Fuel station pumps growing everywhere

It is a fact, fuel stations can be seen everywhere in Mauritius, for the most convenience of road users 🙂

With the increasing demand of petroleum products to power our motor vehicles, many people have indeed realised that this business can be very profitable but at the same time, require much investment.

These stations are accessible throughout the island and the operators are Shell, Total, Caltex and the latest one, Indian Oil ( which has already invaded the whole island).

Fierce competition, same price…

Fuel stations can even be seen on both sides of motorways nowadays!

On one day, you see company X building his station on the motorway, and some time after, you will notice another company Y starting the construction of his pumps on the other side of the motorway, lol!

Since the price of petrol is uniform throughout the island, the companies must play with other factors:

• Customer service
• Be present and accessible from anywhere.
• More efficient products
• Extra services

Extra services include

• Boutiques,
• Washing,
• Food,
• Fidelity cards

More Efficient products?

With the launching of Indian Oil services in Mauritius, many drivers (including myself) rushed to their stations for refills.

I do not know if its true, but their petrol seemed to be better.

And most lately, Shell came with its Extra fuel, which gives you more kms with same amount of fuel.

This time too, I seem to notice that it is indeed true, perhaps only a perception?

Risky job/business

Like most of the business in the world, much investment is required.

However, the biggest risk remain Robbery.

Indeed, many of the stations are vulnerable to thieves since

• Some of them are located in remote areas and in regions of high risk.
• Loads of money are carried by the employees

It even happened that the same stations have been robbed several times, and some people even left their lives while doing their jobs!

The future

With the importation of gas vehicles in Mauritius, the fuel stations have quickly offered this new refill service in most of the big stations on motorways. This also encouraged the creation of a few companies who install gas fuel systems into ‘normal’ vehicles.

Some of the stations are even opened all round the clock : 24/7!

I don’t see any important factors that may discourage the construction of more of them in the near future…

…until the wide use and availability of electric powered vehicles

but who knows, they may be providing spare batteries 😛