Some oil companies are well aware of the world’s car fleet fast transition to electric vehicles and they are looking to adapt. As electric cars increase in popularity, gas stations will be forcefully downgraded to simple convenience stores and consequently, they will lose a significant revenue stream.

Shell aims to not be left out in this transition by installing electric vehicle chargers at their gas stations.

They announced earlier this year that they would start deploying the charging stations in Britain and the Netherlands later this year, but today, they confirmed the first few stations through a partnership with Allego.

The electric vehicle charging network wrote in a press release:

“The first chargers are due to open in Greater London, Derby and the western part of the Netherlands (Randstad) by the end of 2017.”

Interestingly, they confirm that they will be using DC fast-charging station, but the chargers are capped at 50 kW, which is unfortunate in 2017 when other companies are deploying chargers capable of much higher charge rates. Like Tesla’s Superchargers capable of 120 kW and Porsche even started deploying its first 350 kW chargers.

Nonetheless, it’s better than deploying level 2 chargers and it should especially be useful for Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, and owners of other CHAdeMO/CCS compatible electric cars. Tesla owners could also benefit if they deploy CHAdeMO adapters like with the Allego charging station pictured above.

Anja van Niersen, CEO of Allego, commented on the announcement:

“We are proud being a service partner for Shell and that we can contribute to the transition towards cleaner mobility. We are looking forward to support Shell in delivering excellent value to its customers. We see that people are willing to shift towards electric mobility. But a lack of appropriate level of charging infrastructure and interoperable charging services is one of their main concerns. Allego and Shell join forces by adding fast chargers at the right service stations. Shell now actively contributes in creating a reliable and open charging network. A network that is accessible for all EV drivers, despite the brand of the car.”

Shell didn’t reveal how many gas stations will get chargers. With 25,000 Shell-branded gas stations in the world, it would significantly increase the electric vehicle charging infrastructure if they decide to deploy stations at every location – though it’s unlikely at the moment.

Interestingly, the initiative comes just as the UK is considering a new bill to make gas stations install electric car chargers.

It looks like this mural of the “evolution” of gas stations at Tesla’s factory in Fremont might have been a window into the future:

Tesla even started installing Superchargers at QuickCheck gas stations in the US and at other locations near gas stations.

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