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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?

#141

Post by mousethatroared »

pkulak wrote: post #69
mousethatroared wrote: post #62

Earlier 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.

ICEs aren't taxed to punish their externalities, but to finance roads.

Suffice it to say that if all cars magically became EVs something in the tax code would have to change to pay for road maintence.

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

#142

Post by Scoundreller »

protocolture wrote: post #96
silisili wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

Is the air free in Aussie stations? In Canada it’s usually a charge and a $10 compressor you can store in your trunk will pay itself off and more reliably work when you need it (especially if you have a slow leak & need it frequently).

In a pinch I’ve used a bicycle pump (which is fine for a top up, not so much for fill-from-flat).

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

#143

Post by jjav »

Scoundreller wrote: post #137
ks2048 wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It went from pay inside to pay-at-the-pump. That probably also led to the ability for more pumps at busy stations (w/o hiring more people).

In (the parts that I visited in) EU, it means some stations are completely attendant-less and cashless. Can fill up at 3AM in the boonies if you want. North America has stuck to minimum of 1 staff at all times. No staff = closed. Maybe that can change.

> North America has stuck to minimum of 1 staff at all times. No staff = closed.

Not true at all at least in California. I regularly fill at unattended stations late at night past midnight. The credit card operated pumps are operable 24/7.

Years ago we were traveling in remote areas of Nevada and running out of gas around 2am, desperately trying to find a gas station (this is before mobile phones, so couldn't just look things up, although maybe even today might be too remote for signal). Finally rolled into a small village with a gas station but everything was dark, so we thought we'll take a nap there until whenever they open. But I noticed the pump light was on, so I gave it a try. Yes, it worked!

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

#144

Post by varsketiz »

Such a cool question! My perspective as a Lithuanian:

I think they will continue to sell both petrol and diesel in 15 years. I think gas (we have some cars running on literally gas) will not be there anymore. There will be more EV chargers, I would think in every station.

I would think in 15 years someone will try and succeed to create a "destination gas station", like a cool restaurant, that people will go out of their route to visit.

I don't think we will be on self driving trucks in 15 years. But once we get there, gas stations will service them in whatevet service they will need.

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

#145

Post by throwaway1854 »

varsketiz wrote: post #144

Such a cool question! My perspective as a Lithuanian: I think they will continue to sell both petrol and diesel in 15 years. I think gas (we have some cars running on literally gas) will not be there anymore. There will be more EV chargers, I would think in every station. I would think in 15 years someone will try and succeed to create a "destination gas station", like a cool restaurant, that people will go out of th…

> I would think in 15 years someone will try and succeed to create a "destination gas station", like a cool restaurant, that people will go out of their route to visit.

This has already happened in the U.S. Southeast. It's called "Bucc-ee's". They're very large gas stations with 50+ pumps. They have a squirrel for a mascot and sometimes if you go there's someone dressed up as the mascot there.

Inside, it's not a traditional restaurant but they're well known for selling barbecue (e.g. brisket). They also have large sections of the inner store dedicated to selling lots of rustic and outdoor type things that you'd traditionally get at a department store--things like grills, tents, etc.

It's a destination for sure.

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

#146

Post by poulsbohemian »

johnea wrote: post #57

I already don't go to gas stations. I have a really hard time understanding the pushback to elctrification. Very fewe people (like almost none) drive more than 300 miles in a day 8-/ Most people in the plains states where the resistance is highest, live in single family homes where they could easily charge overnight.

Do you live somewhere in the east where states are close together? If I want to travel across my state, I'd have to plan a recharge somewhere along the way for nearly any electric vehicle. To fill up with gas would take ten minutes; as far as I can tell, any EV is going to take >30 minutes. Not saying that's a gating factor, but it's certainly something to consider. Likewise in states with more continental weather, there also appears to be some concern about extreme cold causing issues with charging and/or battery service life.

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

#147

Post by protocolture »

Scoundreller wrote: post #142
protocolture wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

Is the air free in Aussie stations? In Canada it’s usually a charge and a $10 compressor you can store in your trunk will pay itself off and more reliably work when you need it (especially if you have a slow leak & need it frequently). In a pinch I’ve used a bicycle pump (which is fine for a top up, not so much for fill-from-flat).

I havent seen a paid offering, but I would probably have paid rather than have driven to 3 looking for a working one.

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

#148

Post by jasondigitized »

danpalmer wrote: post #77

The gas station will be older, crappier. As the shift to electric cars takes hold new gas stations won’t be built, old ones won’t be renovated, and they’ll be squeezed harder. Expect more stuff to buy at worse prices with more advertising. Chargers will likely rise up around a different type of venue that won’t be seen as a gas station. More cafes, places suitable to spend 15+ minutes. Places with seating. Increasing…

I am seeing the exact opposite in Texas. Bucees's and QT are causing a lot of gas stations to up level both the amenities and merchandising. If anything the experience is getting a lot nicer. If you haven't been to a Bucee's you should.

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

#149

Post by jasondigitized »

They will follow the Buceee's model. It's not about the gas. It's about amenities and merchandising. Because of the amount of pumps, they would make a perfect fit for lots of electric chargers as well if they wanted to convert. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WksA55t6f9o

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

#150

Post by idontwantthis »

throw0101c wrote: post #136
latchkey wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Out of curiosity, what would you spray? (Probably not a good idea, there are camera's everywhere.)

> Out of curiosity, what would you spray? To take out speakers? Probably (closed cell) spray foam. * https://www.lowes.com/pl/insulation-accessories/spray-foam-i...

I was thinking acetone might do it discreetly.
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