In the 25 years since taking over the family petrol station, Reginald Raynor has made some changes.

Modernising Rubis Raynor’s in Southampton, he has built a second storey, introduced computers and added a retail element.

The one thing he has no plans for is electric-vehicle charging.

“That would be like catering to the competition,” Mr Raynor joked.

He is deeply sceptical of the Government’s goal to have 100 per cent electric-vehicle sales by 2030 as part of a broader initiative to transition away from petrol and diesel cars.

First, he doubts the reliability of EVs.

“Once the public get to know about electric cars, they will realise that people have a lot of trouble with them,” Mr Raynor said. “When it rains in town, there are quite a number of electric buses that go out.”

He said the batteries in EVs are also expensive to replace.

Mr Raynor has spoken to a government minister about his concerns.

“I said, what are you trying to do, put the gas agents out of business?” he said. “He said no, no, when EVs come into play, there will be plenty of money for you to make.”

The veteran entrepreneur believes people should have a choice about what type of car they use.

“When you deny the public the opportunity to have a gasoline vehicle, you would have a good case for calling that a dictatorship,” he said. “People should have the right to choose.”

He also questions whether Bermuda could even be ready to switch completely to EV sales by 2030.

The service station was started by Mr Raynor’s parents, Reginald and Lucetta Raynor, in 1958. Mr Raynor was four years old when his parents opened.

Over the years, the Raynors have never been afraid to go against the grain to uphold their principles.

The business still closes on Sundays.

“The body needs a rest,” Mr Raynor said.

Just like his parents, he refuses to sell alcohol or cigarettes.

“This is a Christian gas station,” he said. “Sometimes customers complain about it, and we tell them we do not sell cigarettes because we want to do business with them for a long time. We do not want them to get cancer from something we have sold them. A friend of mine once said, if the Lord wanted you to smoke, he would have put a chimney on the top of your head.”

Despite these policies it has won awards for customer service, beating out stations that did sell cigarettes and open all week long.

Today, Raynor’s is one of the longest-running, family-owned petrol stations on the island.

Mr Raynor said when he took over in 2000, there was some negativity, with people questioning whether he would stick with it.

“Some people made discouraging remarks saying I would not last,” he said. “I thank God that I have carried on with my parents’ legacy. We have not only survived, but have pushed ahead.”

These days people are always asking Mr Raynor when he will retire.

“I am in constant prayer about it, and waiting as the Lord directs me.”