Quick Read
- India’s petrol pump network surpassed 100,000 stations in 2025, doubling over the past decade.
- Petrol prices in India fluctuate daily, shaped by international crude rates, taxes, and currency changes.
- Most Irish petrol stations close on Christmas Day, with only select motorway outlets operating reduced hours.
Petrol stations, long regarded as the lifeline of modern mobility, are undergoing significant changes in 2025. From the bustling highways of India to the quiet towns of Ireland, the story of these ubiquitous outlets is shaped by price fluctuations, expansion strategies, and even the rhythms of holiday life. How do these factors converge to impact the everyday driver?
India’s Expanding Petrol Station Network
India now boasts over 100,000 petrol stations—a figure that has doubled since 2015. According to Deccan Herald, this explosive growth is driven by state-owned fuel retailers like Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), who have aggressively expanded into rural regions and along highways. With vehicle ownership booming, the demand for fuel access in remote and urban areas alike has skyrocketed.
IOC leads the pack with 41,664 stations, BPCL has 24,605, and HPCL 24,418. Private companies such as Nayara Energy, Reliance-BP, and Shell account for a growing portion of the market, yet government controls over pricing have kept their participation limited. Interestingly, rural outlets now make up nearly 29% of all stations—up from 22% a decade ago—reflecting a deliberate push to connect the nation’s farthest corners.
Yet, the rapid expansion has a flip side. The average throughput per station has dropped, and outlets on less-traveled routes face mounting financial pressure. Modern stations are diversifying, offering not only petrol and diesel but also alternative fuels like CNG and electric vehicle charging, marking the transition toward a more sustainable future.
Petrol Price Dynamics: A Daily Challenge
For Indian consumers, petrol prices are a daily concern. Hindustan Times reports prices in Patna at ₹105.53 per liter on December 24, 2025, with similar rates in cities like Mumbai (₹104.21), Chennai (₹100.85), and New Delhi (₹94.72). Prices fluctuate almost daily, reflecting changes in international crude oil benchmarks, currency exchange rates, and local taxes.
India imports about 80% of its oil, so global trends directly affect domestic prices. Factors like excise duty, VAT, dealer commissions, and transportation costs all contribute to the final price at the pump. Notably, petrol prices are reviewed daily but have not always strictly followed international trends since late 2021, as government intervention has dampened volatility.
Why do these prices matter so much? Petrol costs ripple through the economy, influencing transportation, production expenses, and ultimately, inflation. For consumers, savings can be found in efficient driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and loyalty programs at stations. The distinction between regular and premium petrol—higher octane for better engine performance—adds another layer of choice at the counter.
Holiday Hours: The Irish Perspective
While India’s petrol stations are almost always open, the situation is quite different in Ireland, especially during the Christmas period. As Irish Mirror outlines, most supermarkets and petrol stations close on Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day, with only a handful of motorway stations and convenience stores operating on reduced schedules.
Supermarkets like Dunnes, Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, and SuperValu typically shut their doors, leaving last-minute shoppers scrambling for alternatives. Petrol stations, crucial for holiday travelers, may remain open along major routes but usually with limited hours. The advice is clear: check local station schedules in advance or risk being stranded on a day when family gatherings and celebrations take priority over commerce.
This contrast between countries underscores how culture, infrastructure, and tradition shape access to essential services. In India, the relentless pace of travel and commerce demands near-constant availability, while in Ireland, holidays are protected as times for rest and connection, even at the cost of convenience.
Global Context: Comparing Networks
Globally, India’s petrol station network ranks third, trailing only the United States and China. The US, with its vast geography, reportedly hosts around 196,643 retail gas stations. China follows with about 115,228 outlets, according to industry reports, with Sinopec operating more than 30,000 stations. These numbers reflect not just the scale of demand, but also the economic and policy factors driving each market’s growth.
The evolution of petrol stations is far from complete. Technological advances, alternative fuels, and shifting consumer habits are pushing these outlets to adapt. Yet, the basic challenge remains: how to deliver reliable, affordable fuel to millions, day in and day out, even as the world transitions toward cleaner energy and new mobility patterns.
The story of petrol stations in 2025 is one of adaptation—balancing tradition and innovation, daily necessity and holiday respite. As India expands and diversifies its network, and Ireland honors its festive closures, the humble petrol station stands as both a symbol of progress and a reminder of the rhythms that shape our journeys.