You might think that gas stations are very profitable for their managers. While this certainly applies to those belonging to large groups such as TotalEnergies, Esso or even BP, it is absolutely not the case for independent institutions. And this is especially true during a shortage like the one we experienced last October, which lasted almost a month. So much so that 14% SRT would be now in a difficult position throughout France. An insane number that could get even worse in the coming months as the situation continues to deteriorate.

[#SudRadio]🗣@dupontainan : “For a real reduction in the price of fuel to 1.50 euros, it is necessary to tax the profits of oil companies! »

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— Southern Radio (@SudRadio) July 4, 2022

Many closures

As a result, many independent stations may cease operations in the more or less short term. This is exactly what Philippe Nozier, president of the association of 40 million motorists, explains. Over the past 40 years, the number of small traditional service stations has decreased by seven. Until the beginning of the 2000s, they mainly suffered from increasing competition large-scale distribution using road fuel as a loss leader, realizing a margin of only 1 to 2 euro cents on each liter“.

An alarming decline

And it’s not supposed to get any better, particularly due to the growing popularity of electric cars and the increase in the number of charging stations. So much so that some experts expect it to disappear 27% of SRT by 2030 and the third by 2035. The date that corresponds to the date of the ban on the sale of thermal cars throughout the European Union.