Are 'No-Petrol' Stations Heading to the UK?

The UK is already moving in leaps and bounds towards a fossil fuel free future. And now, global oil and gas giant Royal Dutch Shell is spearheading the revolution with plans to open Britain’s first “no-petrol” service station.

Set to launch in London, the station will swap traditional unleaded and diesel pumps for biofuels, electric vehicle charge points and hydrogen cell refuelling options. It's all part of its drive towards cleaner motoring, with sources close to the Anglo-Dutch oil giant revealing that while the project is still in its early stages, Shell does plan to go ahead with the launch.

If you can't beat them, join them

For some critics, the big question is why Shell is supporting the switch to a fossil free Britain? The answer is quite simple – it has no choice. With the UK pledging to ban all petrol and diesel powered vehicles by 2040, Shell needs to adapt or be left behind. The "no-petrol" service station reflects the company’s newfound environmental conscience, as well as its plans to develop new alternative fuels and overhaul its retail arm.

Complement existing hydrogen cell refuelling stations

While the announcement is exciting it's not the first time Shell has dabbled in unorthodox petrol stations. It already operates a busy hydrogen cell refuelling station at Cobham on the M25 and has plans to open three more stations later this year. It will also roll out high-speed electric vehicle charge points across 400 of its UK service stations, allowing drivers to charge their electric vehicle batteries by up to 80% in just 30 minutes.

Making filling up a 'lifestyle' experience

The group is also about to launch an ambitious 18 month pilot scheme that will see its electric stations presented as “retail destinations.” So, instead of simply filling up in a matter of minutes drivers will be encouraged to enjoy quality food and coffee complemented by free WiFi. Convenience is understandably a top priority, which is why Shell is also trialling an app-based fuel delivery service that allows drivers to request charge ups, on demand.

Understandably, Shell is under immense pressure to protect itself against the threat of an electric revolution. This means that in the lead up to 2040 it's working double time to boost efficiency. For an in depth look at one of the latest techniques making waves in the oil industry don't miss 'Non-Invasive Clamp-On Ultrasonic Flow Measurement of Crude Oil.'