Gulf unveils forecourt of the future concept
At Retail’s Best 2026, the famous brand revealed a vision of the forecourt of the future, centered around AI assistance and smart energy solutions.
Gulf has revealed a vision of the forecourt of the future for the UK market, centred on AI-powered assistance, automated energy delivery, and immersive in-store experiences, with the concept presented by Bryan Main, Managing Director of Certas UK Mobility, at the recent Retail's Best event.
The concept imagines a forecourt that responds to customers from the moment they arrive. Number plate recognition guides vehicles along ground-embedded lighting to pre-assigned bays, while pricing and energy information is projected directly onto windshields. Wireless EVOLO underfloor pads begin charging immediately, and self-connecting liquid energy nozzles rise from the ground to deliver petrol, diesel, and HVO without any manual attachment. Kinetic systems embedded in the forecourt capture energy from the movement of arriving vehicles and feed it back into the grid.
"Consumers increasingly expect connected, convenience-led experiences wherever they go," said Main. "The opportunity for forecourts is to rethink waiting time entirely – transforming it from dead time into valuable time."
Sustainability is built into the physical infrastructure: solar-panelled canopies feed wall-mounted battery storage, while green and blue water recycling systems supply the car wash and site operations. A patented underground wash completes in 30 seconds using high-pressure air jets and minimal water.
The Gulf Oomph app and AI personal assistant sit at the heart of the customer journey, recognising individuals by name, connecting to vehicle diagnostics ahead of arrival, and automating payment through Smart ID technology. On a demonstration run, the system identified tyre wear before the car pulled in and had replacements ready to fit during the stay.
Inside, the service station is reimagined as a travel lounge, with co-working spaces, meeting booths, and an augmented reality play zone for children that adapts in real time to age and movement. Vending machines adjust to individual buying habits, and food and essentials can be ordered through the app and delivered to the car.
