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Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?

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Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?

#61
post #39
post #29

Most countries will have fast chargers with one gas pump for the remaining ICE cars. That’s already happening in Norway, for example. The US? After a decade plus of authoritarian rule and the near outlaw of EVs, we’ll have exactly the same gas stations and cars, all produced right here because the rest of the world doesn’t want them.

Can you explain to me about the near outlaw of EVs?

The new budget that passed the house has registration fees on EVs that will only match gas cars if you drive well over 25,000 miles a year. Maybe "outlaw" was hyperbolic, but you tax what you want less of. I would imagine that these taxes will only increase. Especially compared to the _incentives_ offered in every other country.

We don't "outlaw" cigarettes, for example, but I would call the current taxes on them a "near" outlaw.

Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?

#62
post #61
post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you explain to me about the near outlaw of EVs?

The new budget that passed the house has registration fees on EVs that will only match gas cars if you drive well over 25,000 miles a year. Maybe "outlaw" was hyperbolic, but you tax what you want less of. I would imagine that these taxes will only increase. Especially compared to the _incentives_ offered in every other country. We don't "outlaw" cigarettes, for example, but I would call the current taxes on them a "…

You tax to finance government services. EV use roads but don't pay fuel taxes.

We can debate how much EVs should be taxed, but they're using the bloody roads, aren't they?

Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?

#63
post #39
post #29

Most countries will have fast chargers with one gas pump for the remaining ICE cars. That’s already happening in Norway, for example. The US? After a decade plus of authoritarian rule and the near outlaw of EVs, we’ll have exactly the same gas stations and cars, all produced right here because the rest of the world doesn’t want them.

Can you explain to me about the near outlaw of EVs?

I should also mention that a large percentage of the population is in love with ICE-mobiles. They transport the ever-shrinking middle class and lower classes that can't afford to completely replace their vehicles with EVs and, likely, never will be. Even the world's ugliest electric truck is beyond the reach of a large portion of the middle class. Removing gas stations and adding charging stations is not going to do anything except cause more panic.

NGL, I drive a gas-powered Jetta (I wish it was diesel, but oh well) and if I can't get gas, I can't drive. While I'm lucky enough to live where there's some sort of public transit, that's not a thing in a lot of cities. Without the political will or the budget to start adding public transportation RIGHT THE HELL NOW, if ICE goes away, our economy is screwed.

Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?

#64
post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The new budget that passed the house has registration fees on EVs that will only match gas cars if you drive well over 25,000 miles a year. Maybe "outlaw" was hyperbolic, but you tax what you want less of. I would imagine that these taxes will only increase. Especially compared to the _incentives_ offered in every other country. We don't "outlaw" cigarettes, for example, but I would call the current taxes on them a "…

You tax to finance government services. EV use roads but don't pay fuel taxes. We can debate how much EVs should be taxed, but they're using the bloody roads, aren't they?

in VA we pay EV Tax (along with 87 other car taxes to keep driving on shitty roads…) - whatever your problem is when it comes to roads, more taxes ain’t gonna solve them

Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?

#66

HN is dumb as dog shit, at least Reddit has a million monkeys. What do you hope to achieve? Step one: What is todays delta to 2010? It is a lot, so this is where smart people would start. So we'll skip that. Many cars bought today will be around. Many gas stations bought today will be around. People will be driving further. Do we have to say for the stupid people it won't be electric. People will be more isolated and…

I 'vouched' for that since, despite the freak-out at its start, it makes some interesting points.

Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?

#67
post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They already are significantly cheaper than ICE in China, the rest of the world won't be far behind.

Automobile marketshare for battery electric vehicles (BEV) in China reached 27% in 2024, compared to 13% in the EU and 8% in the US. Wow I didn’t realize adoption was so high in China https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/what-chinas-ev-market-...

It’s very exciting imho, uptake of EVs and hybrids in China is contributing to noticeable oil demand destruction, and Chinese oil companies have already called the demand peak.

https://cleantechnica.com/2024/11/21/the-us-energy-informati...

https://www.iea.org/commentaries/oil-demand-for-fuels-in-chi...

https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/CNPC-Chin...

Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?

#69
post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The new budget that passed the house has registration fees on EVs that will only match gas cars if you drive well over 25,000 miles a year. Maybe "outlaw" was hyperbolic, but you tax what you want less of. I would imagine that these taxes will only increase. Especially compared to the _incentives_ offered in every other country. We don't "outlaw" cigarettes, for example, but I would call the current taxes on them a "…

You tax to finance government services. EV use roads but don't pay fuel taxes. We can debate how much EVs should be taxed, but they're using the bloody roads, aren't they?

My point is that there's no reason to tax them more than gas cars. Gas cars create FAR more negative externalities. I'm not saying they shouldn't be taxed at all; sorry if you got that impression.

Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?

#70
post #24

Not much. 15 years ago was 2010. Gas stations in 2025 are very similar to Gas stations from 2010. I doubt they will be too different in 2040. May be a few more EV chargers.

IMO gas stations haven’t changed all that much over the last 50 years (forget the 15) beyond: - now having larger buildings to incorporate more convenience products (mostly foodstuffs) for sale - more pumps

Gas stations often used to be car service stations as well. We have a few local ones with 3-4 car work garages attached but they are always closed now and used for storage.
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