electrical infrastructure takes time, mechanisms are being established through regulators like Ofgem to accelerate investment.
Donald Syme, Asset Manager at Ocean Terminal, highlighted the practical challenges of EV ownership in Scotland’s dense urban areas: “Scotland has so many flats, so many pre-industrial tenements, which have a major impact on a homeowner’s ability to own and charge their cars.”
Chris Richardson, Ocean Terminal’s Managing Director, explained why he was keen to bring EV charging to the location: “Across the road, there is a new development with 384 properties, and not one of them has an EV charging point, and there are another 380-plus flats due to complete in the coming months. Added to that, as Ocean Terminal is a shopping, leisure and tourism centre, we need to be able to offer EV charging to our customers and allow people travelling from afar to do that in the knowledge they have a de-stressed journey thanks to an exemplar charging solution on site.”
Technology and innovation
Steve Griffin, Chair of the Source board, highlighted the importance of technology that can smooth demand curves throughout the day and week. Intelligent booking systems that can adapt to changing arrival times could optimise utilisation and improve economics by requiring fewer chargers and less land to meet overall demand.
The discussion also challenged assumptions about charging speeds, with several experts noting that ultra-fast five-minute charging may not always be necessary or even practical.
Dr McTurk observed that such rapid charging would require drivers to remain with their vehicles, potentially extending overall stop time compared to current models where drivers can complete other activities while charging. “Sometimes the fastest charging solutions are actually the slowest,” he said.
Accessibility and inclusivity
Kate Tyrrell from ChargeSafe commended Source for becoming a ChargeSafe-accredited partner, ensuring our facilities meet independent standards for accessibility. With 16 million disabled people in the UK, she emphasised that accessible design is not merely a compliance issue but a significant market opportunity.
“What we find across the UK is that sites are being delivered to wildly varying standards. We’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly across the UK. What Source has done in preparation for the launch of this site is they’ve learned exactly what it is that we’re looking for as part of our independent inspection that’s going to really enhance the user experience.
“Bay spacing is critical. The Ocean Terminal hub has incredible space in between the bays, and the bollard placement is perfect. This is exactly what we want to see across the UK.”
The roundtable acknowledged that women face specific barriers to EV adoption, including concerns about personal safety and the physical challenges of handling heavy charging cables.
Deepa Chandrasekaran described her first charging experience as “nothing short of a disaster,” noting she felt she didn’t belong in that environment, highlighting the importance of intuitive designs and better cable management systems.
WarmWorks’ fleet manager, Andrea McKenzie, agreed that considering women’s safety and comfort was important.
She said, “People will start voting with their wheels if you take the time to get a hub right. They’ll consider factors such as ease of access, safety, and the availability of food and bathrooms. If you design a hub with accessibility in mind, it makes it a better experience for everyone.”
Looking forward
In her closing remarks, Deepa reaffirmed Source’s commitment to bringing affordable, accessible charging infrastructure to Scotland and the wider UK, with over 70 chargers planned to come online this year alone.
The event concluded with a call for greater collaboration across the industry. Nathan Sanders said, “Let’s not do it alone. Let’s do it in collaboration. The only way this market will be successful is by coming together.”
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