Just for fun, I asked Gemini about the practicalities of early motoring....
You said
When people first starting using motor cars in the UK, where did they buy petrol and how far could the car go between fuel stops?
Gemini said
It’s hard to imagine now, but in the earliest days of motoring (the late 1890s and early 1900s), there wasn't a "petrol station" in sight. Buying fuel was more like a trip to the pharmacy than a pit stop at a BP.
Here is how the pioneers of the road kept their horseless carriages moving.
Where Did They Buy Petrol?
Before the first dedicated filling station opened in the UK (which didn't happen until 1919 in Aldermaston), motorists had to be resourceful.
The Local Chemist: Since petrol was originally sold as a cleaning solvent or a treatment for head lice, you bought it at the apothecary or chemist. It was sold in two-gallon triangular cans (often called "Pratts" or "Shell" cans).
Ironmongers and Hotels: As cars became slightly more common, blacksmiths, ironmongers, and even upscale hotels began stocking these two-gallon tins in their stables or outbuildings.
The "Pour and Pray": There were no pumps. You had to use a funnel with a chamois leather filter (to strain out debris and water) and manually pour the heavy cans into the tank—usually while wearing leather gloves and trying not to splash your tweed suit.
Range and Efficiency
The distance a car could travel between "fuel stops" was often dictated more by the availability of shops than the size of the fuel tank.
Feature
Early Edwardian Reality (Approx. 1900–1905)
Fuel Tank Capacity
Usually 4 to 10 gallons.
Fuel Economy
Surprisingly decent, often 20–30 mpg, because the cars were very light and moved very slowly.
Average Range
Theoretically 80–150 miles, but practically much shorter.
The "Range Anxiety" of 1900
While a car could go 100 miles on a tank, early motorists rarely risked it for a few reasons:
Reliability: You were more likely to suffer a mechanical breakdown or a puncture than to run out of fuel.
Scarcity: If you left a major town, you had no guarantee the next village chemist would have petrol in stock. Motorists often sent crates of fuel ahead by rail to their destination to ensure they could get home.
The "Red Flag" Legacy: Until 1896, the law required a person to walk in front of the car. Even after that was abolished, speeds were generally capped at 20 mph, making a 100-mile trip an exhausting, all-day marathon.
Moving around back then required more logistics than a modern space launch!