If you’re someone who likes to keep your tank full at Shell, you may want to start monitoring your neighborhood corner. Shell has announced it will shut down around 1,000 gas stations across the United States by the end of 2025. It’s a sea change for one of the world’s largest oil and gas majors — and it may affect your daily habits more than you know.
Why is Shell closing so many locations?
Shell is not leaving the American market but rather shifting direction. Shell insists that it would prefer to focus more on electric vehicle (EV) charging and low-carbon energy sources. As more drivers move towards EVs, Shell plans to replace some of its traditional fuel stations with EV charging stations or other types of energy centers.
It’s just part of Shell’s long-term plan to reduce carbon emissions and deliver climate goals. Shell has already begun to make such transitions in Europe, where gas stations are being repurposed as rapid-charging stations. America is now joining that wave, and 1,000 closings are only the beginning.
Where are Shell stations closing?
So far, Shell hasn’t released a full list of which locations will close, but closures are expected to be spread across the country, especially in areas with overlapping stations or declining foot traffic.
Based on industry trends and insider reports, here are some of the regions most likely to be affected:
- Urban areas with high EV adoption, like California, New York, and Washington
- Smaller towns and rural communities where station profitability has declined
- High-density markets like Chicago, Houston, and Atlanta, where Shell has multiple stations competing with each other
In cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, where EV charging demand is already rising, Shell is expected to speed up its closures. Meanwhile, stations located near major highways could remain open longer or be converted into hybrid fueling-and-charging centers.
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What does this mean for you?
If you depend on a Shell station in your area, it’s a good idea to look for backup stops or sign up for Shell’s gas rewards program to stay in the know. Keep an eye out, too, for new EV charging stations where Shell stations used to be — especially if you’re in the market to buy an electric vehicle soon.
Shell has said it’s committed to maintaining service for drivers during the transition. That could involve striking agreements with other brands or expanding its mobile app so you can find available sites.
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Big picture: A changing fuel landscape
This is not only about Shell. It’s a warning that the U.S. fuel business is transforming quickly. As EVs become more popular and climate regulation strengthens, businesses like Shell are being forced to remake the way they do business. Expect to see more things like this in the next few years — not only at gas stations, but in how energy is distributed, period.
Regardless of gas or electric ownership, now’s the time to know and adapt. Roads ahead are changing.
