The evolution of gas stations: from pharmacies and tanks to electrical networks

Development of dispensing devices

For the first time, fuel, both gasoline and gas, began to be sold in pharmacies.Right away

It may seem strange, but in the 19th century, before the ubiquity of machines, it was primarily considered an antiseptic.The first person who needed refueling was Bertha Benz, the wife of one of the inventors of the automobile.According to legend, the wife of a German engineer decided to use his invention until heAt that time, he was asleep.No one had ever driven a car, there were no gas stations either, and the woman just went to the pharmacy and bought gasoline there.Subsequently, the first motorists followed her example, until special places were reserved for replenishing the tank of the car.

Gas stations as separate “fuel stores”appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century. These were ordinary tanks on supports, from which hoses hung for pouring gasoline into the tank. In fact, in Russia such gas stations can still be seen, only not on highways and highways, but at on-farm facilities, such as woodworking and agricultural enterprises. And in Southeast Asia, gasoline is still sold in ordinary shops, in one and a half liter plastic bottles, which is very useful for many moped owners.

More like what we see nowrefueling began in the 20s. A fuel supply pump, an integral part of a modern gas station, and a pistol appeared. Pumps improved: at the first filling stations they were mechanical, and the operator pumped fuel manually, then electric ones appeared, which became more compact and efficient. Electronic counting devices have appeared. However, the design itself for dispensing fuel has not undergone significant changes. Initially, an employee was on the issue, but with the gradual modernization of the device, he was not in demand. Now the service is limited to the moment of payment, and even then this is not necessary: ​​at many gas stations, options for self-payment by card or in the application are available.

Gas station culture

As soon as the car ceased to be an objectluxury, and ordinary city residents began to acquire their own transport, gas stations spread everywhere. Their role has transformed: from a fuel dispensing point they have become a resting place. First, shops appeared at gas stations where you can go to the toilet and buy something for a snack. Then cafeterias were added to the shelves with goods, where you can calmly sit down, drink coffee and refresh yourself with hot food. In Russia, gas stations remained at this stage, but in Europe and the United States, gas stations expanded even more.

With the advent of larger gas stations it becameit is possible to refill the tanks of 20 cars at once, and large food courts, shopping malls and even hotels began to be built for visitors. At the same time, sometimes they are mirrored. That is, on both sides of the highway there are the same gas stations, with the same shopping centers and cafes.

Gas station crisis

However, commercial gas stations in Russia are noware undergoing a crisis. Over the past three years, the state has been restraining the growth of retail prices, but at the same time does not limit wholesale prices. As a result, business margins are greatly reduced, and the market comes into a state of stagnation. The development of electric transport is also coming, which will have a very serious impact on retail.

By 2030, almost all global brands (according to theirstatements) will stop producing gasoline vehicles and internal combustion engines. Volvo will halve the production of such cars by 2025. If in 10 years 50% of cars become electric, then the fuel market, taking into account growth, will decrease by 30%.

An inevitable consequence of the popularization of electric vehicles- a rapid decline in demand for classic filling stations. Charging an electric vehicle is fundamentally different from filling the tank with gasoline. Electric networks are stretching everywhere, there is little point in placing free-standing charging stations. Charging points can be located in parking lots near residential buildings, business centers and shopping malls. Nevertheless, according to our forecasts, some of the gas stations will still remain, they just will first become hybrid: they can simultaneously serve both a classic car and an electric car. When the world completely switches to electric transport, stations for recharging cars may appear at the site of gas stations remote from the city.

All gas stations will turn into electric vehicle filling stationsthey won't be able to. Most of them will disappear, and we will see them in the format in which they exist now for another 20 years at most. The rest will be placed on highways between cities and only where there is electrical power. Where they do not exist, cable installation may be unprofitable. To quickly charge a car, you need 200 kilowatts of power, about the same as a substation that supplies a nine-story building.

However, for commercial vehicles, the timethe use of gasoline has not yet ended - agricultural machinery is unlikely to quickly switch to work on electricity, and refueling on the territory of enterprises is likely to remain for another couple of decades.

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