Tahoe

Make
Chevrolet
Segment
SUV

Charging network operator, Volta announced this week that Shell USA Inc. will acquire all outstanding Class A common stock shares in the EV charging company for $0.86 each in cash. The deal is expected to be finalized before the second half of the year and seems like a total no-brainer. Shell and other big oil companies are perfectly positioned to make the expansion of an EV charging network possible in the most convenient ways, which may help to alleviate concerns about range anxiety.

By helping to grow a practical charging network, Shell can take advantage of early adopters, simultaneously becoming known as a reliable source of EV power in the future, when EVs may be the only form of transport open to us.

By expanding its reach into electric vehicle chargers, Shell will be prepared for a future with or without gasoline.

"Both Volta and Shell have a demonstrated ability to meet the changing needs of customers, and this acquisition will bring that experience together to provide the options that are needed as more drivers choose electric," said Vince Cubbage, Volta's interim CEO.

Among other reasons, the slow uptake of EVs compared to traditional vehicles can be attributed to factors like range anxiety and poor charging infrastructure. While the US government has stepped in to help, there is still much work to be done.

Even automakers beyond Tesla have decided to take up the challenge of improving the charging network; Mercedes-Benz has announced its intention to build over 10,000 charge points worldwide, starting in North America.

This is encouraging news for those who have rushed to embrace EVs early, but it is not necessarily indicative of a changing sentiment among big oil execs. Companies like Shell have been considering investing more heavily in EV infrastructure for years, but they will only ever offer what the market asks for.

Politicians in some states are opposed to EVs and will work to discourage their adoption, while others have embraced the idea of a zero-emission future. The above image shows a gas-guzzling Chevrolet Tahoe on a Shell gas station forecourt, and vehicles like these will continue to be provided for as long as the public buys them.

In a nutshell, this move by Shell signifies that both automakers and energy giants are preparing for both sides of the same coin. While the buying public and voters will ultimately decide where mobility policy is headed, gas companies will do whatever it takes to continue earning money.

If it makes our lives more convenient, we can't complain.