That little something extra 

But food and fuel are no longer enough to ensure that customers keep coming back. We spend a lot of time thinking about how to make our stations more useful and meaningful for our customers.

Convenience is a big part of it. Most of our stations include a retail space selling motor oils, soft drinks and other convenience items, as well as coffee and food from Wild Bean Café, PetitBistro, or ampm. In the UK, in-station Marks & Spencer outlets selling quality salads, fruits, vegetables, meats and ready-to-cook meals are saving customers a trip to the supermarket. 

At select stations we’ve introduced internet kiosks, luxury bathrooms and banking machines that do more than dispense cash. BPTV plays pump-side at some BP stations in Britain and the USA, broadcasting traffic and weather updates and tips for motorists who want to reduce their carbon footprints.

Stations with environmentally friendly features may appeal to customers who are concerned about climate change. Premium, lower-carbon fuels like BP Ulltimate, biofuels and autogas mean motorists have more choice. Many of our stations run partly on wind and solar power generated from on-site wind turbines and solar panels built into the station canopy. 

Helios House in Los Angeles, California, opened in 2007. It features a distinctive, iceberg-shaped canopy made from recycled steel triangles, with energy-efficient lighting and built-in troughs to collect rainwater. All told, it uses a fifth less energy than a conventional service station.