By Shigeru Sato
Dec. 3 (Bloomberg) — Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K., the Japanese oil refining unit of Royal Dutch Shell Plc, will open its first battery-charging station as more electric cars take to the road.
A quick battery charger will be installed at one of Showa Shells gas stations in Kanagawa prefecture near the capital, the Tokyo-based company said in a statement on its Web site today.
The station is the first of an unspecified number planned by the refiner as it comes under pressure to diversify in the face of declining revenue from petroleum production. Local demand has been falling because of energy conservation and demographic changes such as the aging population.
Showa Shells decision comes after the Kanagawa government announced it will open as many as 30 battery-charging stations in 2010 as part of efforts to promote electric cars, according to the statement.
To contact the reporter on this story: Shigeru Sato in Tokyo at[email protected].
Last Updated: December 3, 2008 03:42 EST
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