Will have sections for electricity charging as well or battery swaps. I think most likely somekind of humanoid robots will operate these equipments. The mini mart likely still man by human. Perhaps a human mechanics with robo asistants if there is repairs available. Likely cryptos will be accepted as well (way more common than now). You might even find Tony's LC sign there (plot twist he opened factories in USA).
Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?
91–100 of 173 posts
Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?
#92See article in today's New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/business/gas-station-expa... Gas Stations Are Adding E.V. Chargers and Reasons to Wait Around As gas stations prepare for more electric vehicles to be on the road, they’re getting bigger. That has created tension in some communities.
I'm reminded of when Blockbuster wiped out all the little video rental places. Even if existing gas stations install chargers, most EV drivers are going to prefer to charge someplace where it's nice to spend an hour or two, and whoever creates those places is going to take all the business.
Many places here in Germany have typically 1-2 parking spots dedicated to charging EV. (Free to use)
I believe increasing their number of chargers as the need arises is the main way this is going to develop. Basically no central gas station anymore as we know it but a shop with 1-2 chargers. If lots of shops do it, it becomes like decentralized charging.
Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?
#93Not 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.
That's like saying since newspapers in 1995 were very similar to newspapers in 1980, they'll be pretty much the same in 2010.
They were. Now newspapers in 1995 and 2010 - that’s definitely after the post-2000ish changes had started to bite.
Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?
#94Not 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.
I foresee an increase in displays showing ads, as well as cameras with facial recognition.
Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?
#95There’s a lot of active thinking in the retail energy space about this. As we shift toward electric vehicles, the traditional 3-minute fuel stop evolves into a longer dwell time due to charging. This fundamentally changes the customer journey—transforming stations into destinations designed around convenience, entertainment, and productivity. However, with rapid advances in fast charging and even battery swapping, the future form of energy retail sites is still fluid. The big question remains: what should thousands of these locations become when the "refueling" experience is no longer just about speed?
Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?
#96In my experience Petrol stations are very smart operators that accumulate new business models very quickly. My locals all: Sell petrol Sell snacks, meals and necessities (small convenience stores) Sell firewood Sell ice Provide gas bottle swaps. Sell large items that are convenient for ute tray transport (Slabs of drink and other items) Provide free water and air, basic car wash facilities. 15 years from now I expect…
In the US at least, I feel like you hit that late 90s convenience experience. While it's true they still do these things, or try to, in my experience nobody actually uses them because of understaffing and underpaying of employees to the point of them not caring. Who wants a brown hot dog or dried out taquito that's been on a roller for who knows how many days? Who wants soda from moldy taps? Who wants to stand in lin…
In Australia they have had a complete resurgence thanks to food delivery apps. Shit I even like our 7 Eleven petrol station coffee. And I am not the only one I often have to ask them to change the milk jugs over in the machine.
They are open 24/7 with just enough food at only triple supermarket prices.
Nearest 4 to me always have better than 50% empty gas bottles, and the second it gets cold they sell out of firewood.
2/3 of their air hoses have been vandalised however, which just leaves a line up at the third.
Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?
#97There’s a lot of active thinking in the retail energy space about this. As we shift toward electric vehicles, the traditional 3-minute fuel stop evolves into a longer dwell time due to charging. This fundamentally changes the customer journey—transforming stations into destinations designed around convenience, entertainment, and productivity. However, with rapid advances in fast charging and even battery swapping, th…
Seems to me that some of the places that are best poised to take advantage of the longer charging times (at least in the US) are places like Buc-ees which are already a sort of destination that is visited for more than just filling up with gas. The small gas stations, especially ones that are local chains, or even 'mom-and-pop' businesses will probably be much slower to adapt as they won't be able to offer as much for the people waiting for a recharge to do.
I think fast casual restaurants, or even small strip malls which have a fast casual restaurant as a food anchor could also benefit from this -- offer more charging spots, maybe a small discount or coupon for the charging costs if you dine at the restaurant. The large fast casual chains could probably negotiate better contracts with companies that would build and administer the infrastructure than singular restaurants could, and it would help bring some additional business in at a time when people are dining out less and less.
Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?
#98Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
Are they being taxed more? Or is it that with gas cars, most of the tax is paid outside of registration, when they're refueled, whereas EVs only pay the taxes at registration time, and thus end up paying their share up front instead of over time?
Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?
#99Earlier quoted context omitted.
most people certainly do not live in a place that has a garage with dedicated charging port. people who leave their cars outside to charge will be subject to vandalism and pranksters cutting/disconnecting the cables. electric vehicles are luxury vehicles for people with means.
At least in the Bay Area it’s pretty common for people to park their car on the curb in front of their house and run a charge cable out over the sidewalk. Mostly just works.
*Parts of the Bay Area.
There are parts where you'd have people drive through the neighborhood at 3am and yank/cut the charging cables for the copper in them.
Re: Ask HN: In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?
#100Not 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.
The ones they build here in Norway has changed somewhat from 2010. For one, mainly EV chargers, with just a few, if any, pumps. Mostly sells food and soft drinks, so hot dogs, fresh sandwiches, baked goods, with much more seating area so you can sit and eat while your car charges. Has almost no car-related stuff, just one or two small sections of blinker fluid, wunder-baum and such. And looking at the current trend,…
Wait, blinker fluid is actually in stock in Norway? Gotta tell some BMW drivers I know; see if they can get it shipped over.