[jgwozdzicki]

Sky news are reporting that Shell is buying up Ubitricity now and adding it to its charging portfolio. Seems like they’re finally accepting the winds are changing and buying up the players in the market to provide them with revenue as people slowly switch.

Shell targets electric car charging network through ubitricity deal

The oil major bolsters its electric vehicle charging network through the purchase of ubitricity for an undisclosed sum.

news.sky.com

 

[davesul]

And see this thread Shell agrees to buy ubitricity

 

[proddick]

I am still cynical of these companies - I hope that their intention is honourable...

One worry I have is they raise prices to make EVs as expensive to fuel as petrol, while they plan their synthetic or Bio fuel alternatives.

 

[Electrickery]

I am still cynical of these companies - I hope that their intention is honourable...

One worry I have is they raise prices to make EVs as expensive to fuel as petrol, while they plan their synthetic or Bio fuel alternatives.

It's probably more to do with them worried about the loss of non fuel sales at service stations, which is where they make most of their profit these days. Bio fuels are discredited and synth fuel presumably still has tailpipe emission issues. I can only see synth fuel being used in planes and maybe HGVs in the near term.

 

[cah197]

I am still cynical of these companies - I hope that their intention is honourable...

If they found out that they could make a renewable fuel by boiling down old grannies and baby seals, they’d probably find a way to do it.

Why do they need to be ‘honorable’?

They’re an energy company, so they’ll want to supply you energy in whatever form you’re prepared to pay for it.

 

[EdH]

It's probably more to do with them worried about the loss of non fuel sales at service stations, which is where they make most of their profit these days. Bio fuels are discredited and synth fuel presumably still has tailpipe emission issues. I can only see synth fuel being used in planes and maybe HGVs in the near term.

Indeed, its about time they began to introduce EV charging at all their service stations. Must be the best way to maximise non fuel sales. Energy is all about money so I can't see their being great interest in bio fuels. The energy producers will be looking very carefully at the economically best ways to store and release energy from wind to match supply and demand. Gas does this at the moment but the winning technology for storage might be battery, thermal, pumped hydro, hydrogen .............etc.

 

[freddym]

I am still cynical of these companies - I hope that their intention is honourable...

One worry I have is they raise prices to make EVs as expensive to fuel as petrol, while they plan their synthetic or Bio fuel alternatives.

Why would their intentions be honourable? It's not in their DNA.

 

[jgwozdzicki]

true but I was listening

They’re an energy company, so they’ll want to supply you energy in whatever form you’re prepared to pay for it.

I was listening to an energy transition podcast yesterday (the energy transition show with Chris Nelder if anyone is interested) and he was interviewing Carey King about his new book about the economic superorgsnsim and how the economy and organisms seem to have links about how big and fast they grow is proportional to energy availability and consumption. He also talks about how businesses need to start thinking about all round sustainability practices in order to survive otherwise you eventually consume yourself. I guess this is to some degree what some (mainly European) energy companies are doing by diversification. Ultimately it’s survival of the fittest however they get there.

 

[cah197]

Of course the reality is I doubt that Ubitricity or any of the other EV charging companies are profitable.

In fact they're probably haemorrhaging cash.

It's either sell to a larger company or cease to exist.

 

[EdH]

Probably right, but the trump card that the major fossil based companies have is their existing sites along trunk routes with most of the infrastructure in place

 

[electric_dreams]

Probably right, but the trump card that the major fossil based companies have is their existing sites along trunk routes with most of the infrastructure in place

Yes, and for an EV rapid charging company, being bought by somebody who already has sites benefits both parties.

Ubitricity is a bit of an odd choice though, as they don't do rapid charging. Shell do supply home energy, so maybe the thinking is energy customers who can't have a charger fitted at their house, would be able to charge via Ubitricity at their home electricity price?

 

[freddym]

Probably right, but the trump card that the major fossil based companies have is their existing sites along trunk routes with most of the infrastructure in place

The petrol forecourts arnt ideal because I'm general they don't have high power supplies.

Personally, I gave up on buying my gas from the coal man a very long time ago.

 

[EdH]

The petrol forecourts arnt ideal because I'm general they don't have high power supplies.

Personally, I gave up on buying my gas from the coal man a very long time ago.

Well it might be that some electrical cables are needed, but the existing service stations are pretty well sited on major trunk roads with other infrastructure in place. Really though, I was making the point that the service stations are something that fossil fuel companies already have and could (if they choose) make better use of as EV usage increases, and still make profits from non fuel purchases. Sort of makes sense to me.
Agreed though that buying Ubitricity seems at first no to be a good fit.

 

[gomev]

The petrol forecourts arnt ideal because I'm general they don't have high power supplies.

Personally, I gave up on buying my gas from the coal man a very long time ago.

Until of course the coal man became the gas man.

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

Well it might be that some electrical cables are needed, but the existing service stations are pretty well sited on major trunk roads with other infrastructure in place. Really though, I was making the point that the service stations are something that fossil fuel companies already have and could (if they choose) make better use of as EV usage increases, and still make profits from non fuel purchases. Sort of makes sense to me.
Agreed though that buying Ubitricity seems at first no to be a good fit.

Shell are already converting their Fulham Road, London site to EVs only.

 

[EdH]

And that is a good idea.

 

[Chris Paulin]

The petrol forecourts aren't ideal because In general they don't have high power supplies.

 

[Chris Paulin]

Agreed, my local Shell station installed 3 Rapid chargers well before Christmas and are still awaiting the power connection

 

[Jymhall]

Agreed, my local Shell station installed 3 Rapid chargers well before Christmas and are still awaiting the power connection

Mines the same - 2 installed when they levelled it & re-built over 6 months ago , still not working...

 

[Electrickery]

If they remove some of the underground petrol storage tanks they have also got room for some decent battery storage!