Fuel stations across India are set for a major transformation, with the government urging them to reposition themselves as “energy entrepreneurs” offering not just fuel but also electric vehicle (EV) charging, rooftop solar, digital payments, and non-fuel revenue services such as battery swapping and financial kiosks.
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri outlined this vision while addressing the All India Petroleum Dealers Association (AIPDA) Conclave in Delhi on Thursday. AIPDA is the country’s largest body representing petroleum retail outlet dealers.
“Let this conclave be not just a gathering of peers, but the starting point of a new journey — a journey that takes you beyond retail, beyond margins, and into the very heart of India’s energy transformation,” Puri told attendees, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued on Friday.
Fuel stations as future energy platforms
The minister said India’s 70,000-plus fuel retail outlets must prepare for a changing energy landscape by integrating clean energy and digital services. He urged dealers to collaborate with oil marketing companies (OMCs) to install EV charging stations, adopt rooftop solar power, and upgrade their infrastructure with energy-efficient designs.
The statement noted that as India reduces its dependence on crude oil, diversifies its energy mix, and boosts renewables, the physical footprint of petroleum dealers — spanning from Ladakh to Lakshadweep — can be strategically used to enable “accessibility, availability, and affordability” of clean energy.
Push for non-fuel revenue and digital customer experience
Puri encouraged petroleum dealers to leverage the prime locations of their outlets to offer non-fuel services like fintech-enabled digital payments, utility bill collection, water kiosks, clean toilets, and battery swapping. He said such diversification would not only enhance customer experience but also unlock new revenue streams.
He called for a transformation in how petrol pumps are perceived and operated, advocating for automated billing, digital dispensing systems, zero pilferage technology, and real-time grievance redressal as new operational norms.
Dealers urged to become energy entrepreneurs
To support this shift, Puri asked the dealer community to upskill their workforce in customer service, digital tools, and safety practices. He emphasised the need for structured training and close coordination with OMCs to meet emerging expectations.
“You are the physical interface between the Indian citizen and the national energy system,” Puri said. “As the energy ecosystem evolves, so must your role — from dealer to energy partner.”
Full story Petrol pumps to evolve into green energy & service hubs: Puri tells petroleum dealers
Share this:
