Shell EV charging to lay off 53 in California – shutting 2,000 charging stations nationwide

Last Updated on August 30, 2025 by The HD Post Staff

CALIFORNIA – Shell’s EV charging network, Zeco Systems, Inc. (Shell Recharge Solutions), notified the state that it was laying off 53 employees in California.

Nationwide, the company is laying off approximately 114 primarily remote workers.

According to the company’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice, the permanent layoffs affect media staff, contract and procurement roles, and other redundant positions, with separations starting October 4, 2025.

Zeco Systems says the layoffs are due to a change in business needs.

Shell shutting down 2,000 EV charging stations

The layoffs are part of a broader shutdown of 2,000 charging stations that Shell acquired under the Volta brand in 2023 for $169 million.

Volta’s model, which combined free EV charging with digital advertising, faced significant financial losses. After Shell began requiring payment at many locations, losses continued, totaling around $140 million annually. The company reportedly tried to sell the business but found no buyer.

Originally, Shell thought chargers at “destination sites” would “play a key role in meeting people where they spend a great deal of time: the store, the gym and everywhere in-between.”

The company now plans to focus on high-speed Shell-branded sites, including service stations and standalone EV hubs.

Laid-off employees can reapply at Shell

The dismantling of the Volta charging network is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Laid-off division employees will have the opportunity to reapply for similar roles at Shell.