Shell, a London-based company, has identified China as a crucial growth market for electric vehicle (EV) charging, with over half of its global charging terminals located in the country. As of now, Shell has 70,000 charging piles globally, with 40,000 of them in China. The company’s first charging station in China was launched in 2018 in Tianjin, and since then, it has made significant progress in the country. Shell has also partnered with leading Chinese EV manufacturers, such as BYD, Geely, and Xiaomi, to expand its reach to private EV owners and strengthen its market position.
China is undergoing a rapid transition to sustainable transportation, with the country boasting 17.3 million charging facilities, representing a 54% increase year-on-year. The government has launched an ambitious plan to expand its EV charging infrastructure, aiming to double the country’s charging service capacity by 2027. The plan includes constructing 28 million new charging facilities nationwide, with a projected capacity of over 300 million kilowatts to meet the charging needs of more than 80 million EVs.
Shell has affirmed its ongoing investment in power capabilities, integrating them with EV charging and broader power solutions, including battery technologies. The company views China as a critical focus for its energy transition strategy and a vital innovation hub, with its advancements in EV and decarbonization technologies poised to influence the global energy landscape. Andrew Mackenzie, chairman of Shell, highlighted China’s determination to build a more reliable, innovative, efficient, sustainable, and safer energy system.
Industry experts say that China’s accelerated transition to sustainable transportation reinforces its leadership in global EV adoption. The country’s charging network is projected to deliver over 300 million kilowatts of capacity by 2027, making it the world’s largest charging network in terms of coverage. Shell’s commitment to China’s energy transition is expected to continue, with the company seeking to remain a partner of choice through the energy transition as China strives to achieve its carbon peak and neutrality goals. With its extensive global retail and mobility services network, Shell is well-positioned to support Chinese EV manufacturers in their international expansion efforts.