In the UK, Shell is Converting Gas Stations to Charging Centers
Around these parts, and in most locations across the country, some fuel stations are busying themselves with squeezing a couple of EV charging stations along the perimeter of their property to supplement the gas and diesel pumps already in existence. Across the pond, one conglomerate is taking things a step further in some areas, planning wholesale changes in which they swap pumps for plugs.
Shell UK is calling them EV charging hubs, stations that look suspiciously like a traditional fuel stop and convenience store but with Level 3 chargers in place of traditional gas pumps. This rendering is of a spot in Fulham, central London, where such a conversion is currently underway. When complete, it will feature 10 high-powered, 175kW charge points. These brutes can deliver power many times faster than the typical 50kW Level 3 chargers, which can typically charge a compatible EV from nearly flat to about 80 percent in roughly 30 or 45 minutes.
Retaining the traditional corner store aspect of the equation helps in a couple of ways. First, anyone who’s ever run a fuel station knows the sale of gasoline actually provides a frighteningly small portion of business profits. A small shop permits the purchase of revenue-laden items like snacks and drinks. Second, Shell says there will be a lounge customers can use while waiting for their car to juice itself, providing a comfortable spot in which to wheedle the time and an opportunity for impulse shopping. There will be the typical roadside facilities like a coffee shop.
Hauling one’s EV underneath an expansive canopy (topped with solar panels, natch) beats the tar out of finding a charging port in the back of a gas station by the dumpsters. As all-electric trucks enter the markets – not in the UK, but here – this type of roll-thru design also solves the problem of charging an EV pickup with a trailer in tow.
No, this isn’t going to work everywhere – especially in America where driving distances are often long particularly when compared to the typical UK road trip. However, a case could be made for this type of conversion in some city centers, where the EV take rate is higher and many vehicles are simply used for commutes or maybe the scattered road trip. Hard to believe, I know, but not everyone is like TTAC authors and readers who’ll gladly take on a cross-country drive at the drop of a hat.
Planning permission for the hub was given in Q1 of last year. Shell aims to have the place open for business before this summer rolls around.
[Image: Shell UK]
Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.
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@mcs--Having had both an air to air heat pump and open loop ground water heat pump for 14 years in rural Northern Kentucky the air conditioning was very cool and was about 50% savings on my electric bill. The heat was adequate but below 30 degrees the heat strips kicked in and the savings were much less possibly about 20% over straight electric. Anything above 30 degrees the heat strip did not kick in. I had an open loop system because I had a deep underground aquifer that was larger and wider that the Ohio River that I lived near that was over 100 feet down. Water was plentiful so plentiful that after I moved the county I lived in started using it as a water source. At the time I installed the heat pump the company installing it told me it would be less expensive and just as efficient for me to not recirculate the water since I owned the well and used it as my home water source. I was told that there was enough water in that underground river to serve several cities and that for my use I would never run out of water. My electric rates with KY Rural Cooperative are among the cheapest in the country because of coal but even with KY using more natural gas they haven't gone up much. My current suburban home has natural gas and electric ac. After my experience if I were building my own home as I did when I lived in the country I would put in a closed loop heat pump but have a backup natural gas heat system for the heat especially when the temperatures reach below 30 degrees. Really miss the heat pump air conditioning it felt much cooler than electric ac and the cost savings was great. My water from the heat pump was not entirely wasted since it watered some pine trees that grew about 2 feet a year and provided protection from the wind and dusty farm fields.
I find it super interesting that comments on US sites are so much more anti electrification, I guess this is partly a function of distance travelled. Can we remember two pros on electrification that seem to get left out: Not poisoning ourselves with air pollution. Not funding Putin/Iran/Saudi Arabia/Venezuela every time we drive to the shops.