Shell is planning to install 50,000 on-street EV charging points across the UK by the end of 2025, helping local authorities to get charging networks up and running as soon as possible.

Shell will support local authorities with a financing offer to install the chargers at potentially zero cost

The charge points will be installed by Ubitricity, which was acquired by Shell at the start of 2021, and Shell will support local authorities with a financing offer to install the chargers at potentially zero cost.

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) currently meets 75% of the cost of installing on-street chargers through the On-Street Residential Charging Scheme (ORCS).

And for local authorities looking to install Ubitricity charge posts, Shell has said it’s prepared to cover the remaining costs, subject to commercial terms.

The new charging points would join the c. 3,600 Ubitricity chargers already in place in the UK, using existing street infrastructure such as lamp posts and bollards, and would support the estimated 40%+ of drivers who don’t have access to off-street parking.

“It’s vital to speed up the pace of EV charger installation across the UK and this aim and financing offer is designed to help achieve that,” said David Bunch, Shell’s UK country chair. “Whether at home, at work or on-the-go, we want to give drivers across the UK accessible EV charging options, so that more drivers can switch to electric.”

Recent research by the Climate Change Committee recently recommended that the Government should aim for there to be around 150,000 public charge points operating by 2025. These should be widely available across all regions of the UK.

Globally, Shell wants to grow its electric vehicle network from more than 60,000 charge points today to around 500,000 by 2025. This is part of its broader target to be a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, in step with society’s progress in achieving the goal of the UN Paris Agreement on climate change.