A new range of ultrafast car charging points is being installed across Europe, with the aim of charging an electric vehicle for a 150km range, in just five minutes.

Anglo-Dutch energy company, Shell, has introduced its first range of high-powered chargers, which should take just ten minutes to charge the next generation of EVs. The new charging points will be three times faster than any charger currently available to drivers, though there are no cars on the market at the moment which are designed to take the new charge of 350-kilowatts.

Porsche’s Taycan is likely to be one of the first cars to benefit from the new chargers, the luxury car will go on sale in 2019, by which time Shell should have increased their network of ultrafast chargers to nearly 80.

“Electric vehicle drivers should be able to travel long distances confidently and with ease,” David Bunch, Shell’s Vice President Retail in Europe, said. “Creating a convenient network of reliable, powerful chargers is vital for getting many more electric vehicles on the road.”

Shell have partnered with IONITY, which is a joint venture between BMW, Daimler, Ford and Volkswagen who have Audi and Porsche. It’s expected that together there will be a network of 400 chargers next to major highways in Europe.

IONITY’s Chief Executive, Michael Hajesch said: “Back in November last year Shell and IONITY announced a common goal: to enable convenient long-distance travel with electric vehicles across Europe by providing reliable fast-charging infrastructure,” One year on, the first IONITY stations operating in partnership with Shell represent a significant step in achieving that goal.”

Shell’s investment is part of an increasing trend from traditional oil companies to support the electric car market, with BP and Total also recently announcing charging related partnerships.

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