TotalEnergies has announced the sale of 1,600 of its European gas stations in a move that many consider the start of the crisis that this type of service station will suffer as a result of the rise of electric cars. The French company seeks with this to prepare for the ban on the sale of cars with internal combustion engines in the European Union from 2035.
The TotalEnergies gas stations will pass into the hands of the Canadian company Couche-Tard, specialized in food and fuel distribution. At the moment, all stations sold are located in Germany and the Netherlands. If approved by the authorities, the transaction will be completed throughout this year.
The French group, which aims to become a climate-neutral corporation by 2050, will maintain its electric recharging and fuel wholesale activities, hydrogen distribution and the gas station network AS24 for trucks.
In parallel, TotalEnergies will create a joint venture in Belgium and Luxembourg for share the management of another 619 gas stations. It is interesting to note that the 2,200 stations affected by this business restructuring will maintain the TotalEnergies brand as long as they continue to be supplied with its fuel (ie for the next five years).
TotalEnergies will restructure its business to adapt to the rapid evolution of the sector
The conglomerate has more than 17,000 service stations in Europe, an extensive network that will have to gradually adapt to the gradual electrification of the car park. By the year 2030, it foresees a 30% reduction in the sale of petroleum productswhich is why it is investing massively in renewable energy.
“With the Green Deal and its ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package, the European Union is realizing its ambition to be the first climate-neutral continent. In this context, the European Parliament has voted the end of the sales of thermal vehicles in Europe from 2035 […]. These important developments are prompting TotalEnergies to make decisions about the future of its networks in Europe, which will face a loss of fuel-related revenue, while electric vehicles will mostly recharge at home or at work and less on the go. seasons”.
A good example of the effort carried out by TotalEnergies in recent years to diversify its business can be found in the acquisition of the battery manufacturer Saft in 2016. Saft is currently part of the consortium ACC (Automotive Cells Company)to which Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis also belong, which aspires to become one of the leaders in the sector in the old continent.
