Shell has unveiled a new battery technology that could enable electric vehicles (EVs) to charge from 10% to 80% in less than 10 minutes, thus addressing one of the biggest hurdles to EV adoption.

The breakthrough, reported by TopGear Philippines, centers on a proprietary “gas-to-liquid” thermal fluid designed to manage battery temperatures during high-power charging. Developed with UK-based RML Group, the system fills the tiny gaps and cavities inside a 34kWh battery pack, allowing the cells to handle faster charging without overheating.

Shell said that when paired with a lightweight, aerodynamic car capable of 10 kilometers per kilowatt-hour efficiency, the technology could add about 24 kilometers of driving range per minute of charging. While no commercial EVs currently achieve that level of efficiency, the company noted the development as a promising step toward faster and more consistent charging solutions.

“Consumers are in pursuit of better energy efficiency, longer driving range, and faster charging,” said Robert Mainwaring, Shell’s lead engineer on the project. “Our ambition within this project was to show how Shell EV-Plus Thermal Fluids can support significant reductions in charging time without compromising cell integrity and lifetime.”

Mainwaring added that advanced thermal management will be key to unlocking the next generation of sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective EV solutions.

Industry experts note that reliable fast charging could help reduce reliance on oversized batteries. Instead of maximizing range, EVs could focus on shorter charging times, cutting both costs and resource demands.

Do you think ultra-fast charging technology like this will accelerate EV adoption in the Philippines, even before efficiency levels reach Shell’s benchmarks?

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