Filling station

A filling station is a specialized facility designed to sell fuel and engine lubricants for motor vehicles. These sites act as local fuel depots and retailers. They receive fuel products from refineries via regular resupplies from large tank trucks. Most stations store these fuels in large tanks, which are typically located underground.

By providing various energy sources, filling stations support the movement of people and goods across the world.

The process of refueling involves several mechanical steps. First, a tanker truck arrives to offload fuel into the station's storage tanks. This often occurs through gravity using a capped opening on the station's perimeter. From these tanks, the fuel travels through underground pipes to the dispensers.

The fuel dispensers are the machines located in the forecourt, which is the area where vehicles refuel. These machines pump the liquid into the vehicle's tank while simultaneously gauging the volume transferred. Finally, the dispenser calculates the financial cost the consumer must pay. To protect the environment, many stations use a vapor recovery system. This system uses pipes to collect fuel vapors, liquefies them, and releases them back into the lowest grade fuel tank.

Filling stations offer a wide variety of fuel types to meet different technological needs. The most common are motor fuels like gasoline, also known as petrol, and diesel fuel. Gasoline is often sold in different products based on various octane ratings.

Stations also provide alternative fuels. These include liquified petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas, and compressed hydrogen. Other options include liquid hydrogen, kerosene, and alcohol fuels like methanol or ethanol. Some stations even provide biofuels, such as biodiesel or straight vegetable oil. Beyond fuel, many stations include an air compressor to help motorists inflate car tires.

Many stations also function as retail hubs. They often feature convenience stores that sell food, beverages, tobacco, and newspapers. Some even carry small grocery items like milk or eggs. In some cases, these shops have expanded to sell propane, butane, or even specialized items. Interestingly, the relationship between fuel and retail works both ways. Some large chain stores, such as supermarkets or warehouse clubs, have installed fuel pumps on their own premises.

The history of these facilities shows how they evolved alongside the automobile. The first known filling station was a city pharmacy in Wiesloch, Germany. In 1888, Bertha Benz refilled the tank of the first automobile on its maiden trip there.

In the United States, the first purpose-built gas station was constructed in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1905. By 1912, the first drive-in station opened in Columbus, Ohio. At this station, motorists drove in through the front door and out through the back. On its first day, this station sold gasoline for 27 cents per gallon.

Terminology for these locations varies significantly by region. In North America, the term "gas station" is most common because gasoline engines are so widespread. In the United Kingdom and much of the English-speaking world, the term "petrol station" is used instead.

In Australia and New Zealand, they are often called service stations or "servos." In Ireland and South Africa, the terms "garage" and "forecourt" remain common. In India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, people often refer to them as a "petrol pump" or "petrol bunk."

As technology changes, filling stations are adapting to new energy needs. The first alternative fuel station opened in San Diego, California, in 2003. More recently, in September 2019, a station in Takoma Park, Maryland, became the first in the U.S. to convert to an electric vehicle (EV) charging station. This shift reflects a broader movement toward different ways of powering transportation.

Even the construction methods are evolving, such as the underground modular systems patented in Finland in 1993. These modular stations can be installed very quickly, with one record showing a station built in less than three days.