Ultra-Fast EV Charging: How Shell’s New Fluid Could Change the Game
Shell has announced a major breakthrough that could make waiting around for your EV to charge a thing of the past. Working with UK engineering firm Horiba Mira, the company has developed a new “all-in-one” thermal fluid designed to dramatically speed up electric vehicle charging - potentially cutting top-up times from 10% to 80% in under ten minutes.
Faster Charging, Simpler Tech
The new Shell EV-Plus Thermal Fluid is designed to keep electric motors, batteries, and other key components cool during ultra-fast charging sessions.
Right now, most EVs slow down their charging rate once the battery heats up, which is why topping up from 80% to 100% takes much longer. By helping the battery stay cooler for longer, Shell’s new fluid could allow drivers to charge at full power without hitting thermal limits.
For everyday EV users, that means less time waiting at public chargers - and potentially lower vehicle costs too. That’s because the new “immersive cooling” system is simpler and cheaper to build than today’s complex thermal management systems.
“A Gamechanger for Electric Cars”
Robert Mainwaring, Shell’s lead engineer on the project, described the innovation as a major milestone for EV technology.
You don’t need a patchwork of cooling systems; one fluid can do it all - enabling ultra-fast charging and improving overall performance.
Horiba Mira’s chief engineer, Dr. David Bridge, echoed the sentiment, calling the development “a critical enabler for the future of electric vehicles.”
Managing heat effectively across the powertrain is key to unlocking faster charging, longer component life, and improved safety.
Coming Soon to Future EVs
So, when will drivers actually benefit from this? Shell says this isn’t just a lab experiment. According to Cara Tredget, Shell’s vice president for Mobility and Lubricants Technology, the new cooling fluid is ready for real-world use - it just depends on when car manufacturers decide to integrate it into their next-generation EVs.
Our hope is for this breakthrough to help shape the next generation of EVs,” Tredget said. “We’re confident our thermal fluid will be implemented in production vehicles in the not-too-distant future.
Shell says the new system has been tested in everything from arctic cold to desert heat, proving it can perform in even the toughest conditions.
What It Means for Drivers
For EV owners, this kind of technology could make a huge difference to daily life - turning long charging stops into quick coffee breaks. It’s another sign that the future of ultra-fast charging is getting closer, and soon you may not need to plan your journeys so carefully around charging stops.
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