Gas stations in prominent German urban areas aren't grappling with fuel scarcity, but rather facing hurdles related to the overall energy market and storage arrangements. Let's delve into the intricacies.
Workforce challenges and technological glitches
Previously, it was announced by Germany's third-largest oil company operator that they were selling off 1198 petrol stations in the country alone. These stations would continue to operate under the TotalEnergies brand for at least five years, provided Total wished to continue supplying the stations with fuel. The stations would eventually be transferred to Canadian corporation "Alimentation Couche-Tard" .
Minimal revenue from fuel sales
Total attributed their exit from the petrol station sector to Europe's ambition to achieve climate neutrality and its impending ban on combustion engines post-2035. The decrease in fuel sales contributed to a declined turnover in petrol stations, including the empty one depicted in the featured image .
Diverse business approach
The new owners intend to diversify their petrol station operations by incorporating restaurants and retail spaces, similar to the "Circle K" model, which is popular in countries like Poland, the Baltics, and Scandinavia .
Additional Insights:
The soaring gasoline prices have steered many drivers toward electric vehicles, negatively impacting gasoline sales in regions such as Dresden. Energy traders are apprehensive about the government incentivizing fuel stockpiling, fearing price instability. Meanwhile, several oil companies, including Total, are grappling with supply challenges due to maintenance work and production cuts in areas like southern Germany, affecting the supply chain . The broader energy market is affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as the transition to renewable energy sources; nonetheless, these factors do not directly cause petrol pump fuel shortages .
