Filling Station

A filling station is a location that sells lubricants and fuel for vehicles. Since 2010, the most popular fuel sold is gasoline often referred to as simply ‘gas’ in Canada and United States or petrol in most other areas. Diesel fuel is another common fuel that is sold. Locations that only sell electric energy is referred to as a charging station.

In areas such as the United Kingdom, South Africa and Ireland, a filling station may also be referred to as a garage or fueling station, a gas station in Canada and United States, gasbar in Canada, petrol bunk or petrol pump in India, gasoline stand in Japan, petrol station or petrol garage in Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Australia, United Kingdom, South Africa and Ireland, a services in the UK, a service station in Japan, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, or a servo in Australia.

The gasoline/petrol, compressed natural gas, diesel, among other types of fuel are pumped using fuel dispensers. Fuel dispensers can be used for biofuels as well, including biodiesel and other forms of vehicle fuels. The dispensers calculate the amount of fuel dispensed to the vehicle. In certain areas of Australia, a fuel dispenser is called bowsers, gas pumps in North America, or petrol pumps in many Commonwealth countries.

Air compressors can be found at most filling stations for refilling inflating car tires. The majority of filling stations also provide a convenience store design, often providing electrical sockets which electric vehicles could use for charging.

Filling stations that incorporated convenience stores commonly offer soft drinks, candy, snacks, and other items. Depending on the filling station, it may sell butane or propane tanks. Furthermore, some chain store locations have incorporated a filling station, such as Wal-Mart in the United States, and Morrisons Sainsburys, Asda, and Tesco within the United Kingdom.

Worldwide Numbers

• As of the most recent figures (2013), it was indicated the United Kingdom has 8,455 petrol stations, reduced from 18,000 stations in 1992, and roughly 40,000 during the mid-1960s.
• In 2012, according to a census, the United States had 114,474 filling stations. This is down from 118,756 (2007) and 121,446 (2002).
• As of 2008, Canada had a recorded 12,684 operating filling stations, a steady decrease since 1989 with 20,000 stations.
• By 2009, Japan filling stations were recorded at 40,357, down from 60,421 in 1994.
• In 2011, the number of filling stations were down to 14,300 in Germany.
• Depending on the report, the number of filling stations in China ranges between 95,000 to 97,000 in 2009.
• As of March 2016 India had 56,190 operating stations.
• As of 2011, there were roughly 25,000 filling stations in the Russian Federation.
• In 2014, records reported only 3,916 operating stations in Argentina, down 2 percent from 2013.