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How to start charging with your Shell Recharge home charge point

Updated: 11 April 2024 - Created: 9 January 2023

Starting a charge with your Shell Recharge charge point is quick and easy. But if you need some guidance, we are here to help. We explain how to activate a charge in simple steps. Plus, we explain what each of the colour lights on your charge point is indicating. After all, they are there to guide you.

How to prepare for your first charge

There are a couple of steps you need to take to get you ready to plug in and get charging. Whilst you wait for your charge point to arrive, get ahead and take steps 1 and 2. Then you can complete step 3 as soon as it’s on your driveway and start charging right away.

1. Download the Shell Recharge app

You can do this in either Google Play or the App Store

2. Order your free charge card

Order and activate it in the charge card section of the app.

3. Register your charge point

Enter the charge point serial number in your Shell Recharge account

Choose how to start charge sessions at home

Irrespective of how you start your charge, you need a charge card that is both activated and associated with your charge point. After that, you can customise your charging to suit your needs and choose which mode you would like for starting a session. You can adjust all your charge settings at any time in the Shell Recharge app.

With home charging, there are two modes:

Charge card
AutoCharge

Charge card mode (with a card or app)

With choose charge card mode, you have more control. Choose this option if you would like to authenticate charge sessions with your registered charge card/s. You begin a charge by tapping said charge card or, by clicking “Charge Now” inside the app. You may prefer to use this option if your charge point could be accessed by others.

Steps for charging at home with charge card mode

Step 1.
Connect your charge cable to your car
Make sure you push it firmly into the socket
Step 2.
Authorise the charge
Start your charge by clicking “Charge Now” in the app
Step 3.
Connect the cable to the charge point (not applicable to tethered cables)
Again, make sure you push it firmly into the socket

AutoCharge mode (for unrestricted use or charging schedules)

AutoCharge mode is more convenient. With this mode you plug your car in, and it will start charging automatically without having to authorise the session with your card or in the app.

If you also set up a charge schedule, you can predetermine when the charge will stop and start. For example, you get home from work and plug your car in to the charge point. Your car starts charging automatically when the charge session is scheduled to begin at 9pm and stops at 6 am without having to manually do this. Please be aware that random delay could defer the schedule up to 10 minutes from the start and stop time.

On your mobile, go to the charge point section of the app, where you will be able to make amends to your settings.

Steps for charging at home with AutoCharge mode

Step 1.
Connect your charge cable to your car
Make sure you push it firmly into the socket
Step 2.
Connect the cable to the charge point (not applicable to tethered cables)
Again, make sure you push it firmly into the socket

Charging your Advanced

How to start a charge session_charge scheduling

*For Advanced models only

Steps for charging with, or without, a schedule

The process for charging with your Shell Recharge charge point requires a few simple steps. You may experience some small variations on the steps depending on whether you have charge card mode or AutoCharge mode enabled. The below links will give exact instructions.

Charge scheduling for home charging

Charge point scheduling is a feature whereby home charge point owners can create charging sessions. By scheduling charge sessions, you can get a session to start, and stop, at a time that is convenient for you. The feature allows you to set repeating schedules that suit your charging needs and lifestyle. Need your car to charge overnight and be ready for 6 am? No problem, just set this schedule up in the app.

Also, by setting up a charge session to begin when demand on the grid is low, you can take advantage of reduced rate “off-peak” tariffs. This is not only beneficial for the load on the grid, it is also possible to save on your electricity costs. All of this can be managed remotely, anywhere, anytime. Read charge scheduling FAQs for more detailed information.

What do the different colours on my Shell Recharge charge point mean?

Your charge point has glowing LED lights to show you real-time charging status. The different colour lights to let you know what's happening, give you, depending on the colour they turn, you may need to take certain actions.

None
If no colour is shown, the charge point is not being used and is available for charging.
Yellow
The charge point is waiting for you to take action, either to connect your car or to swipe your charge card.
Green
A cable is attached to the charge point, the charge point is occupied.
Blue
The charge point is providing power to the electric vehicle.
Red
An error has occurred - Remove the cable or check the compatibility with your charge card.

Got more questions?

Visit our frequently asked questions where we answer many common queries. Search for a topic, question or keyword and will find you the most relevant information.