With the growing prevalence of electric vehicles and the need for charging locations, customers expect more from gas stations—from fast internet connectivity to app fueling and frictionless payment options. Learn how
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Today’s gas stations are more than just a stop on the road to refuel; they now offer weary travelers a chance to recharge with an ever-expanding choice of food and drinks, souvenirs, and even showers and restaurants. As of 2023, food and drink sales comprised about 37 percent of total in-store profits, with prepared foods leading the pack as the number one revenue maker in the food service category.
This evolution from simple fuel provider to recreational destination has made operating a gas station a more complex proposition than in past decades, especially as technology has become further entrenched in our daily lives. Staying apprised of the latest technological innovations is a must for gas station operators, who can experience any number of inefficiencies or missed opportunities if they are held back by outdated digital systems.
The proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) has added another layer of complexity to gas station operations, which are seeing a rapid increase in demand for EV charging. According to research from the International Energy Agency, nearly 14 million new electric cars were registered globally in 2023, bringing the total number on the road to 40 million. Meanwhile, in 2023, EV sales increased 35 percent over the previous year. The agency notes that this is five times higher than demand as recently as 2018.
With 500,000 EV charging stations expected by 2030, connectivity access at those stations will become increasingly important as customers look for ways to stay busy while they wait for their EVs to charge. Along with building EV facilities, gas stations will have to consider the speed and level of charging they’ll provide.
Deloitte’s insights reveal that 54 percent of people who don’t currently own a car would be willing to purchase an EV in the future, with an additional 30 percent currently considering it.
The rise of EV stations, along with the increasing popularity of rideshares and a shift in vehicle ownership trends among younger generations are prompting gas stations to further reinvent the customer experience. This change in consumer expectations calls for gas station operators to provide enhanced EV (and e-bike/e-scooter) charging, as well as charging for other mobile devices, along with contactless app fueling and frictionless payment options that are themselves a rapidly growing market.
More than 90% of car owners use digital payment services.
More than 90 percent of car owners use digital payment services, according to Deloitte, and 86 percent would use digital and contactless payment options given the choice. This diversification is a clear sign to retailers that implementing an array of payment options is essential to their continued success.
These various changes have also compelled gas station operators to adopt more environmentally friendly practices, such as monitoring for fuel leaks and tracking energy consumption, to meet escalating government regulations and cater to shifting consumer preferences. Going forward, gas stations will need to be able to serve customers driving a variety of vehicles, from traditional fuel-based and diesel vehicles to hybrids, autonomous cars, and EVs.
Gas stations that go digital often begin by incorporating apps and loyalty programs into seamless checkout processes. They also leverage analytics and AI to engage in smart management that factors in complex data to increase sales and profitability by matching regionally competitive prices.
Adopting digital processes to accommodate the broad range of customer demands is a requirement for any gas station operator. The question then becomes: How do you find the right technology provider for your business? And once you do, how will you implement that technology without interrupting operations?
Your connectivity infrastructure can make or break your business. For example, one study found that station internet connectivity problems caused more than 55 percent of failed EV charging sessions. And your connectivity must be fast to power the seamless customer experiences demanded by the modern consumer. Connectivity also must be part of the right bundle of integrated solutions to help you optimize operations while enhancing the shopper experience.
The comprehensive coverage provided by
As digital infrastructure continues to expand, the ability to quickly process and support electronic payments, EV charging, and other transactions while maintaining continuous operations is paramount. The extensive bandwidth provided by the
Powered by America’s largest 5G network,
With rapid deployment of 24/7 fixed wireless access (FWA), covering the largest geographical footprint in the U.S.,
In addition to high-speed internet, we deliver robust
For gas station owners committed to enhancing operations and increasing profits,
Smart fuel management: IoT sensor solutions are perfect for gas stations implementing (or thinking of implementing) multi-modal fuel options. Our sensors offer smart fuel management, which includes monitoring fuel levels in real time, predicting demand, and automated reordering. This creates improvements in operational efficiency and cost savings to help keep your profit margins in the black. These systems are also equipped to detect fuel leaks, contributing to sustainability efforts by preventing environmental damage.
Asset tracking: IoT sensors can also be used for automated asset tracking, eliminating the need for manual tracking and data entry and reducing human errors. For gas station associates, IoT devices reduce mundane tasks, allowing workers to engage more with customers, enhancing job satisfaction and efficiency. Additionally, with real-time data at their fingertips, your team can proactively manage inventory and equipment needs.
Asset condition tracking: IoT sensors also provide accurate, real-time data on the location, humidity, and impact conditions of inventory and equipment, minimizing losses due to damage or spoilage and reducing time spent searching for misplaced items.
Compliance and sustainability: Gas stations must maintain rigid compliance with regulatory standards like those set by the FDA for temperature-sensitive food products. IoT sensor solutions help them do so by offering powerful temperature monitoring capabilities. Such systems ensure that products are stored within safe temperature ranges, helping stations meet regulatory standards and avoid penalties.
Temperature monitoring has the added benefit of enhancing power efficiency by keeping foods at optimal temperatures, reducing costs and waste, and creating a more energy efficient store environment.
Safety and security: When it comes to security, smart video analytics can boost your gas station’s profitability by facilitating remote monitoring. This capability enhances decision-making and allows for quick responses to emerging situations, such as theft (a growing problem in retail), by sending immediate alerts to store personnel or security teams, facilitating a rapid and targeted response to help mitigate security risks.
To cover your bases, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) provides you with robust protection against cyberthreats and unauthorized access by integrating multiple network and security functions into a single platform.
SASE also simplifies network management and offers automatic protection through
When customers enter a gas station, managers have moments to maximize consumer engagement and conversion. This begs the question: How do you optimize sales per minute? How do you ensure that wait times—which 70 percent of customers associate with negative feelings like frustration and boredom—remain as low as possible? This is where a strong, reliable network comes into play; with it, gas stations can provide customers with fast digital payment options, strong
70% of customers associate wait times with negative feelings like frustration and boredom.
The key to unlocking operational efficiency that drives a new level of customer loyalty lies in your ability to integrate advanced connectivity and innovative technologies that help you streamline your processes and create the experiences your consumers need. We are here to help you seize this opportunity.
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