Shell Powers Up Hamburg With An Innovative “MCS’’ Charging Test Centre

Germany, June 2, 2025: Shell is establishing a pioneering testing hub for EV charging systems at its Technology Centre in Hamburg, aiming to revolutionise infrastructure for large electric transport modes. This advanced facility will specialise in megawatt charging solutions, accommodating the needs of electric trucks, buses, agricultural machinery, construction vehicles, and even marine vessels. Initial testing is expected to begin by the end of 2025.

According to Shell, the Hamburg center will set a new benchmark as Germany’s most powerful test site dedicated to heavy-duty EV charging. It’s designed to support charging capacities up to 5 megawatts, an essential scale for large electric transport vehicles with high energy demands.

In an official press release by Shell, Felix Faber, CEO of Shell in Germany, stated, “With the construction of the most powerful test centre for electrically powered heavy vehicles and infrastructure, we are a pioneer in the industry,”. The focus is on decarbonising the transport sector, which can make a decisive contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions through fast and efficient charging processes.”

Felix Faber further added: “This is exactly where we are starting with our test centre for megawatt charging. This is where solutions can continue to mature, industry partners can come together and, together with us, make a contribution to the electrification and therefore decarbonisation of the entire sector.”

The initiative is a key component in Shell’s broader strategy to support electrification across commercial and public transport. It complements the company’s work through subsidiaries like SBRS, which focuses on electric depot infrastructure, and Shell Recharge and ubitricity, which operate public charging networks.

The Hamburg test site will offer an extensive range of capabilities. These include 12 automated test bays, more than 50 adaptable testing stations, and environmental chambers that can simulate extreme weather conditions from -40°C to +50°C. It will enable manufacturers to test a wide array of parameters from interoperability and energy management to safety assessments of high-voltage components.

Notably, the facility is equipped with advanced electrical infrastructure, such as a 10kV AC and 3.6kV DC switchgear and a bidirectional DC emulator capable of delivering 5.2 MW. It can simultaneously power up to six 800 kW (1,000 V) charging operations. All energy used will come exclusively from renewable sources, aligning with Shell’s sustainability goals.

The new center not only supports Shell’s internal innovation pipeline but also serves as a collaborative platform for vehicle and charging system developers to test and refine high-power charging technologies. With this investment, Shell aims to play a crucial role in accelerating the transition toward zero-emission commercial transport.