Creating a Clean Energy Ecosystem – How Shell Recharge Solutions is Facilitating the Switch to EVs

Around one-third of all carbon dioxide emissions come from the transportation sector in the UK. 

It’s an inconvenient truth for many drivers and businesses alike. But the world’s energy systems are complex and interwoven, and so taking effective action is a daunting task even for a single business. However, the times are, fortunately, changing. 

Shell Recharge Solutions, for example, is focused on providing an entire ecosystem of EV charging, including on-the-go, at home, and at work. 

When it comes to the workplace specifically, Shell Recharge Solutions is looking to grow the number of available electric chargers on-the-go in the UK, including by expanding its public roaming network through roaming partnerships. This will help businesses adapt to changing demands, with access to even more charge points on-the-go, on top of workplace and home charge points for employees, without worrying about business disruption. The company is providing the opportunity for both fleet and private drivers to switch to e-mobility through building the charging infrastructure available.

Euan Moir, Regional Manager for the UK & Nordics at Shell Recharge Solutions Europe, outlines how customers can benefit from on-the-go charging to improve business operations and enhance the EV driver experience.

Building for the Future 

“Obviously, a lot contributes to climate change,” says Moir, “and CO2 emissions from transport are just a single piece of the puzzle.”

At Shell Recharge Solutions, we’re working to help our customers – which range from drivers on their commutes, to road-trippers, to businesses doing last-mile and long-distance deliveries – move from ICE to EVs with ease.”

Naturally, a lot of the heavy lifting for the switch to EVs will come from wider charging availability. In fact, Shell Recharge Solutions supports parent company Shell's target to operate over 500,000 charge points by 2025 and 2,5 million by 2030. For Moir and the company, the real challenge will be getting drivers to change their mentality.

“We want to help drivers think smarter and choose more sustainable options for mobility,” Moir explains. 

“Providing the necessary charging infrastructure to help drivers switch is essential, of course, but we need to make sure that drivers know that a seamless transition is possible and that they won’t be suffering from range – or charge – anxiety.

“Similarly, businesses need to feel reassured that they will be able to keep all their vehicles charged and ready to go without disrupting their operations. What’s more, companies need to know that moving away from the combustion engine won’t affect the bottom line.”

Helping everybody understand that switching to EVs can support a clean energy ecosystem, from on-the-go, at home and at work charging, and that they can make the switch to e-mobility now, is essential.  

As such, Shell Recharge Solutions isn’t simply providing a whole range of charging solutions all over the UK, from charge points to charging networks – it is also helping to educate everyone about the possibility of a low carbon future. So much so, that by 2030 90% of drivers will be within 10 minutes of a Shell rapid charger.

If You Build it, They Will Come

Of course, one of the most effective ways to show drivers and businesses that EVs are now completely viable is by making the infrastructure they need to charge more visible.

Shell Recharge Solutions offers access to a large network of public charge points via one app or charge card. In the UK over 12,000 charge points, over a third of the total public charge points in the country, and in Europe over 300,000 public charge points can be accessed with the Shell Recharge card and app. Those numbers are obviously vast and incomprehensible to the average driver. Anyone would be forgiven for asking questions such as: is half a million enough? Is that more or less than the number of petrol pumps? How long will it take to charge? What if someone else is using them when I get there? 

Instead, Shell Recharge Solutions is working to show, rather than tell, drivers that the infrastructure is coming.

“As an example of the wider Shell’s company commitment to charging infastructure, Shell’s Fulham Road EV Charging Hub is the first of its kind in the UK,” explains Moir. 

The site, a stone’s throw from Putney Bridge and Parsons Green in West London, was converted from a petrol station and features nine ultra-rapid 175 kW charging points capable of delivering a 0-80% charge in around 30 minutes. 

It’s stylish as well, with curved wooden canopies covering the charging bays – requiring less energy to produce and transport than steel. Costa Coffee and a Little Waitrose are also on-site allowing drivers to recharge themselves, not just their cars. However, there’s more than just a stylish design and premium shopping at play here.

“Power is supplied by 100% renewable energy,” continues Moir, “a quarter of the station’s power comes from roof-mounted solar panels, for example.

“And it’s just the beginning of our rapid expansion plan, we’ll be helping drivers all over the UK travel with ease in the coming months.”

Street Smarts 

The switch to EVs won’t simply reshape the way our streets and service stations look by swapping petrol pumps for plugs. Instead, once EVs become truly mainstream, there will be a wide range of benefits for everyone – beyond clean air. 

“We’ve done many pilots the past years with V2X technology, though this is not our focus at the moment. Our bi-directional charging stations allow electric car owners to charge their vehicles whilst also facilitating the discharge of the battery – basically selling power back to the grid or for your own use when power is more expensive at peak times,” explains Moir.

“When you first look at it, EVs might seem like a drain on the grid,” says Moir, “but the future looks bright. In the near future, smart charging solutions will have the ability to schedule charging sessions for when there is more renewable energy available, and while there is a lower demand for power, for example at night. This can help charge more EVs with renewable energy and at the same time, your car will have a full battery when you need it, so it’s no hassle to arrange for charging to be delayed.”

Similarly, Shell Recharge Solutions is helping make the charging experience easier for drivers by making payments more straightforward.

Using a public charger in the UK often requires drivers to have a confusing boatload of apps and cards to access the range of different charging stations, with Shell Recharge Solution’s latest EV Driver Survey finding that over half (55%) of UK EV drivers carried four of more charge cards. Instead, Shell Recharge Solutions is working to reduce the number of cards drivers need through access to its public charging network.

The EV revolution is gathering pace and the looming bans on the sale of new ICE vehicles will certainly help encourage more drivers into more low emission vehicles. Shell Recharge Solutions, meanwhile, is working to lay the foundations needed for the wholesale transition using its innovation-driven approach.

The company’s research and development team is working hard to bring new features to drivers, while its market-leading position is drawing in pioneering partners to help explore new avenues for convenience, speed, and ultimately, a lower carbon future.