Who would be your ideal road trip companion? Someone who would keep you entertained and informed on a long journey, helping you to find the way and giving useful advice. Maybe they’d even treat you to the odd coffee while you are having a break.
While your top choices are likely to include celebrities and loved ones, we have another suggestion – the Shell App. Whether you are a new or seasoned electric car driver, it is a companion you will want to keep by your side to help you plan journeys and keep you topped up. It will also help you pay for charging (or fuel in a PHEV) and even reward you with discounts and freebies to keep your energy levels up too.
The App is just one of the ways Shell is easing the inevitable anxiety for electric car drivers who are making longer journeys. While data from a recent Shall Recharge survey shows that EVs tend to be driven further over the course of a year than internal combustion models, we all know that those bigger trips are the ones people will worry about most and are often the reason people are reluctant to make the switch to electric in the first place. In the survey, just 14% of European drivers who were thinking about buying an EV thought they could drive as far as in a conventionally vehicle without worrying. Only 22% of those drivers thought charging points are widely available.
However long journeys in your electric car are now easier than ever thanks to the UK’s ever- expanding rapid charging network. Shell’s forecourt charging hubs are perfectly placed on some of the UK’s busiest roads, meaning that drivers don’t need to divert to top up and charge, and can plug in at the places we are all used to filling up petrol and diesel vehicles. Other Shell Recharge fast and rapid chargers are installed in locations you might naturally stop on the way to your destination, such as supermarket car parks. You might even find one on the street when you arrive.
You can check if the chargers are available and see how busy it is at the hub, allowing you to make sure you aren’t having to wait for a slot at busier times and can get back on the road faster.
Once you’ve found the perfect charge spot, you can start, stop and monitor your live sessions using the App. You’ll also save 10p per kWh when paying via the App or Shell Recharge RFID card compared to the price when using a contactless credit or debit card. That could add up to a saving of around £6 on a 20-80% charge for a larger electric SUV.
Shell Recharge’s rapid and ultra rapid chargers typically provide that 20-80% charge in around 30 minutes or less, depending on the car and conditions*. This will give you just enough time to make use of the App’s other discounts. Simply show your app at the checkout and you’ll be given a generous 10% off sandwiches, hot snacks and sweet treats from deli by Shell. There is also a coffee stamp tracker, with every 8th coffee being free, and you can get 10% off a car wash if you want to arrive at your destination showing a little extra sparkle.
You will also earn one point for every kWh charged, which you can redeem against fuel, groceries from inside the store, or exchange for partner e-gift cards from outlets including Aldi, Uber Eats and John Lewis.
So when you are planning a more adventurous journey, you can relax, knowing Shell and the Shell App will be at your side, making every trip more rewarding and hassle free.
*Charger speeds may vary. 20 to 80% charge in 30 minutes or less, on 150Kw chargers or above.
The Shell App will help you find charger hubs and save you money too 
