Comment by fy20 | Hacker News Reader

Comment by fy20 | Hacker News Reader

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Well it will happen eventually if countries go 100% electric, but I doubt it will affect the average consumer for a long time.

Fuel stations make most of their profits from non-fuel items (in my country, fuel stations sell some of the best coffee), and people will still need those when commuting or travelling. In Norway some fuel stations have started to convert pumps to EV chargers [0], however there isn't really much cost needed to keep a couple of fuel pumps around. Petrol can last a few months in tanks, and diesel can last up to a year.

People are still going to be using petrol for motorbikes and gardening equipment for a long time, and diesel is going to be used by trucks and construction machinery for even longer.

[0] https://insideevs.com/news/532464/fuel-stations-norway-fast-...

They make profit on non-fuel items because they already have fuel-buying customers to upsell to. These two are co-dependent and are likely to fail together. Once people don't have to come to refuel, the store next to the pumps won't be in a convenient location any more.

Simply swapping pumps for EV chargers may not sustain a good-enough business. EV charging needs about 30-60 minutes. Current 5-minute shops that sell cigs and energy drinks aren't an attractive destination.

I think it's more likely that malls and supermarkets will add EV charging and take over both sides of gas stations' business.

(This is based on first-hand experience. My nearest fast charger is at a gas station.)

I'm not sure the traditional gas station format will make sense long term. Charging an EV takes longer than an ICE vehicle, what are people supposed to do with an extra half hour at a gas station? I think people are more likely to want to charge at a grocery store or restaurant.

In my country fuel stations are very popular as (apart from train stations) this is the only place where the shops are allowed to stay open after regular business hours and sundays.

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