FT shell Recharge in use

Shell UK has extended and  increased its target for installing EV chargers across the UK to 100,000 public EV charge points by 2030.

It also pledged that 11,000 of these will be rapid chargers at locations including charging hubs, forecourts, supermarkets and other destinations. This would mean that 90% of all UK drivers will be within a 10-minute drive of a Shell rapid charger.

The other new chargers in the updated target will be on-street charge points integrated into street infrastructure such as lampposts, which charge vehicles over longer periods.

In addition to the public charge points, Shell is also installing EV chargers at private locations, such as homes and workplaces, and it estimates that by the end of 2030 it could have installed 500,000 such chargers.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “The UK’s network of electric vehicle chargepoints is rapidly growing and we’re making it easier than ever for drivers to join the green transport revolution. It’s crucial that government and industry join forces on this transition and Shell’s announcement today will provide a huge boost for drivers, making charging quick and convenient no matter where they are in the UK.

“This step forward supports the government’s recently published £1.6bn Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy where we committed to making the charging network more affordable and accessible and I hope this news encourages more motorists to take the step towards zero-emission driving.”

David Bunch, Shell UK country chair, said: “Whether at home, at work or on the go, we want to give drivers charging options so that more can switch to an EV. Access to public charging needs to be made available to everyone, no matter where you live. This expansion is part of our planned investment of up to £25bn in UK energy infrastructure over the next decade, 75% of which will be in low and zero carbon projects. This is a huge investment in the UK energy system of the future.”

The companies new targets for 2030 build on Shell’s September 2021 announcement that it would install 50,000 on-street chargers by 2025 through Shell-owned ubitricity.

Globally, Shell aims to operate 2.5 million electric vehicle charge points by 2030 as part of its target to be a net zero emissions energy business by 2050.