Re:Shell buys UK’s largest electric vehicle charging network
by sanp on Tuesday January 26, 2021 @03:49PM
(#25920870)
I think there will be greater interest from Shell here because for a while now the margins from operating gas stations largely comes from the associated convenience stores. With the longer charging times (relative to filling up a tank of petrol) customers will spend more at this convenience stores.
Re:Shell buys UK’s largest electric vehicle charging network
by LatteLazy on Tuesday January 26, 2021 @03:56PM
(#25920956)
It would be interesting to see what they can make of the market. 30min of charging time is a lot more opportunity to sell food, drinks, entertainment, etc. I wondered about a Michelin Star equivilent model: places you could stop for 30-60min, get food, be entertained. I could even see a model like a gym: pay a monthly membership stop off 2-3 times a week, charge, get fit.
It's like the opposite of fast food: I don't want to be in and out. I want to be here for at least 30min. I want comfort. I want entertainment.
Re:Shell buys UK’s largest electric vehicle charging network
by adflux on Tuesday January 26, 2021 @05:28PM
(#25921792)
Wow, really enlightening comment. I only ride a motorcycle myself so have never even thought about that.
Re:Shell buys UK’s largest electric vehicle charging network
by icu on Tuesday January 26, 2021 @04:21PM
(#25921213)
One thing that could be driving this is the rise of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing in the UK, and across the EU, due to regulatory changes.
I wouldn't be surprised if Shell's management are aware of ESG pressure from institutional investors.
Re:Shell buys UK’s largest electric vehicle charging network
by LatteLazy on Tuesday January 26, 2021 @04:45PM
(#25921429)
That's true and I hadn't thought of that angle at all. If it saves them from investor divestment for another 6 months it's a steal!
/cynicism
Re:Shell buys UK’s largest electric vehicle charging network
by avrionov on Tuesday January 26, 2021 @03:23PM
(#25920608)
I think this is very different from the Kodak situation. They are responding to market forces - the electric cars. The charging stations will provide a new revenue stream for them and it help them to transition.
Re:Shell buys UK’s largest electric vehicle charging network
by LatteLazy on Tuesday January 26, 2021 @03:53PM
(#25920915)
We'll see I guess. Personally, I think it would be brave of shell to trade petrochemicals for the electric hookup market. They'd be a middle man, in a competitive market, with no "moat" protecting them. Kodak could at least have sat on their patents for a while.
I honestly do hope I'm wrong.
We will see a lot from shat Shell does next. If they invest and expand the network, they can be the dominant player. That will show they're transitioning to the new era etc.
If they do nothing and let the network stagnate, that will delay Electric car introduction in the UK a lot.
Kodak famously developed the digital camera but couldn't bring themselves to cannibalise their own market. Will Shell now have the balls to do that or will they take the safer option and delay?