Cast your mind back to when you first started driving. There was a lot to learn, and along with hill starts and roundabout rules, one of the many things you needed to know was how to fill up with fuel. Although it seems second nature now, you’ll have learned all about the process of choosing a pump and pouring in the petrol from a friend, or maybe your driving instructor.
Now you have an electric car you might not ever need to fill with fuel again, but you will have to learn to charge. And while it might seem a little complex right now, it will soon become as easy and familiar as pumping petrol.
To help, using a Shell Recharge point offers an experience which will be familiar to all drivers, as many are sited right where you are used to topping up – at a Shell station. Others are conveniently situated in places you will regularly visit, such as supermarket car parks.
Here’s a simple guide to how to find your nearest Shell Recharge points, plug in, and pay.
Finding your nearest Shell Recharge facilities
The chances are you will already have spotted some Shell Recharge points in the places you regularly visit or pass by. It is one of the UK’s largest EV public charging networks, providing access to over 46,000 places to plug in on streets, forecourts and in partner destinations such as Waitrose and Aldi car parks.
But if you are in an unfamiliar area then you might need to ask your smartphone or car’s sat nav to help you find one.
We’d recommend using the Shell App, which is now exactly the same one you might already use for fuel and rewards. It will allow you to find a charger and top up using the same login as you’ve used for fuel. Plus, you can unlock savings and earn Shell GO+ Rewards points, whether you are driving an electric or petrol car - or both!
If you are keen to get back out on the road after just a quick break, then you’ll want to seek out Shell Recharge’s ultra-rapid chargers. These can provide 150, 175 or even 350kW supplies which can zap enough energy to get your battery to 80% in less than half an hour in ideal conditions, if your car can accept higher power charges*.
These ultra-rapids are almost all found on Shell forecourts, so by the time you’ve grabbed a coffee, a snack and maybe tonight’s dinner from the shop you could be ready to go.
How to use a Shell Recharger
Once you have found your Shell charge point on the app, work out where the charger port is located on your car. It will look like a fuel filler flap, and you may need to press a button in the car to release it.
Some are on the front of the car, while others are on the rear wings. You’ll want to manoeuvre into the charger spot so the port is as close to the cable as possible.
Then select the correct charge plug for your car. There are two to choose from and for most vehicles it will be the one labelled CCS, but there’s no need to worry too much as it is impossible to connect using the wrong one and it will be obvious which one will fit when you look at them.
Plug the cable firmly into the port on your car, and then initiate the charging session using the instructions on the screen. You can start charging using the Shell App, an RFID card, or a with a contactless payment card. The screen will then tell you the progress of the charge. You can also monitor the charging session using the Shell App if you have paid this way, even if you are away from the car.
Unlike filling with fuel, you don’t need to be with the vehicle while it charges so you can go and do something else, like shopping, relaxing or popping to the loo. You’ll find all Shell stations have toilets available for customers! You won’t need to be gone for too long though as the chargers live up to their rapid name – and remember others may be waiting to use the charger.
When you have topped up enough you can stop the session using the same method you used to start it, by swiping a card or using the app.
Once the screen says the charging has finished, you simply pull the plug out of the port, shut the flap on your car and return it to the charger plug – just like you would with the nozzle on a petrol pump. And that’s it – you have just charged. You can now enjoy the drive – and the Shell GO+ Rewards!
*Charger speeds may vary. 20 to 80% charge in 30 minutes or less, on 150kW chargers or above
Ultra-rapid charge points can be found on Shell forecourts, where you are used to topping up your car 
