The move will significantly extend the EV charging network for UK drivers who don’t have off-street parking. Shell plans to install the 50,000 charging points, via its subsidiary firm Ubitricity, by the end of 2025.

Around 3,600 Ubitricity chargers are already in place in the UK, using existing street infrastructure such as lamp posts and bollards. In order to drive take-up to reach the 50,000 figure, Shell will support local authorities with a financing offer to install more Ubitricity on-street chargers in towns and cities across the UK at potentially zero cost.

The UK government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) currently meets 75% of the cost of installing on-street chargers through the On-Street Residential Charging Scheme (ORCS). For local authorities looking to install Ubitricity charge posts, Shell is prepared to cover the remaining costs, subject to commercial terms.

More than 60% of households in English cities and urban areas don’t have off-street parking – this rises to 68% for people living in social housing, according to recent figures.

David Bunch, Shell’s UK country chair, said: “It’s vital to speed up the pace of EV charger installation across the UK and this aim and financing offer is designed to help achieve that. Whether at home, at work or on-the-go, we want to give drivers across the UK accessible EV charging options, so that more drivers can switch to electric.”

Rachel Maclean, transport minister, said: “Together with industry and local authorities, we can create cleaner, greener local communities – providing EV chargepoints for people without off-street parking across the country.

“As more and more people make the switch to electric, this is a great example of how private investment is being used alongside government support to ensure that our EV infrastructure is fit for the future. This is crucial as we build back greener and accelerate towards COP26.”

The UK Committee for Climate Change recently recommended that the UK needed 150,000 public EV charging points operating across the UK by 2025. Today’s announcement accounts for a third of that total and sits alongside the rapid roll-out of Shell-owned charge points at forecourts, supermarkets, businesses and homes.