On-Demand Gas Apps Let You Fill 'er Up by Phone

CARS.COM — In the "good ol' days" there were full-service gas stations where drivers could just pull in, trip the bell hose and sit tight while the attendant filled 'er up. Those for the most part gave way to self-serve stations, and now, in the Digital Age, there are on-demand gas apps.

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Silicon Valley startup Filld is one of several smartphone-based services that lets motorists get their tanks topped off without the pain of the pump. Founded nearly a year and a half ago in Mountain View, Calif., Filld operates under the tagline, "Never Stop for Gas Again." Service is still mostly limited to the greater Silicon Valley area with plans to expand elsewhere soon. Filld began serving drivers in San Francisco just this week.

Users simply download the Filld app on their phone, register, set a location within the designated service area, choose a convenient time and release their car's gas flap once the order is confirmed. Filld sends a pickup truck loaded with fuel to the customer's car, and fills it with regular or premium gas at prices comparable to stations in the area plus a delivery charge. The company says its gas is top quality from regularly cleaned tanks versus the "aging, corroded underground containers at gas stations."

"Customers can simply get on with their day while Filld takes care that their vehicle has a full tank of fuel and is ready for the road," the company said in a statement.

According to USA Today, Filld says it has thousands of customers in the 180 square miles around the Bay Area, and is most popular with minivan-driving parents. Filld isn't the only app in the on-demand gas game. It joins Booster Fuels, Purple, WeFuel and Yoshi in San Francisco, Los Angeles and elsewhere — all chasing after their piece of the $300 billion U.S. gas market by targeting time-deprived consumers and taking advantage of lower overhead and equipment costs.

But is it safe? USA Today reports that fire officials have expressed safety and legal concerns over trucks driving around carrying hundreds of gallons of gasoline. One company's operations were temporarily shut down recently as a result. Industry observers say it could be just another case where regulations need to catch up with tech-startup innovations.

On the safety issue, Filld insists it "adheres to local, state, and federal regulations to ensure the safe transport of fuel. Our drivers are highly trained and have commercial class C licenses, TSA [Transportation Security Administration] clearance, and hazmat certification."

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