Questions over future of rural petrol stations

Trade publication Autocar has reported on news that around 100 petrol stations were forced to pause sales last year due to the pandemic

In 2019, 70 per cent of independent filling stations that were operating in 2000 shut their doors permanently.

The report outlines how petrol stations have been supplementing fuel sales with additional retail for years, however smaller, rural stations have tended to struggle to provide these services to make up the shortfall.

Additionally, the move to replace fossil fuels with electricity has caused problems for rural forecourts, which the report warns, have ‘no possibility of becoming charge hubs for electric cars.’

Full article:

Autocar - Analysis: What future is there for rural petrol stations?