Shell installs first 150kW charger at UK forecourt

Shell has installed what it believes is the first 150kW rapid charger to be located on a UK fuel-station forecourt.

Now operational at Shell’s Battersea Service Station on Queenstown Road in London, the unit joins the existing 50kW chargers available on the Shell Recharge network.

Few cars are capable of 150kW charging speeds at this stage, although those that are – such as the Audi e-tron – could see an 80% charge delivered in as little as half an hour.

Shell says customers will be able to pay for charging with a contactless card, the NewMotion app (or card) or the SMOOV app.

There are no connection or subscription fees: charging is currently priced at 39p per kWh, almost three times the rate typically applied to household electricity tariffs.

Speaking about the new rapid charger, Bernie Williamson, Shell’s general manager for retail in the UK, said: “More of our customers are driving electric vehicles and as they do we will offer them the ability to charge where it suits them – on the road, at home and at work.

“This new 150kW charger is the latest addition to our Shell Recharge offering, joining the range of 50kW chargers we have already installed on our forecourts. Our aim is to make charging up as simple and stress-free as possible.”

Shell Recharge is run with charging provider Allego. The company’s CEO, Anja van Niersen, said: “Electric mobility is developing very fast and a new generation of e-cars is now available for consumers. We highly value Shell’s initiative to integrate high-powered charging at their service stations.

“We know that electric vehicle drivers want the right charging solution at the right place, to be always available and combined with excellent services. Shell Recharge shows how these wishes can be met.”