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Gas stations in transition: E-charging stations are fighting against bureaucratic hurdles
Gas stations are investing in e-charging stations, but are struggling against bureaucracy and falling gasoline sales. What are the challenges?
Gas stations in transition: E-charging stations are fighting against bureaucratic hurdles
In Germany, gas station operators are facing significant challenges due to the increasing electrification of transport. Loud World Many gas stations are investing in expanding their infrastructure with charging stations in order to be prepared for a future with fewer combustion engines. However, this high investment does not seem to be worthwhile for medium-sized gas stations so far. Bureaucratic hurdles and inadequate infrastructure are slowing down the necessary expansion of e-charging stations.
Carsten Müller, CEO of the Federal Association of Independent Gas Stations (BfT), points out that only about one electric car is charged every three days at fast charging stations in Germany. The BfT represents a total of 2,766 gas stations and reports that the average electricity sale at e-charging stations is 9,000 kilowatt hours per year, which corresponds to around 100 charging processes. An investment in a high-performance charging station, also known as a hypercharger, costs around 350,000 euros. Despite these high costs, the sale of gasoline and diesel continues to make a significant contribution to the economic backbone of gas stations, even if this turnover is trending down.
Market development and challenges
The gas station market in Germany remains stable with around 14,000 locations, although the number of cars increased from 41.7 million in 2010 to 49.1 million in 2024. The five large companies such as Aral, Shell and Esso continue to dominate the market, while medium-sized operators account for almost the other half of sales. For these medium-sized gas stations, the shop business and car washes are the most important sources of income. On average, a BfT member gas station generates 1.25 million euros in sales and a profit of 235,148 euros. Tobacco products and beverages are the main products sold.
The federal government's announcement that it will increase the minimum wage to 15 euros is perceived by operators as a serious risk to the profitability of their businesses. The share of wage costs in operating costs is currently between 53% and 62% and could rise to up to 70% with the increase. Additionally, many gas stations have difficulty finding staff, particularly in rural areas, resulting in reduced opening hours. However, due to their supply function, they have special permits for operation during night hours and on public holidays.
Reducing bureaucracy in energy law
In addition, the draft stipulates that users of electric vehicles with bidirectional charging are not classified as suppliers and therefore do not have to pay taxes. This could avoid double taxation when using electricity storage. However, critics from the industry, including Annette Selter from the BDI, complain that this bill could lead to a massive build-up of bureaucracy that would not benefit companies, but only the administration.
Overall, gas station operators are faced with a complex area of tension between necessary investments, rising wage costs and bureaucratic hurdles. The coming months could be crucial in determining how successfully industry players will overcome the challenges ahead.