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

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.

I know my view will be affected by the UK being generally a small country...

most people aren't driving 200+ miles a day, which means 90% of charging will be at home.

Driving longer that 200 miles means you probably want a decent break. So I would imagine that most "local" places will disappear / pivot into shops with EV charging also.

Motorway services will also change I think. Fast food isnt as much of an appeal when you're stuck there for an hour or so anyway. So I could see a rise in retrain complexes with charging abilities.

possibly changes in behaviour will also affect things. If im traveling 4-6hrs in a day, id be ok with stopping of for an hour at a shopping centre where I could charge and also do some shopping, maybe let the kids play in a softplay or whatever

The first clever folks to stick a bull ring within 5 minutes drive of the M6 will 200+ charging points will do VERY well I think.

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.

Increasingly gas stations will just be seen as a dated concept that isn’t living up to the world of 2040. Otherwise they’ll be almost exactly the same as today.

First I’d answer the question: should there be any gas stations at all? With self driving vehicles you could imagine a future where self driving gas dispensing trucks roam the highways to refill cars as they go.

Or instead of trucks you could imagine that the left lane on highways could be replaced by some kind of train on rails that your car could dock to. In that train you’d have the same crap you have in current gas stations: mostly toilets and food stuff.

Cars docking to stuff is something that really clicks with me, but you could really go one step further away. You could split cars between the part that runs and the part that carries passengers. The part that carries people could be some kind of capsule akin to a boat container that could be loaded onto something else. When on the highway, this cabin could be put on some giant train that would carry hundreds of these capsules and when you need to get off the highway, your capsule would be loaded on some independent single-capsule vehicle, that would drive you where you need to go.

It’s probably all terrible ideas because that would make everything a lot less resilient to problems in terms of operation, but you said sci fi :-)

Oh and yeah 15 years is way too short to see that kind of changes.

My prediction: 1) Yes, It'll sell gas but it'll also have electric stations. 2) Basic snacks and food but maybe more electric cigarettes lol 3) Only chips (either on your credit card, phone or under your skin) 4) Simplistic and white modern look 5) Cleaner restrooms as the robots clean every 30 min and no staff, more cameras with AI to detect anamoly and call 911 quickly.

In 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 all of the above (It will take 20 years to get rid of petrol cars when the last one is sold)

Plus more common ev charging. Maybe battery swaps.

They start to disappear in cities replaced by parking spot fast chargers. Some remain for ICE engines but fewer of them. The ICE engines ones are as now as there is no need to innovate e.g. robots filling your fuel.

Between cities they will be as now a rest stop mainly with fuel. Maybe more charging where you park.

Whether we staff or not depends on if we adopt Japanese culture. In Tokyo they have unattended fast food shops, and somewhat novelty robot servers at some restaurants.

I predict 50% chance of that happening. It may be driven to buy robots and automation becoming cheaper than labour plus mass surveillance making it less appetizing to steal.

Speaking as an American.

They will be virtually identical, except that there will be far more ads. Perhaps stations in super urban areas will integrate AI into the pump, using your name and level 3 data to market to you hyper-specifically.

Also Arizona teas will no longer say 99¢ on the can.

See 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.

They’ll probably keep dispensing hydrocarbon fuels. But we may see fuel stations migrate or integrate into other destinations a bit. Mostly Costco these days, but as we transition to electrically powered vehicles, we’ll see more charging + hydrocarbon fuel stations colocated with other businesses with linty of parking that also draw people for a significant amount of time, enough to charge an e-vehicle to significant degree.

I feel the concept of EV charging might be democratized. These are the problems with EV stations:

It takes a while to charge up.

No matter what, only a very few people can be accommodated at once.

On the flip side, setting up a gas station is hard, but that’s not the case with EV charging stations — especially if battery swapping is innovated. It also takes time to deeply penetrate the market, but EV charging is much more suitable for two-wheelers.

So there’s a clear gap — the current gas stations can’t handle the volume of people waiting for EV charging. What is the way forward? I feel anyone with an EV charger can set up an EV charging station at home. This means all your malls, houses, and parks might be converted into EV charging stations, making it much more decentralized.

I anticipate that anyone with an EV charger and good parking space can make some extra bucks from it. I feel the whole idea of gas stations might be democratized. I’m not sure — this is just what I feel. Feel free to let me know your opinion.

will it sell gas?

Yes and especially diesel which will not go away for a few generations. There are no EV replacements for heavy trucks and they do not appear to be viable yet. 3500 through 7500 series. Battery tech will have to make science fiction level improvements. When those trucks are gone society comes to a stand-still. Comparison to earth moving equipment in mines do not apply.

what convenience items will it sell?

The popular versions of what they sell today and is known to bring in revenue.

who, if anyone, will staff it?

Mostly high-school kids, some people that do not have the confidence to move on and some with criminal backgrounds.

what payment methods will it accept?

Credit, Debit, Cash. Maybe bitcoin.

will it offer new services?

If they have the parking lot space then there may be battery swap stations to quickly swap out EV packs, offer paid upgrades to newer batteries and battery tech every few years.

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.

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.

More advertising, more intrusive tracking and personal information collection (mandatory membership in something, swipe your license or scan some biometric, no cash options), more expensive gas. More nagging from your car about things that aren't even on your radar now.

The ones in towns will mostly disappear. There will be enough chargers at supermarkets, malls, restaurants, anywhere people actually want to go, and most people will charge at home or work. The remaining business won't be enough to keep in-town gas stations in business. Range anxiety will become more of an issue for gas cars.

On highways, it will be a different situation. There will be plenty of gas and diesel still available, as the remaining business from towns becomes more concentrated. You won't find a gas station without a restaurant attached though. Fast chargers will be common, but ultra-fast ones won't be as common as we'd like, as they will want to keep you just long enough to buy a meal, etc.

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.

Interesting Q - though I predict they will largely look the same. They may have more battery charging stations or replacement batteries (especially for stations on an interstate) but otherwise I think it will just be a nicer version of what we have today. Maybe higher quality hot food and more interesting snacks, which I think we are already seeing today with new stations.

Most gas stations today only have one employee at a time so it seems hard to cut that down (and not much incentive tbh).

Electric cars today are still under 10%. Cars last a really long time, so even if there is a huge surge in electric self-driving cars by 2030 there will still be lots of ICE cars on the road in 15 years.

Have a look at Norway:

"many service center operators are removing one or more gas pumps and installing EV chargers instead. According to Bloomberg Hyperdrive, at the Uno-X Furuset service area on the outskirts of Oslo, four gas pumps have become three. ... At some service areas, the fuel pumps are all being removed to make way for EV chargers. "

https://cleantechnica.com/2025/03/28/trading-gas-pumps-for-e...

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.

By 2040, I suspect not much will have changed. In the US, most engines that required leaded gasoline rolled off the assembly lines in the 1960s, with the legal phase-out beginning in the 1970s, and finally ending in the 1990s.

As I have a classic car that I intend to keep running, I suspect eventually (e.g. not by 2040), buying fuel for it will be similar to buying pre-mixed fuel for small two-stroke engines, like leafblowers and chainsaws: go to Auto Zone and buy a few gallons of fuel. Auto Zone and friends won't be going anywhere - EVs still need wiper blades, brake pads, and other incidentals.

It is hard to predict a new advancement in EV technology, but if we get to a point where an EV is cheaper than the equivalent ICE and charges faster than you can gas up (so about twice as fast as the fastest EV today), and has a longer range than the equivalent ICE, then people will buy more of them. Then we will start to see more EV chargers than gas stations.

Advancements in AI might make it possible to have attendant-less stations if you can have automated sales of snacks and other merchandise, and automated payments for chargers and gas, maybe you don't need an attendant on duty 24/7

I'm hoping it'll be like the GridServe electric forecourts in the UK: a place to charge your car, have a snack, do a bit of shopping or relax, or rent an office pod for a few hours. Wishful thinking, maybe, but what good is trying to peer into the future without a bit of that kind of thinking?

https://www.gridserve.com/electric-vehicle-charging/electric...

A lounge. There are too many today, tens of thousands will close. Most charging will take place at home or at work. EVs support payment by VIN with crypto primitives negotiating with the charger over the charger cable before charging starts, so how ever you’ll fund that balance (likely instant payments).

https://www.axios.com/2022/07/15/gas-stations-prices-closing

Somewhere in a photo album is a picture of my mother-in-law standing in front of a gas station 20-30 years ago. It was odd. Why stage this photo here? It didn't seem like a particularly pretty or special gas station.

I asked her about it, and she said she was thinking about how this common thing will probably disappear or look very different in the future, and it would be interesting to take a photo before it's gone.

Alas, the photo is still of a boring place that exists everywhere.

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

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.

More EV docks outside, more products from YouTubers and influencers inside. Maybe no cigarettes.

There’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?

If the future doesn't get totally stupid, there will probably be a small decline in gas stations much like in areas where industry has dropped off.

There will still be fossil based fuel for sale.

There may depending on how soon the world gets over the big misconception that fuels made from plant oils have to be bio fuels - additional bowsers for regular fuel that was created though cracking (in the same petro-refineries) organic oil as the input stock to produce an almost identical fuel to that which is made from fossil based sources - it might cost a little bit more though.

Possibly an area for refuelling liquid based fuel cell powered vehicles.

I find it funny that the AI 2027 thing got a non-vanishing fraction of Hackernews folk to wonder if humans would be fully eradicated from Earth in 5 years (I was influenced too!)

Anyway, just funny to now be talking about gas stations in 15 years.

2040 feels far too soon for this thought experiment, at least in the U.S. ICEs will remain the primary vehicle for most families until charging networks are built out. 40-50 years is more realistic.

EV share of car sales is around 10%. 15 year is around a car lifetime. So in the future, the gas stations will look roughly the same as today but we'll have, maybe, 10 or 15% less of them.

I've noticed in my particular region of the US, there's an attempt to move them somewhat upmarket-- instead of (or in addition to) the hot-dog roller there's a food counter preparing almost edible hot foods, the drinks machines have much wider choices (10-20 sodas and 8 coffee products instead of 6 sodas and two coffees)

Guessing the plan is that as EV charging replaces petrol purchases, they can reposition into the quick-meal market.

I expect their will be more entertainment options at fueling stations, eateries, some modern form of putt-putt, or arcades, to keep you busy for longer.

https://www.epa.gov/ust/petroleum-brownfields

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).

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.

I must not be as optimistic as the rest of you all. After the third world world war (which has already started) concludes, I would not be surprised for gas stations to appear as depicted here: https://fallout.wiki/wiki/Pre-War_Gas_Stations

In the USA at least they'll look exactly the same as today. Probably more advertising, but that's about it.

I think there will have to get much bigger, given the time that EVs take to charge.

Great question. Hopefully Alex and his team will help usher in a new change with Maggie's https://maggiesrefuel.com/about/

I think the split we see here will continue. Either you have cold stations that sell only fuel. Or you have large service station with food and such. Maybe with even more shopping floor space.

I doubt that gasoline cars will go away.

Not sure where you are, but hopefully we try harder to move away from cars in the US and adopt more rail (light, high-speed long distance, etc.) so in that world, they get replaced with housing or literally anything else.

The gas stations of today are merely the vape/weed shops of tomorrow.

toilets. there will always be toilets.

My guess is that they will be much the same as they are now, but perhaps with some charging stations added in. Maybe there will be fewer of them, maybe not.

That depends on 2 critical factors:

1. Whether the commercial nuclear fusion is gonna be invented

2. Whether the new type of battery is gonna be invented by then

There are going to be charging malls in the middle of nowhere. That’s about the only major change I expect. Think buckies or similar

The current arc is one of more integration with prepared food related business and that will likely continue going forward.

It will mostly be the same. The gas station will provide fast DC charging for BEVs and perhaps hydrogen fuel.

would be cool if it was like an automated F1 pitstop - roll in, refuel, auto pay, roll out

Yes, no idea, people, cc and mobile payment, probably digital, yes.

a lot more in number. folks in developing countries are buying gas cars in record numbers. huge opportunity

> In 15 years, what will a gas station visit look like?

Car parks.

We will be expected to tip at self serve fuel pumps

More gas stations will sell bubble tea.

Um.. I'd say there maybe a wake up call during these 15 years like a storm that the EV drivers cannot run from (because the range wouldn't let them).

I wonder what's it gonna be then??? Government busses?

You have to look into a camera and pledge allegiance to Baron Trump before the gas starts flowing. Insincere facial cues will be added to your permanent record.

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 not want human contact, digital payments from the pump standard. Food and beverages are as massive part of the profit. So what does that mean?

Automated fueling so your hands don't get dirty will exist. Cars will be able to communicate so they will queue you more efficiently.

There will be electric charging places. They are not "gas stations", you'll get a split. It's interesting to calculate what they would be. Land value vs time to recharge. They can be multistory. This is a whole other thing.