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English Español “Low cost” gas stations on the rise in Spain

Self-service filling stations offering gas up to 15% cheaper have sprouted like mushrooms in crisis-hit Spain.



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Author: Daniel Tuano

Between 2007 and 2014, the number of unmanned gas stations expanded 65% while the traditional ones contracted 1.3%, according to Spanish oil company Repsol.

There has been an increase in demand for these “low cost” alternatives because they offer faster service, up to 10 cents less than traditional gas station prices, and are open 24 hours, 365 days a year, according to Eroski Consumer.

Repsol has already joined the bandwagon and put up 15 “low cost” gas stations.

However, not everyone is happy with the proliferation of this new business model.  According to ecomotor.es, business groups, labor unions, and consumer groups themselves are up in arms against these so-called “ghost gas stations” arguing that these will destroy jobs, pose security risks, and infringe on consumer rights.

Gas stations sans personnel have already been prohibited in Spanish regions of Navarra, Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Aragon.  Balearic Islands and Asturias might follow suit.

“Maximum security is being observed in all service stations because control is very important,” said Miguel Angel Lazaro of Applus Norcontrol in an interview with larioja.com.

This might be new in Spain but self-service gas stations have been long in place in other European countries accounting to 20% of gasoline stations in France and Belgium, and 50% in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland.

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Mahdiar

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