According to the latest statistics, there are 8,353 petrol stations operating across the UK, with facilities spanning conventional fuel dispensers and cleaner energy alternatives.

However, with the Government committing to phase out all sales of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles by 2035, the configuration of these stations will change considerably.

Cedric Herbreteau, Director of Clean Energy at Dover Fueling Solutions® (DFS), said:

“In line with the Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, we will unquestionably see greater adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and other clean fuel powered transport.

“Nevertheless, with ICE vehicles likely to remain on roads well into the 2040’s, fuelling stations will evolve to cater towards all fuel types simultaneously.”

How Will Forecourts Change?

The UK made headlines recently by selling its millionth battery-powered electric car, a milestone on the road to net-zero.

This means EVs have even outsold diesel vehicles for the first time in history to become the UK’s second most popular fuel type behind petrol.

In addition to this, hydrogen transport has also become more feasible, with the UK’s first FCEVs hitting British roads and a further £11 billion in private investment expected by 2030.

A move towards cleaner fuel types changes the complexion of the traditional forecourt massively, with greater accessibility and infrastructure needed to cater to future demand.

Expect to see a mix of refuelling options available – including EV, hydrogen, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) – at the stations of the future, alongside petrol and diesel facilities.

An Evolved Convenience Store Offering

As the refuelling experience evolves, so will consumer attitudes to the forecourt retail experience.

Some forecasters predict that a renewed focus on cleaner fuels will also put pressure on fuel retailers to provide a more sustainable offering within their convenience stores. This could include a more sustainable product range, utilities powered by renewable energies, and new AI-driven, intuitive payment systems and platforms.

Modernising the pump will likely include a mix of biofuels and hydrogen for passenger fleets and heavy-equipment operators, as well as a burgeoning demand for EV charging facilities in the B2C passenger car market.

The increased dwell time associated with EV charging offers an enormous opportunity for retailers. Even the fastest public chargers will take at least 20 minutes to charge, meaning customers have more time to spend across retail, entertainment, and food & beverage stores.

It’s likely that old-world, motorway convenience stores will transform into larger-scale ‘retail hubs’ to capitalise on this. By leveraging customer loyalty schemes, convenience stores can become a one-stop shop for other services such as click-and-collect, remote working, online returns, postal services, and shopping.

Multi-Fuelling Stations

While infrastructure is certainly improving, cleaner-fuelled transport is still heavily outnumbered by ICE vehicles, with petrol retaining a top market share of 42.3%.

A shift to cleaner fuels certainly won’t mean the death of petrol stations. Over the next decade, there will still be many motorists who haven’t yet made the switch. The average lifespan of an EU ICE car is currently 12 years, meaning these vehicles could still be on the road in the late 2040s.

Many petrol and diesel nozzles will need to remain in operation to refuel the remainder of this car population, so forecourt owners will need to carefully balance the demands of all of their customers during this period of transition.

One solution could be to invest in transitional fuels. In comparison to conventional fossil fuels, such as petrol and diesel, a transitional fuel is any type of fuel which contributes to FIT for 55 reduction targets. Leading examples include natural gas variants: CNG and LNG.

Both provide a viable economic alternative to petrol and diesel while EV/hydrogen infrastructure improves, producing very few tailpipe emissions. CNG is a solid choice for lighter-duty vehicle applications, with LNG more suited to more demanding, long-haul transportation.

Maintaining a winning mix of all these refuelling types will likely be the key to success when future-proofing your forecourt.

Conclusion

The landscape of UK refuelling is set to undergo significant transformation as the country drives towards its 2035 targets. While traditional petrol stations currently dominate, future forecourts will see a mix of various fuelling options and a wider retail offering.

Ensuring your forecourt remains versatile and sustainable will be the key to success.