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Date Published: 20/12/2024

The Region of Murcia ranks sixth in Spain for petrol stations

There are currently 484 filling stations in Murcia, a 38% increase in the last 15 years

The Region of Murcia has maintained its position as the sixth province with the most petrol stations in Spain since 2009, according to the latest census from the National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC). Over the past 15 years, the Region has seen a 38% increase in service stations, going from 350 to 484, which is 8 points higher than the national average.

As of June 2024, the provinces with the highest number of service stations are Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, followed by Alicante, Sevilla, Murcia and Toledo.

In terms of stations per 100,000 inhabitants, Cuenca and Teruel lead the pack, while Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante have the most facilities per square kilometre.

The Region of Murcia stands out with a ratio of 31.24 stations per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 26. In terms of density, the Region is home to 0.043 stations per square kilometre, which is significantly higher than the Spanish average of 0.025.

The network of service stations in Spain has been growing, driven by the opening of independent facilities. From January to June 2024 alone, Murcia saw the addition of three new independent stations: one in San Javier, another in Lorca and a third in Molina de Segura.

“In the Region, another example, and twofold, is the installation, at the end of this year, of a Ballenoil petrol station in Murcia; specifically, on Avenida de Alicante, near Zarandona,” the report explained.

“It is not only independent, according to the CNMC classification, but it is also the sixth located in just one kilometre, which reflects another of the main characteristics of the service station network in the Region: the high density in the capital and its metropolitan area, on conventional roads such as the old N-340 and on the motorways that link with Alicante and Almería (A-7) and with Albacete (A-30); and in the areas of Lorca, Cartagena and the northern part of the Mar Menor, especially San Pedro del Pinatar and San Javier”.

A striking exception among the high-capacity roads is that there are no petrol stations on the A-33 motorway, which connects Blanca with Valencia.

The smaller, independent facilities now represent around 45% of the total filling stations in the Region, while the three main players (Repsol, Cepsa and BP) account for 44%. This is a significant shift from 2009, when independents held just 28% of the market share and the main operators 55%.

Just like the rest of Spain, self-service petrol stations have been growing in number since 2020, when their presence ballooned thanks in large part to the Covid pandemic.

As of June 30, 2024, self-service stations account for 13.3% of the total network, with the majority being completely unattended for more than 75% of their opening hours. In the first half of 2024, 217 new unattended stations were built.

The Association of Service Stations attributes the Region of Murcia's strong position to factors like the significant presence of road transport companies, the ease of obtaining operating licenses and the strategy of business groups to open “white label and low-cost” filling stations. These stations operate with higher margins and minimal staff, allowing for price reductions to customers.

However, the Region still has a low number of charging points for electric vehicles compared to the rest of Spain, and the ones that have been installed aren’t used all that much. According to the Association, the high cost of electric cars continues to be a barrier for most buyers.

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