Major gas retailer Shell has announced plans to close more than 1,000 stations through 2025, according to an article from Intersolar.
The British oil and gas company was the largest oil producer in the world in the early 20th century. It worked to vertically integrate its business model through exploration, production, refining, transport, distribution, marketing, petrochemicals, power generation, and trading, in addition to its retail gas stations.
This is a stark pivot from the company's 2023 business statements, which indicated it would be turning back toward oil and gas. The continually rising cost of filling a vehicle gas tank has consumers pushing away from gas-powered engines and looking for ways to leverage car ownership to save money .
Read on to learn about Shell's plan for the next year and which areas will likely be impacted first.
Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially
Shifting toward electric vehicles
According to official statements from Shell, the closings align with its shifting focus to provide electric vehicle charging and convenience offers. The company plans to shut down over 1,000 locations over the next year and install 70,000 public charging stations in the same time frame.
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Wael Sawan, Shell's CEO, announced in June 2023 that he would pivot the company back toward oil and gas and decrease its wind and solar operations. Less than a year later, the company announced it was closing stations and pivoting again to focus on electric vehicle charging.
Areas of impact
Texas may feel the impact first, losing hundreds of jobs on the oil and gas exploration and development team. This cut is expected to include many workers from the Houston area, where its offices are located.
The closing of retail gas stations will likely impact South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota. Shell is the sixth-biggest gas station in Minnesota, with over 70 locations throughout the state.
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Bottom line
Pivoting away from alternative energy sources in 2023 apparently didn't work out so well for Shell gas stations, as they are now pivoting toward EV charging ports.
Shell USA did acquire Volta, an EV charging company, which gives them 3,000 charging points across 31 states toward their goal of 70,000.
It remains to be seen if the company's many pivots will lead to continued success or if the closings will continue.
Consumer interest leans heavily toward environmentally friendly transportation options, but the upfront costs can prevent many families from making the switch from gas to electric cars. Savvy shoppers are fighting rising costs by finding ways to save money on other vehicle expenses , such as car insurance.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt . Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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