Shell to leverage Singapore's electric vehicle ambitions with new charging stations

SINGAPORE (Aug 19): In a first in Southeast Asia, oil giant shell is entering the electric vehicle charging market to allow drivers to charge their cars at selected service stations in Singapore.

Shell Recharge will offer 50kW rapid DC chargers at 55 cents per kWh. Compatible with most electric vehicles in Singapore, this can provide a 0% to 80% charge in about 30 minutes.

Shell Recharge will be available at 10 Shell stations islandwide, representing close to 20% of Shell’s retail network here.

It will first be available at the Sengkang Station starting August, before being rolled out to Newton Hooper, Alexandra, Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Paya Lebar PIE, Choa Chu Kang, Boon Lay, Havelock and Bukit Batok West by October.

The move is an effort to tap on Singaporeans’ more welcoming attitudes to electric vehicles.

In a study commissioned by Shell, one in four Singaporeans are open to buying an electric car in the next two years. The study was conducted by Edelman Intelligence in an online poll of some 1,000 Singaporeans aged 18 and above.

However the study also raised concerns that observers have raised in the past few years – an inadequate charging infrastructure.

Some 50% of respondents do not think it is possible for residents in an HDB flat, condominium or apartment to own an electric car, because there is no access to charging stations.

Indeed, the issue of charging stations is a big factor. Some 55% of respondents list it as a top concern, and 52% rate it as the biggest factor deterring them from buying or using an electric car.

Conversely, 50% of Singaporeans say they would be encouraged to buy or use an electric car if there is enough charging stations.

The study also found that Singaporeans are often unaware of how long it takes to charge an electric vehicle. Seven in 10 respondents did not know that it takes less than an hour to charge an electric car from empty to full at a fast charging station.

“Our insights show that Singaporeans worry about a lack of sufficient and fast charging options for EVs. Which is why we are taking the first step to launch Shell Recharge and offering customers a rapid charging solution at convenient and strategic locations,” says Aarti Nagarajan, general manager, Shell Retail Singapore.

“To meet the country’s climate action goals, Singapore needs more and cleaner energy solutions to power lives, businesses and transport sustainably,” says Aw Kah Peng, country chairman of Shell Companies in Singapore. “Shell Recharge is one such example of how we make it more convenient for our customers to embrace cleaner mobility.”

“Shell aims to make more of such low-carbon energy solutions available in Singapore in the months and years to come,” she adds.