Shell has unveiled its innovative Triple 10 Challenge concept car, a proof-of-concept electric vehicle designed to demonstrate a new approach to battery electric vehicle (BEV) development. Co-engineered with industry partners, the compact mass-market EV demonstrates how advanced thermal management technologies can enable faster charging, greater energy efficiency and significantly lower lifecycle emissions without relying on larger battery packs.
The concept vehicle has been developed around three ambitious performance goals that Shell believes could shape the future of mainstream electric mobility:
Charging from 10% to 80% in less than 10 minutes, delivering energy efficiency of 100 km/kWh, achieving a lifecycle carbon footprint equivalent to approximately 10 tonnes of CO₂.
According to Shell, the Triple 10 Challenge Concept is the first road-worthy vehicle to successfully demonstrate a simplified single-circuit cooling architecture that is capable of managing the thermal demands of the entire powertrain, including battery, motor and power electronics, even during extremely fast charging conditions.
Cara Tredgate, vice president of mobility and lubricants technology at Shell, said the project demonstrates how advanced thermal fluids can open up new possibilities for EV development.
“With the Triple 10 Challenge concept car, we have unlocked the potential for faster charging, lighter systems and improved lifecycle efficiency through the use of advanced thermal fluids. Together with our co-engineering partners, we are proud to develop scalable solutions that can support the future of sustainable electric mobility,” she said.
Designed for greater efficiency
The vehicle has been engineered to achieve an energy consumption figure of 10 km/kWh by using a smaller and more efficient battery system. Shell claims this represents more than a 30% improvement in overall energy efficiency compared to many current generation electric vehicles.
One of the main highlights is its fast-charging capability. The concept vehicle can charge from 10% to 80% in just 9 minutes and 54 seconds while maintaining the thermal stability and longevity of the battery. Unlike some existing EVs, which require ultra-fast chargers of more than 300 kW to achieve similar charging times, the Triple 10 Challenge vehicle reaches this milestone using the more commonly available 175 kW charger.
The vehicle is capable of adding about 24 km of driving range per minute of charging, compared to an average of about 13 km per minute for conventional battery electric vehicles using the same charging infrastructure.
low lifecycle emissions
Shell estimates that the total lifecycle carbon footprint of the concept vehicle is equivalent to approximately 10 tonnes of CO₂. This reduction is achieved through lightweight vehicle architecture, optimized battery capacity, use of low-carbon and recyclable materials and charging powered by 100% renewable electricity.
The company estimates that this concept could reduce lifecycle emissions by approximately 50% compared to typical battery electric vehicles currently sold in the European market.
Immersion cooling technology at its core
The shell at the center of the vehicle houses the recharge thermal fluid, a dielectric fluid designed for direct immersion cooling. Unlike traditional water-glycol cooling systems, the fluid enables battery cells, electric motors and power electronics to be directly immersed in coolant, improving heat transfer efficiency in the powertrain.
This advanced thermal management approach allows for more compact battery designs, simplified cooling architectures, reduced system weight, and improved charging performance.
The concept car was unveiled at the HORIBA MIRA proving ground and represents the culmination of Shell’s Triple 10 Challenge initiative. Shell claims that the combination of a more compact battery pack, fewer modules and simplified housing architecture results in an estimated 25% reduction in battery pack costs compared to a conventional electric vehicle.
Shell consolidates EV solutions under Shell Recharge
Along with the unveiling of the concept vehicle, Shell announced that it is bringing together its electric mobility offerings under the Shell Recharge brand. The integrated portfolio will include charging infrastructure, thermal fluids, battery technology and energy solutions, creating an integrated end-to-end EV ecosystem for both business and consumer customers.
As part of this consolidation strategy, the company confirmed that the Shell EV-Plus brand will be phased out.