Independent forecourt retailers in parts of the UK are being encouraged to reduce their costs by signing up to a free solarPV electricity scheme which uses their canopies and shop roofs.

Harvest Energy has secured a five year motor fuel supply and branding agreement with WJ King (Garages) Ltd, which has eight forecourts stretching across South East London and North West Kent.

The Government was today warned about the serious consequences of their proposed Duty increases by Brian Madderson, RMI Petrol chairman. In his letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, he detailed concerns for the independent petrol retailing industry ahead of the Autumn Statement. Although the previous Government’s 'escalator' will be replaced by a 'fair fuel stabiliser', the precise mechanics of this new scheme have yet to be announced.

A new fuel brand has appeared on a Lancashire petrol forecourt, and is likely to appear on another 10 sites next year.

A decline in petrol and diesel sales coupled with the desire to reduce costs is forcing Europe’s fuel retailers to convert service stations to unmanned sites, finds Verdict, part of the Datamonitor group. By 2013, one in ten service stations across Europe won’t have any staff at the forecourt leaving motorists to pay for their fuel using automated payment technology.