Manual car washes at fuel stations and service centres in Saudi Arabia are set to be phased out, as municipalities enforce a shift to automated systems.
The Permanent Executive Committee for Fuel Stations and Service Centers at the Ministry of Energy said businesses can continue manual operations only until their current licences expire, after which automated systems will be required.
The move aims to improve efficiency and service speed while reducing water and energy use. Automated systems rely on recycling and controlled consumption technologies, promoting sustainability and enhancing safety at stations.
The transition marks the end of a practice that dates back to the 1920s, evolving into a widespread commercial service by the 1970s and 1980s.
