GS envisions Koreans pumping their own gas

Gas company opens eco-friendly self-service stations

GS Caltex Corp., the country's second largest oil company, said that it has opened eco-friendly gas stations at three locations in the Seoul metropolitan area.

In addition, the so-called "self oil stations" - named so because customers pump their own gas, whereas at all current stations in Korea an attendent pumps the fuel - plan to provide oil at prices up to 100 won (US$0.10) per liter cheaper than regular stations. In 2002, when GS first introduced these special stations, the price break they offered compared to ordinary stations was only 30 won per liter. The other stations followed suit by lowering their prices, and the GS "self oil stations" failed. Considering this, GS has widened the price difference for their relaunch.

The stations are designed to be ergonomic as well as eco-friendly. GS has attached a device to the gas nozzle to eliminate the petroleum odor when customers are pumping fuel. In addition, the stations are decorated elegantly, to attract more GS plans to make "self oil stations" 30 percent of its managed stations.

The industry, however, is skeptical, predicting that most customers will not opt to pump their own fuel in order to save a little bit of money.

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