Living Car Free - The future of gas stations

When I was growing up, gas stations were mostly in the business of selling gas and oil. You could also get fan belts, windshield wiper blades, washer fluids, those pine tree air fresheners and maybe a highway map. That was about all.

Today, gas stations all seem to have convenience stores and coffee. The convenience items, not the gas, are supposed to be the money makers. People stop at these places because they're filling up the tank. Then, when they pay for the gas, they make the other purchases as well. Motorists bring the bulk of the business.

So I was wondering, if we transition into a world with less vehicle use, will we see the demise of these convenience stores? What do you think?

These days if you go into a gas station and ask for a fan belt they just go, 'Huh?' :rolleyes:

When I was growing up, gas stations were mostly in the business of selling gas and oil. You could also get fan belts, windshield wiper blades, washer fluids, those pine tree air fresheners and maybe a highway map. That was about all.

Today, gas stations all seem to have convenience stores and coffee. The convenience items, not the gas, are supposed to be the money makers. People stop at these places because they're filling up the tank. Then, when they pay for the gas, they make the other purchases as well. Motorists bring the bulk of the business.So I was wondering, if we transition into a world with less vehicle use, will we see the demise of these convenience stores? What do you think?If we transition (which we won't short term), then service stations will be automated and requiring LPR or RFID technologies to identify the vehicle and allow payment. It's anyone's guess what will happen in the next ten years, but North America doesn't seem to care very much about rationing or decreased dependance on oil. I believe we'll actually spend more time at these service stations, convenience stores will become more popular and the long lines at the pump will return, "fueled" by more demand and less supply.

The major transition is more likely to be to an alternative fuel source than to bikes. Gas stations will become "battery stations" or "hydrogen stations" or whatever it is we end up transitioning to, but they won't go away.

Sheetz is basically a fast food joint/mini convenience store that happens to sell gasoline now.

Sheetz is basically a fast food joint/mini convenience store that happens to sell gasoline now.

Yep and a massive operation at that! We have several mom and pop stores near us that have stopped selling gas for a variety of reasons, all are still open at the moment selling food stuff, cigarettes, beer and lottery tickets to the people that live in the trailer park(s) nearby. I have seen others in another town sitting boarded up. Drive/ride some of the old US Highways and you will see many, many abandoned buildings from the 40's and 50's that used to be gas stations, some have be utilized for other operations, but many more are falling to the ground.

Aaron:)

What I think is interesting is how few gas stations there are now. After 1999 when the EPA put so many out of buisness, there just aren't very many gas stations around anymore, at least here. IF a serious shortage ever comes, the lines will be much worse than before. MAny more cars, many less stations. All in all, good for me.

The margins on selling gas are very low. When you're breaking even on the retail sale of gasoline, you need to prop up the sales by selling high-margin stuff (chips, soda, coffee, etc). So even if you're not buying gasoline at a station, just getting small items, you're still supporting the retail gas operations. There's two gas stations near me which look like they've been abandoned for a few years now.

The margins on selling gas are very low. When you're breaking even on the retail sale of gasoline, you need to prop up the sales by selling high-margin stuff (chips, soda, coffee, etc). So even if you're not buying gasoline at a station, just getting small items, you're still supporting the retail gas operations. There's two gas stations near me which look like they've been abandoned for a few years now.

i've seen this as well, and it always makes me wonder; are they required by law to remove all the gas from the tanks? i don't think they remove the actual tanks, but i might be wrong about that.

That kind of gas station is gone. The kind of gas station where Dad pulls in, an employee is standing by the driver's side window when he stops, Dad says, "Fill'er up.", that employee pumps gas while another checks under the hood and washes the windshield, a third checks the tires, and the only charge is for the gas. That kind of gas station is long gone in in the U.S., along with that kind of work ethic.

You can still find them in Japan, though.

i've seen this as well, and it always makes me wonder; are they required by law to remove all the gas from the tanks? i don't think they remove the actual tanks, but i might be wrong about that.

when they go out of business, they're Supposed To ;) remove the tanks, and do any work to fix any leaks or whatever from the tanks, and make the property useable for whatever else. But they've just been sitting there. Grass is starting to grow between the cracks. Maybe I should complain to the town to make a complaint to the owner.

And what's ironic, across the street there's another gas station, ALWAYS with lines!!!!

Around here, more and more small gas stations are converted to cold stations, fully automatic, operating on ATM / credit cards or cash. Bigger ones are converted to gas station - restaurant - convenience store - coffee shop monsters.

You cannot just "abandon" a gas station here. You have to clean it up, meaning digging up the tanks, cleaning the soil (in effect removing the contaminated layer, transporting it to a hazardous waste processing plant, and bringing in clean material to replace it) etc.

--J

So I was wondering, if we transition into a world with less vehicle use, will we see the demise of these convenience stores? What do you think?

No, there are a lot of convenience stores that do not have attached gas stations (I used to work for one). the company I worked for had 100+ stores and less than 10% of them were attached to gas stations.

Besides, I predict (even though I am familiar with all its shortcomings) hydrogen refueling stations in the near future (So Cal is getting them 2009).

i've seen this as well, and it always makes me wonder; are they required by law to remove all the gas from the tanks? i don't think they remove the actual tanks, but i might be wrong about that.

Gas is worth a fortune. Do you think they left it in the tank?

My hope is that they all turn into this http://www.thebike-station.com/

How cool

Gas is worth a fortune. Do you think they left it in the tank?

No, but there'd be quite a bit of mucky stuff at the bottom of them. Plus most likely the tank is rusty anyways.

I would guess if all the gas stations were gone, the convenience stores would live on. Especially if we are all on bikes, we will welcome having stores close by.

I would guess if all the gas stations were gone, the convenience stores would live on. Especially if we are all on bikes, we will welcome having stores close by.

When I traveled in Asia years ago, there were bike repair guys all over the place. I was biking with a friend who had a jinxed bike but every time something broke it seemed like we were always close to a guy with tools ready to fix it for a few rupees. So I imagine if we were all on bikes, convenience stores might have bike repair guys and carry tubes, tires, brake pads, chain tools stuff like that.

No, but there'd be quite a bit of mucky stuff at the bottom of them. Plus most likely the tank is rusty anyways.

There are very few of the steel tanks still in underground use. I am sure there are thousands of the still in the ground...but not in use. I am not sure if it is a federal, state or local regulation. But when a station closes down around here the tanks are usually removed within a matter of a few months, if not sooner. Probably to reduce future liability.

We were doing site work for a new elementary school wing and uncovered several old rusty bulk fuel storage tanks still in the ground. Added about $400,000 to the cost of the project for clean up costs. Apparently there had been a truck stop there 50 years ago...

Aaron:)

I suspect that over time gas stations will morph into shops where you can charge your cell phone, do a quick google search, pump air in your bike tires, sell lattes... You will hear folks talk about the Good Old Days when you could pick up a twinkie and a gallon soda for $1.50 while you fueled those vehicles we no longer see much of these days.

There isn't as many gas stations locally as when I was younger, and it's not do to so much of gas shortages, but mostly due to enviromental laws that made the cost of owning and operating a service station prohibitive except for large corporations. Add to the fact that a mechanic's/full service attendant's wages/ shop overhead, and the increased sophistication of the automobile over the years has made a convenience store/gas station conversion a lucrative and viable option.

There probably be gas stations in the future, and most will probably be like the newer one's I'm seeing built with fast food restaurants, convenience stores, play areas for children, car washes, and yes, gas pumps.

Sheetz is basically a fast food joint/mini convenience store that happens to sell gasoline now.

Exactly! Teenagers walk to convenience stores (which happen to sell gasoline) in small towns to buy their junk food. And 7-11s and many Mac convenience stores don't sell gasoline, and yet they are doing big business.

If we transition (which we won't short term), then service stations will be automated and requiring LPR or RFID technologies to identify the vehicle and allow payment.

Aren't most service stations automated now? It's rare to find one that isn't ... thank goodness.

I suspect that over time gas stations will morph into shops where you can charge your cell phone, do a quick google search, pump air in your bike tires, sell lattes... You will hear folks talk about the Good Old Days when you could pick up a twinkie and a gallon soda for $1.50 while you fueled those vehicles we no longer see much of these days.

I think it will depend on the area. In some areas they just board them up and the graffiti takes over. In others I have seen gas stations converted to an Italian restaurant, a copy/print shop and thrift stores.

Aaron:)

I think it will depend on the area. In some areas they just board them up and the graffiti takes over. In others I have seen gas stations converted to an Italian restaurant, a copy/print shop and thrift stores.

Aaron:)

Still, I think there will always be spots where you can gas up. They will all move to the sketchy part of town and you will have to get travel a good distance to do your business. :D

Yep and a massive operation at that! We have several mom and pop stores near us that have stopped selling gas for a variety of reasons, all are still open at the moment selling food stuff, cigarettes, beer and lottery tickets to the people that live in the trailer park(s) nearby. I have seen others in another town sitting boarded up. Drive/ride some of the old US Highways and you will see many, many abandoned buildings from the 40's and 50's that used to be gas stations, some have be utilized for other operations, but many more are falling to the ground.

Aaron:)

Shows my age: I remember Sheetz when they were 3-5 stores in Altoona, PA. Period. No gas pumps at the time, small dairy products oriented grocery stores. Then they expanded to Johnstown, added gas pumps, filled in the area in between, and then . . . . . . . .

Shows my age: I remember Sheetz when they were 3-5 stores in Altoona, PA. Period. No gas pumps at the time, small dairy products oriented grocery stores. Then they expanded to Johnstown, added gas pumps, filled in the area in between, and then . . . . . . . .

Yep...we were doing a bit of work at their main facility in Altoona...you would be amazed, very amazed!

Aaron:)

i've seen this as well, and it always makes me wonder; are they required by law to remove all the gas from the tanks? i don't think they remove the actual tanks, but i might be wrong about that.

From my ex's father's station...... he had to pump the tanks dry OR pay up to $50k per tank to dig it up and redo everything if he wanted to keep selling gas (He had 5 tanks). He pumped they dry - but then his was an "old fashioned" gas station. Full service, mechanic, all repairs from a tire to a engine rebuild. Gas paid the mortgage - service & repair work paid everything else.

That kind of gas station is gone. The kind of gas station where Dad pulls in, an employee is standing by the driver's side window when he stops, Dad says, "Fill'er up.", that employee pumps gas while another checks under the hood and washes the windshield, a third checks the tires, and the only charge is for the gas. That kind of gas station is long gone in in the U.S., along with that kind of work ethic.

You can still find them in Japan, though.

And New Jersey

Hello everyone. This will be the future of gas stations: http://www.peakoil.com/fortopic39968.html

My hope is that they all turn into this http://www.thebike-station.com/

How cool

RIGHT ON MIKE!!!!!:):):):):)

Hello everyone. This will be the future of gas stations: http://www.peakoil.com/fortopic39968.html
These are sad because the stations aren't transformed into something positive. As more people become car free the living car free sub forum will die like these gas stations.