Shell UK has extended its ambition to installing electric vehicle (EV) chargers across the UK, setting itself a new target for the end of the decade. By 2030, the company aims to have installed a total of 100,000 public EV charge points up and down the country.

Of these charge points, 11,000 are planned to be rapid chargers – at locations such as charging hubs, forecourts, supermarkets and other destinations. This should mean that 90% of all UK drivers will be within a 10-minute drive of a Shell rapid charger, which allow many cars to reach 80% within approximately 30 minutes, subject to the specification of the car battery.

The remaining 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 of time.

In addition to the public charge points, Shell’s installation of EV chargers at private locations, for home charging and workplace charging, will also continue to grow. Shell estimates that by the end of 2030 it could have installed 500,000 such chargers.

“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,” said David Bunch, Shell UK Country Chair.

“This expansion is part of our planned investment of up to £25 billion 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.”

These 2030 ambitions for Shell’s EV charging network build upon Shell’s September 2021 announcement of installing 50,000 on-street chargers by 2025 through Shell-owned ubitricity.

Globally, Shell is aiming to operate 2.5 million EV charge points by 2030, as part of a broader target to be a net zero emissions energy business by 2050.

“The UK’s network of electric vehicle charge points is rapidly growing and we’re making it easier than ever for drivers to join the green transport revolution,” said Rt Hon Grant Shapps, UK Secretary of State for Transport.

“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.”