JEDDAH: The days of manual car washes at fuel stations and service centers could soon be over as Saudi municipalities have begun actively licensing and enforcing the transition to automatic car wash systems.
The Permanent Executive Committee for Fuel Stations and Service Centers at the Ministry of Energy says existing businesses can continue manual operations only until their current licenses expire, after which they must have automated systems in place to operate.
The move comes in the context of raising efficiency and the speed of the service, in addition to reducing water and energy consumption. The automated systems rely on recycling and quantity control technologies, which reduces waste and promotes sustainability, in addition to improving safety within stations and raising operational efficiency.
The decision represents the end of an era that began with the introduction of cars in the 1920s when washing was practiced in simple ways.
With the spread of cars in the 1950s and ’60s, hand-washing vehicles became an essential service, before transforming in the 1970s and ’80s into a widespread commercial activity within neighborhoods and gas stations.
The new step comes as part of the Kingdom’s strategy to improve public services and promote innovation in various sectors, while adhering to quality and safety standards, according to Majed Alshikhi, an automotive expert.
Alshikhi told Arab News: “It is an excellent decision regulating the car wash profession. The decision was made to improve the efficiency of operations within fuel stations, and reduce reliance on traditional methods that require significant human effort.
“(The move) contributes to enhancing sustainability and preserving resources, in addition to reducing the consumption of water and energy used in washing cars.”
He added that the step formed part of the Kingdom’s strategy to improve public services and promote innovation in various sectors, while adhering to quality and safety standards.
Speaking about the advantages of automated car washes, he added: “When it comes to convenience and saving time, automatic car wash techniques are the way to go.
“An automatic car-washing machine can wash a car in just three to five minutes. Just drive into the car wash, sit back and relax while the machine does all the work. It’s quick, easy, and hassle-free.
“There may be some downsides to the high price of automatic washing machines, as not every entrepreneur will be able to afford them due to their high cost, but hopefully manufacturers and importers will lower prices.”
However, he added that some people may miss their favorite hand-wash spots in the future, and said: “Many people were very disappointed to hear (of) the new regulation because they like to wash their cars the old-fashioned way. They like to pay close attention to areas that may be overlooked in an automated system, such as wheel wells, door jambs, and other hard-to-reach spots.
“In the end, the choice between automatic and manual car washes comes down to their personal preferences, driving habits, and the specific needs of their vehicle.”
Arab News visited a manual car wash in the Al-Rawdah district of Jeddah and met its supervisor Abdi Ahmed, who has been working in the same car wash for 10 years. He said the business had four existing months on its current license.
He said: “I have heard about the new regulation but I am not sure what will happen next. It is a big loss and many of our customers don’t support this new decision because they think the advanced technology will not be able to do as good as hands do.”
Arab News witnessed mixed reactions from car owners to the shift toward mandatory automatic.
Abdullah Al-Saeed, an employee at a telecommunications company, said: “For me, I have no patience to wait for a long time. Therefore, I prefer automatic car washing because an automatic car-washing machine can wash a car in just a few minutes while you are sitting inside your car. Moreover, the cleaning, care, waxing, polishing, coating, and drying of the vehicle can be done all at once.”
Mansour Al-Jehani, 38, pointed out that a hand-wash operation produced better results, and added: “Washing my cars is a necessity. So, I prefer a hand-wash because I have more control over how my car is washed, but I think it depends on who is washing it and how.
“A good hand-wash can reach places an automatic car wash can’t. An automatic car wash could damage the car, leaving scratches.”
Hussain bin Mahfouz, a banker, agreed with both opinions and noted that both strategies had advantages and drawbacks.
He said: “I use both methods and it all depends on my time and mood. Hand-washing takes more time and effort and it is part of my commitment to keep my car clean and shining. On the other hand, I like to use an automatic car wash for its efficiency, speed and ability to deliver consistent results.”
The market for car washing in Saudi Arabia is witnessing a rapid shift toward automated and mobile solutions.
The sector faces challenges related to water scarcity, with an estimated annual water deficit of about 3.5 billion cubic meters, making manual car washes one of the activities that places the most strain on resources.
