A view of the first dedicated Shell EV hub in London, in this case a remodel of an existing gas station. Image: Shell
Multinational petroleum giant Shell is leaning into a recently announced strategic pivot towards electric vehicles, with plans to nearly quadruple its existing network of EV charging stations by 2030 — and Austin appears to be one of the first cities on the list for the oil company’s Houston-based U.S. subsidiary, with at least two local properties owned by entities linked to Shell USA now in the permitting process for the construction of projects both using the name Shell EV Hub.
The 1950s-era service station at 5253 North Lamar Boulevard occupied for many years by the auto repair shop of Floyd Schkade, now set to be demolished for a Shell EV charging hub. Image: Google Maps
The former lawn equipment rental center and auto inspection station at 2915 South First Street, also set to be demolished and converted to a Shell EV charging hub. Image: Google Maps
Two existing properties at 5253 North Lamar Boulevard and 2915 South First Street, both occupied by former auto service garages and purchased within the last year by Shell USA subsidiary Equilon Enterprises, have received demolition approval from the City of Austin for the construction of projects using the specific title “Shell EV Hub.” Unlike the EV chargers located at existing gas stations under the company’s Shell Recharge branding, the EV hub appears to be closer to a flagship electric-only concept previously tested in London and Paris, with the London location featuring a collection of rapid charging stations shaded by a canopy very prominently built from timber and topped with solar panels — an elegant if slightly hamfisted design expression of Shell’s stated commitment to renewable energy.
The demolition permits approved for both sites this month, filed by national design consultancy GPD Group on behalf of Shell USA, describe the replacement project as a “Parking lot with electric vehicle charging stations and shade canopies.” No further details for the projects are publicly available at this stage of development, so it’s unclear if these stations will feature the same sort of eco-modern canopy design as the London EV hub, but either way it’s understandable that Shell would begin its push for dedicated electric charging sites in Austin, with Travis County now leading the state in new EV registrations. Still, we can’t help but notice the first two words of that project description — even if it’s charging electric vehicles, it is fair to summarize these plans by saying that an oil company is building two parking lots in Austin.
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