Fifteen provinces diverge from the trend
Spain is witnessing a notable surge in unmanned, cashless service stations that typically offer lower fuel prices than traditional outlets. Over the last four years, their numbers have doubled, with more than two in five gas stations nationwide now qualifying as low-cost facilities.
The shift toward autonomous service stations began around 2013. By the end of 2023, the count rose from 1,033 locations in 2020 to 2,100, according to the National Association of Automatic Service Stations (AESAE). AESAE based its figures on data from the Ministry of Ecological Transition’s Geoportal.
In 2023, the unmanned model expanded by 12 percent, accounting for more than 20 percent of Spain’s total gas stations, a clear rise from 2022.
Manuel Jiménez Perona, president of AESAE, noted that in addition to new stations, many small business owners recognized a market opportunity by adopting this format in their towns. He also highlighted that traditional stations converting to automatic operation to boost efficiency mark a major advance for the sector.
AESAE reports that around 11 percent of unmanned stations operate under traditional brands that have switched to this format. The association represents roughly half of all such stations.
Approximately 54 percent belong to small entrepreneurs who used their savings to leverage the flexibility and cost advantages offered by the technology.
The remaining 34 percent consist of independent companies operating more than ten low-cost stations. These groups tend to post lower prices due to reduced operating costs and the freedom to purchase fuel on the wholesale market.
According to AESAE’s end-2023 data, Catalonia remains the region with the highest share of low-cost stations at 32 percent of the national total.
Following are the Valencian Community at 29 percent and Madrid at 25 percent. The remaining regions fall below the national average of 20 percent, with the Canary Islands at 6 percent and the Balearic Islands at 11 percent. Navarra and Cantabria sit at 11 and 6 percent respectively in terms of penetration.
Nearly average is the position of La Rioja at 19 percent, along with Castile and León at 19 percent. Other regions cluster around 18 percent, including Andalucía, Extremadura, Aragón, and Castilla-La Mancha.
On the growth front, the Canary Islands (38 percent) and Navarra (26 percent) show the strongest increases in low-cost stations, followed by the Basque Country (25 percent), Madrid (22 percent), the Valencian Community (18 percent), Murcia (16 percent), Andalucía (15 percent) and Castilla-La Mancha (12 percent).
In contrast, some regions have seen little or no growth, notably the Balearic Islands and Asturias, with no increase recorded, and Catalonia at 3 percent.
Regionally, 15 of the 50 provinces exceed the national average growth, led by Barcelona with 35 percent, Valencia at 31 percent, Girona at 31 percent, and Lleida at 30 percent.
On the other end, Santa Cruz de Tenerife trails with 2 percent, followed by Las Palmas and León at 9 percent. Among those with notable growth, Santa Cruz de Tenerife rose by 50 percent, Toledo by 37 percent, Cádiz by 35 percent, Las Palmas by 35 percent, and Álava by 30 percent.
Business observers note that some provinces hesitate to grow at the same pace as the national average because large sector players prioritize capital cities where population density is high and competition is thinner.
Still, AESAE communications suggest these provinces are likely to keep expanding as many associates work on projects awaiting municipal approvals.
There is concern that some city councils hinder the rollout of unmanned stations. For example, AESAE highlights the Basque Country’s Decree 165/2018, which has drawn a formal complaint to the European Commission.
Overall, AESAE points to a shifting landscape in which technological flexibility and cost discipline are reshaping the fuel retail scene across Spain.