A forecourt on the northbound M6 that has the distinction of being the only standalone filling station on the motorway network is one of four sites earmarked for ultra-rapid chargepoints by Shell.
The charging zone at Shell Carlisle North between Carlisle and Gretna – also referred to as Todhills Rest Area – will offer six units delivering up to 150kWh of charge, as well as a picnic area. It is due to open in July, says the fuel company.
Shell is also rolling out similar installations at its urban forecourts in Elstree Way, Borehamwood; Eastern Avenue, Romford; and Bingley Road, Shipley. The amenities on offer at these sites, says Shell, will be Deli by Shell, Costa Express, and Amazon Locker.
Shell already operates ultra-rapid sites at Apex Corner, London; Loughborough; Poole; Shoreham-by-Sea; and Stoke-on-Trent.
The company says it expects to be running a network of more than 700 fast and ultra-fast Shell Recharge points by the end of 2024 in locations such as Waitrose and Aldi supermarket car parks, as well as its service stations.
The M6 site will also include the fuel supplier’s Shell Select branding, the Deli by Shell food-to-go offering and a Costa Express.
The facility, together with its sister site on the southbound carriageway, was previously run by Moto and included a separate Costa Coffee unit. However, this closed in February last year. Moto still runs the more substantial southbound service area, which includes a Costa Coffee outlet, Travelodge hotel, and Gridserve charging stations.
Todhills is a legacy of when the stretch of the M6 between Gretna and Carlisle was the A74 before being upgraded in 2008, leaving the facilities as the only service areas that did not meet strict rules for the motorway network. They are officially designated motorway rest areas by the Department for Transport.
