Shell introduces a variable pricing system for rapid electric vehicle charging
Shell Germany has announced a groundbreaking pilot project for dynamic electricity prices at fast-charging stations, set to commence on June 30, 2025. This innovative initiative will leverage market-driven price signals to promote charging behaviours that support grid stability and enhance the utilisation of renewable energies.
The project, which includes the integration of renewable energies, is an additional offering in Shell's new paths in e-mobility. The "Shell Recharge e-Deal" offers a monthly discounted price that may vary based on the current price, providing financial incentives for electric vehicle (EV) drivers to charge when electricity is cheap.
The requirement for the dynamic pricing model is the use of the Shell Recharge app or the Shell Recharge charging card. EV drivers with these credentials can currently charge at prices starting from 42 cents/kWh. The monthly basic fee for the "Shell Recharge e-Deal" is 4.99 euros, with a limit of 400 kWh per month.
The spot price, determined daily on the power exchange based on supply and demand forecasts, will influence the prices at Shell Recharge charging stations. Prices may vary depending on the wholesale electricity price and other factors, with a maximum difference of around 6 cents per kWh. This transparency and variability are communicated to users through the Shell Recharge app in real time, enabling consumers to make cost-effective charging choices.
By incentivising charging during low price periods, such as midday when solar power peaks, Shell encourages EV drivers to contribute to grid stability. Charging when renewable generation is high helps absorb excess electricity, reducing the strain on the grid and mitigating the need for fossil-fuel-based balancing power plants.
In addition, by aligning EV charging demand with supply peaks of renewables, the dynamic pricing model facilitates better integration of variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind. This contributes to a more flexible and responsive electricity system that can better accommodate renewables without requiring as much backup capacity.
Florian Glattes, Shell Mobility DACH’s General Manager, emphasises the significance of the project, stating, “Charging at times when there is a lot of renewable energy in the grid helps to stabilise the power grid.”
Shell will align its more than 1,600 charging points with the fluctuations in the spot price of electricity, aiming to foster a more sustainable and efficient electric mobility ecosystem. The project's ultimate goal is to provide insights into customer attractiveness and grid stability contribution, paving the way for future advancements in renewable energy integration and e-mobility.
- Shell's dynamic electricity pricing model, as part of the Shell Recharge e-Deal, encourages Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers to charge when prices are cheap, often during periods of high renewable energy production in the industry.
- In the quest for a more sustainable and efficient electric mobility ecosystem, Shell plans to align its charging points with the fluctuations in the spot price of electricity, promoting charging behaviours that support grid stability and enhance the utilization of renewable energies in the technology sector.
