Shell converts retro gas station into HPC charging point
After the Second World War, gas stations were also an architectural showcase of the future. The daring and futuristic architecture of the Shell gas station on Erlenstegenstraße in Nuremberg from the 1960s has been brought back to life by Shell through “electrical impulses.” The historic gas station has been completely renovated. Under the curved, listed pre-stressed concrete roof from 1958, drivers can now quickly charge their electric cars.
Eight fast charging points under the pre-stressed concrete arch
The traditional gas station, a regional industrial monument and the only one of its kind in all of Bavaria, will no longer offer gasoline or diesel but will instead focus entirely on new mobility. A total of four Shell Recharge ultra-fast charging stations with eight charging points offer a maximum output of up to 300 kW and up to 150 kW when two electric cars are charging simultaneously at one fast charging station. Two of these are located directly under the historic roof. In a small shop under the roof, coffee and beverage vending machines will soon make the charging time more pleasant.
Eventful history: Starting as a “Caltex Type 3 gas station”
The gas station building itself was built in 1958 by the California-Texas Oil Company Caltex. It is a so-called Caltex Type 3 gas station. The design dates back to 1956 by the Frankfurt architect Willy H. Weisensee. The bold and futuristic architecture gave the gas stations a high recognition value. The cantilevered concrete roof was only anchored on the side of the service house and otherwise arched support-free over the gas station.Originally, Caltex planned to build 4,000 gas stations of this type. By the end of the 1960s, over 800 Caltex locations were in operation nationwide.
The so-called Caltex building, i.e., the "curved prestressed concrete roof with recessed underground kiosk," is under monument protection. Furthermore, according to the Nuremberg Monument Protection Office, the two adjacent halls are also protected.The gas station was taken over by DEA and later rebranded to Shell. It was renovated from August to November 2023 and converted into a pure EV hub.
What does that mean?
Cool idea! Retro gas stations offer attractive HPC charging points. More conversions like this are welcome because the purpose remains the same, and you also get great architecture.
Translated automatically from German.Elektromobilität , Newsletter Elektromobilität , IAA Mobility , SUVs und Geländewagen , Hybrid , Antriebsarten, Kraftstoffe und Emissionen , Oberklasse- und Sportwagen , Carsharing , Autonomes Fahren (Straßenverkehr) , Ladeinfrastruktur , Verkehrspolitik , Formel E , Brennstoffzellen , Fahrzeug-Vernetzung und -Kommunikation , Fahrzeuge & Fuhrpark , Automotive-Messen & Veranstaltungen , Pkw, Kompakt- und Mittelklasse , Minis und Kleinwagen , E-Auto-Datenbank, E-Mobilität-/Automotive-Newsletter, E-Auto-Tests