…Evolution of shapes, designs, services offered and size.
ONE of the most amazing technological changes in the oil industry has been the evolution of the filling station; also called gas station or simply petrol station depending on the country of jurisdiction.
In the beginning, there were no filling stations as we know them today. Fuel was sold in small tins at pharmacies, hardware shops, black smith shops and some motels and filled in the automobile by the customer.
At that time, it was inconceivable to imagine that one day, we shall have a filling station as we have today. From buying prepacked fuel in small cans, an evolution started.
The filling station has evolved not just from an architectural design point of view but also from selling fuel only to a full-service station status; one which sells fuel, lubricants, battery water, coolant and has a convenience shop.
Not only that but has also tyre pressure facilities, ATMs, and electronic payment facilities. Full-service station simply means full-service station. If it does not have what constitutes a full-service station, it is a partial service station.
Filling station evolution has not just been about unique shapes but also in size. For instance, this year; the biggest filling station in the world opened in Sevierville, Tennessee, courtesy of Buc-ee’s.
The 74, 000-square-foot station has 120 pumps and is run by more than 350 workers, according to a Today.com report dated Jul 4, 2023. This is approximately equal to 6, 874.82 sq meters. It’s a massive concept.
From historical images to the 21st images of the modern filling station, it is clear that the best design is yet to come. Designing something outstanding does not necessarily mean investing too much money. It must be designed around a certain unique concept. Some concepts can be basic but yet outstanding and unique.
I have seen concepts which look mushrooms before. In Zambia, the most used shape is the rectangular standard shape; not sure which concept was relied upon to arrive at a rectangular shape but some look really good yet others are not attractive.
The fact that the most used shape at filling stations in Zambia is the rectangular canopy does not mean that this is the only canopy type which we can come up with.
We can come up with extraordinary canopies and overall filling station design never seen before yet at an affordable cost and in line with a greening agenda.
It is all about creativity. Maybe we have not just pushed each other much or allowed innovative concepts to be used. With a greening agenda having been launched by the new dawn administration, there is need to rethink the petrol station designs in tandem with the dictates of a green economy.
It is amazing how the petroleum retail industry has evolved from selling fuel in small tins in pharmacies and hardware shops to today’s biggest filling station in the world with 120 pumps or dispenser units. The evolution has not just been regarding the extent of services offered but also the design, shape, and size.
.Dr. Johnstone Chikwanda is an energy expert, researcher, and a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Zambia. Email: j_chikwanda@yahoo.com
