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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?

#161

Post by mousethatroared »

pkulak wrote: post #158
mousethatroared wrote: post #156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Obviously the higher mass and torque of the EV causes more microplastics. This is basic materials science and the reason why EVs need tougher tires. I dont get why we're comparing F150s to the Model Y. When Im looking to buy a truck, Im not considering the Model Y (although In peeved the Ranger isnt hybrid). I have never considered a Tesla (Im not in the market for another sedan) but if I were my comparison would be…

> This is basic materials science and the reason why EVs need tougher tires. Exactly. Tires are formulated to the load they are designed to carry. It's why semis don't have to make a pit stop every 2 miles for new tires. But, like I said, brake dust is _far_ worse, and nearly eliminated with EVs: https://electrek.co/2025/05/27/another-way-electric-cars-cle... > I dont get why we're comparing F150s to the Model Y. Bec…

I can put EV tires on an ICE and get 100k miles out of the tires, but why would I? They suck.

The brake dust is a valid point but negated by hybrid drivetrains.

But it's all a wash. No one cares about externalities; neither the rich prog virtue signaling in an EV nor (obviously) the hick rolling coal. If they did there would be popular support for lowered speed limits and there isnt.

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

#162

Post by misterjensen »

Gas station convenience stores in Brazil have for the most part replaced regular convenience stores, especially outside regular work hours. Gas stations in Brazil tend to be well lit spaces with ample parking, surveillance and frequent police presence. I wouldn't be surprised if gas stations in the northern hemisphere become a little more like Brazilian gas stations as time goes by and urban violence increases in Europe, USA and Canada. I also don't buy on the inevitability of electric vehicles. I am pretty sure at least diesel and ethanol will be around for a long time.

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

#163

Post by PaulShin »

A fascinating thought exercise. It mirrors a question we obsess over every day at my startup: "In 15 years, what will an 'office' visit look like?"

My bet for the gas station: they become high-density "Service Hubs." The main product won't be selling gas, but selling time and convenience back to the driver. Think ultra-fast EV charging bays, automated Amazon package return kiosks, a great coffee subscription service, and maybe even quick biometric health check pods. They'll be data-driven, hyper-efficient service points.

I believe the traditional office is facing the same existential shift. Its core "product" a desk to sit at from 9 to 5 is becoming as obsolete as the gasoline pump.

The "office" of the future isn't a physical place; it's a system. A Workspace OS where the most important flow isn't people commuting to a building, but information flowing seamlessly from conversation → to idea → to action. It's a space where an AI teammate handles the repetitive work (summarizing meetings, tracking tasks), freeing up humans to do the deep, creative work that truly matters.

So, in 2040, perhaps the best gas stations and the best offices will have one thing in common: you'll barely notice they're there. They'll just be a seamless, intelligent system that helps you get where you need to go whether that's across the country, or from a great idea to a finished product.

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

#165

Post by HenryBemis »

magicalhippo wrote: post #84
codegeek wrote: post #16

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.

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,…

I remember reading this piece of news some time ago[0]: “People may not know – BP sells coffee. We sold 150 million cups of coffee last year,” Bernard Looney said in an interview in August (2020), referring to beverage kiosks attached to the company’s fuel stations. “This is a very strong business. It’s a growth business.”

I remember I was impressed by this. The only country I drink gas-station-coffee is Finland (because where else can you find coffee in the middle of nowhere?). So right after I read that article, and the first time I saw a BP gas station I got a coffee. It was 'cheap' and I assume EUR per mg of caffeine was 'ok', but the quality/flavor.. omfg. Also, volcanic hot, so thanks but no thanks.

[0]: https://businesstech.co.za/news/energy/433444/bp-doesnt-just...

With the hot-dogs, fries, pizzas, snacks, milk, cereal, alcohol (in some countries), they remind me of "The Profit" with Marcus Lemonis, where he is trying to use each square-inch from a retail store to sell stuff.

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

#168

Post by bruce511 »

p0d wrote: post #167

I am 53. All my life you stuck a fuel pipe in a hole and pressed. One of the differences is how you choose/can pay. And for those of you thinking EV, someone else is sticking fuel in a hole and pressing.

The difference between gas and electricity is that gas is a liquid.

Meaning that it has to be transported and stored. We have gas stations only because gas needs a "last mile" delivery station.

Electricity though is already last mile, into the home. Or into the business, or car park, etc. The idea that you "go somewhere to charge" is archaic.

Once upon a time the internet piggy backed the phones. Internet cafes were a thing. In a couple decades we went from dial-up to fibre. Wifi everywhere.

Sure there'll be specialist points for those traveling cross country who want 15 minute charges. But 99$ of cars will just plug in wherever they happen to be.

The thing that will kill gas cars is that gas stations will disappear. The business there will do anything, except supply gas.

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

#169

Post by johnea »

poulsbohemian wrote: post #146
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, t…

I live in California, the largest state in the continental US.

I know people that routinely travel in EVs between Mendocino county and San Diego county. Roughly the distance between NY and Georgia.

As far as the cold goes, somehow Norway is dealing with it, given they have the highest ratio of EVs of any country at this point. The battery tech is also catching up to this, and charge times in general, at least in China 8-/

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

#170

Post by abricot »

thorin wrote: post #132
magicalhippo wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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,…

Weinermelange!

Wienermelange?
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