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The pressure on local authorities to electrify their fleets has never been greater. With over 300 councils declaring climate emergencies and the government’s zero-emission vehicle mandate in force, the transition from diesel to electric is accelerating.
Deepa Chandrasekaran, Managing Director at Source, argues that yet while much attention focuses on depot charging infrastructure, that’s only part of the solution – accessible, reliable public ultra-rapid charging is essential to making fleet electrification operationally viable.
For fleet managers navigating this transition, depot charging alone won’t cut it. Funding constraints remain one of the most significant barriers councils face in fleet electrification, making it essential to plan charging strategies that are both operationally effective and cost-efficient. The question isn’t whether you need public charging in your strategy, it’s whether the public charging available actually works for your fleet.
The operational reality
Local authority vehicles don’t operate like private cars. Social care workers start their day from home. Refuse collection routes extend far beyond a single depot’s range. Building inspectors cover vast rural areas.
Even councils with excellent depot charging infrastructure find that public ultra-rapid chargers become operationally essential. When vehicles can’t return to base mid-shift, rapid public charging (150kW+) can add 80% charge in 20-40 minutes – fast enough to keep services running without significant downtime. Without access to strategically located rapid chargers, councils risk service disruptions, vehicle recovery costs, and the operational headaches that come with stranded electric vehicles.
As councils transition larger portions of their fleet, the operational patterns become more complex. Not every vehicle will have depot access every night. Vehicles on multi-day assignments, those covering extended territories, or emergency deployments all require public charging options to maintain the flexibility that service delivery demands.
Public charging that works for fleet operations
The UK’s public charging network continues to expand – over 82,000 charge points are now operational with another 218,000 planned by 2030. That’s encouraging progress, particularly when compared to the UK’s 8,400 petrol stations. But fleet managers face a different question than private motorists: does the infrastructure actually support operational requirements?
The challenges are practical rather than insurmountable. Standard car parking bays work well for passenger vehicles but can pose difficulties for long-wheelbase vans, minibuses, or vehicles with trailers. Fleet operators need charging locations designed with commercial vehicle dimensions in mind; adequate maneuvering space, appropriate cable lengths, and bay layouts that accommodate the vehicles councils actually operate.
Reliability becomes critical when services can’t afford delays. Fleet drivers need assurance that chargers will be functional and available when needed, particularly during daytime hours when depot charging isn’t an option. Real-time availability information and consistent uptime shift from nice-to-haves to operational requirements.
There’s also the coverage question. While public charging networks are expanding rapidly in urban and retail locations, which often align well with fleet operational areas, the key is ensuring sufficient density and strategic placement along the specific routes and service areas that councils actually use day-to-day.
The good news? These aren’t fundamental barriers to fleet electrification – they’re design challenges that forward-thinking charge point operators are actively addressing. The question for local authorities isn’t whether public charging can support fleet needs, but rather which CPO partners understand those needs and are building accordingly.
Source: Public charging built with fleets in mind
At Source, we’ve designed our ultra-rapid charging network specifically recognising that commercial fleet operations have different requirements than private motorists. Every hub we build reflects an understanding of what councils actually need to keep vehicles operational.
Fleet-ready infrastructure: Our hubs feature bays with larger dimensions and pull-through access configurations. At our Ocean Terminal hub in Edinburgh – our first UK site launched in May – bays are deliberately wider and longer than standard dimensions, with layouts that accommodate vans, minibuses, and commercial vehicles. Our 4.32 ChargeSafe rating confirms this isn’t just about size, it’s comprehensive attention to accessibility, lighting, and user experience that works for all vehicle types and all users, including those with mobility requirements.
Guaranteed uptime: We maintain network reliability above 99% through 24/7 AI-powered monitoring. Two-thirds of faults are identified remotely, with 60% resolved overnight before any customer impact. Enhanced service level agreements with manufacturers ensure swift resolution when issues do arise. For fleet managers, this reliability translates directly to operational confidence – your drivers won’t be stranded.
Strategic locations: We site hubs where fleets actually operate, not just where land is cheap. This means arterial routes, destinations where drivers naturally stop, and areas that complement rather than compete with depot charging strategies. Our target is 300 hubs across the UK and Ireland by 2030, ensuring coverage where public sector and commercial fleets actually need it. Drivers can check bay availability in real-time through our SourceConnect app and online, eliminating the “will there be an available charger?” anxiety.
Renewable energy as standard: As a joint venture between SSE (the UK’s largest renewable generator) and TotalEnergies, every charge at a Source hub is powered by renewable energy. This isn’t an add-on or premium option. It’s fundamental to who we are, ensuring your fleet electrification delivers genuine environmental benefits.
Making it work
Public ultra-rapid charging isn’t a backup plan, it’s an essential pillar of successful fleet electrification. The councils making the most progress recognise this early and plan their charging strategy accordingly, ensuring their drivers have access to reliable, fleet-ready public infrastructure from day one.
At Source, we’re building our network with this reality in mind – creating charging infrastructure that supports how councils actually work. Our hubs are designed to fill the operational gaps that depot charging can’t address. They’re positioned where your drivers need them, built to accommodate your vehicles, and maintained to standards that match your service expectations.
We welcome conversations with local authorities at any stage of their electrification journey, whether you’re just starting to plan or already have vehicles on order. Early engagement helps us ensure our hub rollout aligns with where you’ll need coverage most.
More Information:
Ready to discuss how Source can support your fleet electrification strategy? Visit www.source-ev.com or contact our partnerships team. Let’s build this network together.