Everything is written about gasoline. It is one of the engines of our economy, directly responsible for the inflation we are suffering today. The price of diesel and the gasoline has been fired despite the fact that the Petroleum It has been stable at $100 for months. That’s why everyone is looking for the same thing: cheap gasoline.
In this sense, in Spain we have two types of gas stations: normal and low cost. The former are run by BP, Repsol, Shell, Total Energies, Galp and many others. And the second usually: Alcampo, Eroski and a lot of small brands.
Some are priced gasoline as marked by the market, the latter have cheap gasoline. Does this mean that low cost gas stations give low quality gasoline? Give us a moment and we’ll explain it to you.
In AutoBild they have asked themselves the same question and have unraveled an issue that brings millions of Spaniards upside down: if gasoline and diesel is worth less at one gas station than another, that has to mean something.
Why gasoline in Spain is safe no matter where you refuel
As our colleagues explain, the price of gasoline in one is cheaper than in another. It’s true. And this usually means that one product is of higher quality than another. It’s also true. But in the case of fuels there is a big but.
To begin with, all the fuel that is sold in Spain comes from eight different refineries, they use the same oil that Spain imports.. Then, it is the Hydrocarbon Logistics Company (CLH) that is in charge of its storage in large tanks.
These tanks are the ones that then go to the gas stations (both normal and low cost) and are filled in the underground tanks to supply their service stations.
From here where the differences between the different types of gasoline and diesel appear. But not between low cost and normal gas stations but, in general, between all distributors, since each brand adds a series of additives to improve the properties of the fuel.
These additives improve the performance and efficiency of the fuel, which can translate into an increase in autonomy per tank and a reduction in consumption. Each brand, including low cost gasoline, add their additives.
In Spain all the fuels that are sold have a minimum quality standard that ensures that the gasoline, diesel or gas that is supplied at a gas station is good and vehicle insurance. For this reason, no matter how much you refuel at a low cost, your car will not break down sooner.
How low cost gas stations offer cheap gasoline
Low cost gas stations have better prices because they save costs by dispensing with things like: staff and location. In a low cost if there is a worker it is usually only one person and is for the collections and little else.
Then there is the question of the station itself, simpler and less complex than a conventional station. In addition, many times these gas stations are located far from urban centers and are part of supermarket chains. or supermarkets that use gasoline as a lure to attract customers, such as Alcampo or Carrefour gasoline.
All this allows low cost companies to offer cheap gasoline without harming the quality of the gasoline or diesel. So you can feel calm and safe the next time you refuel at one.