New petrol stations fuel discussions among motorists. Why?

The landscape of Australian petrol retail is shifting gears.

One of Australia's largest retailers launched new petrol stations across the country.

However, these new stations sparked discussions that motorists should also consider.


Petrol retailer AMPOL recently rolled out self-service petrol stations across the country.

Drivers can now fill their fuel tanks up through AMPOL's U-Go petrol stations.

Drivers can drive to a nearby U-Go station, tap their card, and fill up without interacting with petrol station staff.


compressed-UGO.jpeg
U-Go stations promise a quick fuelling service for motorists. Image Credit: U-Go


As of writing, there are seven U-Go stations in NSW, five in Queensland, four in South Australia, and three stations in Victoria.

While U-GO stations have gained traction in Australia for their novelty, self-service stations are not a new phenomenon.

Several countries across the globe have already embraced self-service petrol stations.

AMPOL's move towards this model was prompted by a combination of factors, which raised discussions among motorists and even advocacy groups.


The increasing number of electric vehicles and staffing challenges prompted AMPOL to introduce U-Go petrol stations.

'We are encountering significant challenges in terms of operating our service stations around the clock,' Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association's Chief Executive, Mark McKenzie, stated in an interview.

On the other hand, Retail and Fast Food Workers Union's secretary, Josh Cullinan, pointed out that 'very poor' working conditions could be a factor in the staff shortage.

Hiring staff members to man petrol stations has been challenging, especially for overnight duties.


However, the transition to self-service does not necessarily mean lower prices for drivers.

A self-serve station in Dunnegong and a manned BP station just 500 metres away from each other had identical prices for unleaded petrol.

So, where are the savings from reduced staffing costs going?

The money saved on wages has been redirected into technology to monitor the stations.

This included surveillance systems and remote shutdown capabilities in case of emergencies.

While reassuring, the absence of on-site staff still raised safety concerns for customers.


Without a physical supervisor, there's no guarantee of an immediate response during emergencies.

It could also be a deterrent for motorists who value safety over convenience.

Mr Cullinan pointed out that the lack of staff meant that there was no one 'trained and able to act quickly' in case something went wrong.

His point was valid, considering that petrol stations handle dangerous goods and require strict adherence to safety protocols.

For those who are used to traditional service stations, the idea of a self-service station might be daunting.

It's not just about the potential safety issues but also the loss of personal interaction and assistance that many appreciate.

Whether it's help with checking tyre pressure and oil levels or just having a friendly chat, the presence of staff at petrol stations has been more than just about selling fuel.
Key Takeaways

  • Fuel retailer AMPOL started rolling out self-service petrol stations across Australia.
  • Challenges such as more electric vehicles and fewer staff willing to work at service stations drove AMPOL to introduce self-service stations.
  • Retail and Fast Food Workers Union highlighted that poor working conditions affected staffing, which led to the establishment of self-service stations.
  • Despite self-service stations reducing staffing costs, drivers may not see much savings from their fuel.
We would love to hear from you! What are your thoughts on the rise of self-service petrol stations? Do you prioritise convenience, or do you have concerns about the lack of on-site staff? Share your thoughts and opinions about this change in the comments below.
 

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Ampol is asking for trouble by allowing petrol to be served without supervision. With the number of clowns stealing cars, driving off without paying, leaving a bowser operating and dropping the hose etc. I have no doubt there are inbuilt safety systems, but as we have seen on previous situations they do not always work. I can see no sign of fire extinguishers being available.
 
Fortunately there aren't any here in WA yet but certainly won't be using them if they do get here. At this rate everyone will be unemployed and sitting at home. Not good.
 
You can put fuel in with your phone. You don't tap it on anything. You simply put the fuel pump # in, the amount and then you put in your fuel. On your phone there is a circle that moves around with every $ you put in, and a round full circle when done. You get a receipt # and you drive away. You tap on nothing and you don't go into the servo. It works magic.
 
Ampol is asking for trouble by allowing petrol to be served without supervision. With the number of clowns stealing cars, driving off without paying, leaving a bowser operating and dropping the hose etc. I have no doubt there are inbuilt safety systems, but as we have seen on previous situations they do not always work. I can see no sign of fire extinguishers being available.
They eliminate drive offs...due to the fact that you have to pre pay for your fuel. Fire extinguishers may be built in overhead on the permanent canopy ( guessing on that ). Static electricity from phones could possibly ignite fuel vapors when using pump in cars or Jerry cans. Not really sure of other concerns because I haven't been to one. I did work for a number of years in a servo and we had access to fuel cut off controls close to the register in an emergency situation. If these new servos are remotely monitored then they would have emergency controls at hand by the unseen operator. Because of the volatility of fuels I would think that there would be a host of options to handle accidental ignition of fuel fumes or liquids.
 
Copying CostCo
Exactly, we've been doing it for so long it is second nature, you swipe you Costco card and then you give access to either a visa or credit card up to a certain amount then start filling your tank, easy.
 
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I use our local service station, which has been in the area for years. Nothing like having a chat with the Person behind the counter, as long as others aren`t waiting, the personal touch always wins.
 
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Costco has been doing this for years hence their ability to offer discounted fuel.
Lower overheads = cheaper fuel = no jobs for the masses.
 
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