Key takeaways
- Fuel delivery apps save customers time and money, making the refueling process more convenient and accessible in emergencies.
- Any on-demand fuel delivery app will have 3 user roles: the customer, the admin, and the courier. Each part requires detailed research and thorough preparation.
- When getting your fuel delivery platform off the ground, the most cost-effective way to test the idea and learn about your target customers is an MVP (minimum viable product).
What is an on-demand fuel delivery app
A fuel delivery app is a mobile platform that helps you get gas purchased and delivered right to your vehicle whenever it needs refueling.
Fuel delivery apps have emerged as a convenient solution for those who live in big cities, have busy lives, and value their time. They’ve become especially popular among the young generations.
Most millennials and Zoomers prefer to buy essentials online. Groceries, clothes, electronics, skincare, and even gas — according to the Onfleet report, 55% to 60% of young Americans have more delivery apps than streaming services on their smartphones.The revenue of the fuel delivery market has seen steady growth over the past year and is expected to reach $9.3 billion by 2032.
How does a fuel delivery app work
The user flow of a fuel delivery app is very simple. We broke it down into 4 steps:
1️⃣ A user signs up for the fuel delivery app and sets up the profile by sharing the delivery address and linking the preferred payment method.
2️⃣ The user chooses the kind of fuel and the delivery time window (usually, it’s a 4-hour window).
3️⃣ The user places the order, pays, and unlocks the opportunity to track fuel delivery.
4️⃣ The delivery comes and fills up the car. Well done!
Popular examples of fuel delivery apps
There are many successful companies in the fuel delivery market. We chose 3 successful platforms to give you an overview of future competitors.
EZFill’s logo, orange letters “E” and “Z” connected, and the brand name in bold gray letters
The app welcomes users with a quick sign-up screen with a short questionnaire to screen out users from other states. The first question is about the location since the app is only available in a very limited area. The second question is about the parking spot to make sure couriers would be able to access the vehicle.
The sign-up process for the EZFill app
The interface uses bright, high-contrast colors in keeping with the signature palette of the company. Overall, the design of this fuel delivery app is quite minimalistic and simple, yet recognizable and on-brand with the distinguishing characteristics of this fuel delivery business.
Yoshi
Yoshi’s logo
Yoshi is another fuel delivery app from the United States. Their business model is quite different from the competitors: the company offers not only contactless gas delivery to your doorstep but also car washes, oil changes, and vehicle service on the spot. Users can choose to purchase a subscription or pay for each delivery individually.
The list of services Yoshi offers
The app has a modern and clean design, with a simple color scheme of blue, white, and gray. In the interface, Yoshi designers used a lot of visual elements, such as icons and illustrations, to make the content more descriptive and engaging. White space creates a sense of clarity and simplicity, making the process of ordering gas hassle-free.
Cafu
Cafu’s logo
Cafu is a 24/7 on-demand fuel delivery app from the United Arab Emirates. The company covers vehicles parked outdoors in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain and boats stored at selected marinas.
Cafu offers services similar to Yoshi: refueling, car washes, oil and tire changes, battery checks, and emergency maintenance.
The main screen of the Cafu app
The benefits of fuel delivery apps for users
The demand in the fuel delivery business is justified. In big cities, such services can be a savior for busy customers with jam-packed schedules. In short, a fuel delivery app:
- Saves time. Customers don’t need to drive to a gas station, sit in traffic during peak hours, or wait in line to pay.
- Makes refueling convenient. Gas gets delivered right to the vehicle at any time, and most apps offer contactless refueling. Customers can park their cars, run errands, go shopping, or take part in business meetings while the crew delivers the fuel.
- Saves money. Many fuel delivery businesses offer deferred payments and various payment plans for refueling. On top of that, customers get personalized discounts and promotions in the app.
- Helps in emergencies. If you are running out of gas on a highway and realizing that your fuel level is too low to make it to the gas station, a fuel delivery app is your best solution.
The key features of a fuel delivery app
Any on-demand fuel delivery app will have three user roles: the customer, the admin, and the courier. In this article, we will focus on the customer side. As the most complex part, it requires detailed research and will ultimately generate the most revenue.
Let’s talk about features we recommend paying close attention to when you develop a fuel delivery app.
📝 Signup and login page
The signup page is like the first page of a book. It creates the first impression and helps users decide if they want to keep going.
Firstly, the page should have a clean look and a simple, easy-to-understand layout. Users should be able to quickly find the login, sign up, and forgot password buttons.
Secondly, the registration form should be short and simple. Ask only for the necessary information: the phone number, name, and delivery address. To make it easier for users to sign up and log in, you can add integration with social media platforms such as Facebook or Google.
EZFill’s login page
📊 Dashboard
The goal of a dashboard is to present data. For example, car info, license plates, current gas prices, promotions, and other details. If you don’t want to overwhelm the user, a neat and intuitive presentation is a must.
In the fuel delivery business, you need to decide what information you want to put on a dashboard and how you want to prioritize it. Take a look at how Yoshi did it:
Yoshi’s dashboard is a good example of a layout for a fuel delivery app
🚙 Delivery set up and tracking
This feature allows customers to set the precise location of a vehicle, track their delivery in real time, and see when the courier is approaching their location.
The delivery tracking feature for an on-demand fuel delivery app should have real-time updates on the delivery status and driver location, an interactive map, push notifications, and a delivery history feature. Also, don’t forget about customer support for any issues or questions about your fuel delivery business.
Yoshi lets users add notes for the courier to help them find the car
💰 Cart with payment options
When it comes to money, no one likes secrecy and hidden costs. The cart page should have a clear layout, allowing customers to easily see the amount and type of fuel they chose and the total price, including applicable taxes or fees.
To serve a wide range of customers, we recommend integrating several payment options, such as credit cards, debit cards, or mobile wallets, like Apple Pay. A good fuel delivery app should also provide customers with the option to save their payment information for future orders.
Unfortunately, Yoshi only offers credit card payments. If you’re in a hurry, it’s not convenient to put out your wallet and type in all the info
🧾 Invoice generator
Maybe this feature is beyond basic functionalities, but it is very nice to have. Many companies reimburse employees for gas, and an invoice generator will help users get a purchase confirmation to get their money back.
Required technology stack for developing a fuel delivery mobile app
To develop a fuel delivery app, make it scalable, and protect user data, you will need a diverse technology stack and likely combine tools. Here’s a quick rundown of tools and services you might use:
At Purrweb, we prefer to work with JavaScript frameworks. Below, you can find the details about the tech stack that we have used and mastered during 300+ projects:
| Back-end | Node.js, JavaScript | Provides developers with a scalable and efficient backend architecture |
| Front-end (web) | React Js | Has a big library that provides developers with the ability to create reusable and native-like UI components |
| Front-end (mobile) | React Native | Saves around 30% on cross-platform (iOS + Android) development costs. |
| Infrastructure | AWS, Heroku | Provides a scalable infrastructure for hosting the app and offers a range of features, such as automatic scaling and continuous integration |
| Database | PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis | Combinе different databases can be used to store data and ensure maximum protection |
| Real-time messaging | WEBRTC | Can be used for implementing real-time communication features such as chats and audio calls |
7 steps on how to develop a fuel delivery app
When getting your fuel delivery platform off the ground, the most cost-effective way to test the idea and learn about your target customers is an MVP (minimum viable product). Building an MVP allows you to avoid a product with features that customers won’t care about.
Here, we outline the major steps of developing an MVP and some considerations to make at each stage.
Step 1: Formulate a feasible idea for your fuel delivery business
Before you get into fuel delivery app development, spend some time planning the process. When you intend to invest money, time, and energy in a company, the idea should be bulletproof and cover the needs of your target audience. In the beginning, spend time clarifying your idea and wording your hypothesis — this information will be helpful in the future.
Step 2: Research the market and analyze the competitors
There are many companies in the fuel delivery business across the world. Before you start planning the solutions, you need to know what your competitors offer and how you can stand out.
Step 3: Get a fuel delivery license
To sell fuel, you need to comply with local laws and usually obtain special permission. The procedure depends on the country you operate in. For example, if you plan to work in Texas, in the United States, you need to obtain a Fuels Tax License and a fuel tax bond in an appropriate amount, depending on the type of fuel you operate with.
Step 4: Find reliable and experienced developers
When you have a unique, solid idea and know your customers well, success lives in small details: smart onboarding, intuitive and logical UX, seamless user flow, and lack of major bugs. To execute it, you will need to choose a contractor wisely and give preference to someone with experience in fuel delivery app development.
Step 5: Develop and test the MVP
Before dumping your budget into fuel delivery app development, we recommend testing the waters with an MVP, as it might end up not being relevant. It’s the first fully functioning version with limited functionality that is just enough for a user to solve their problem and provide feedback.
Step 6: Improve and deploy
After you get feedback from the first users, it’s time to sit down, analyze the data, and find room for improvements. Some businesses just make minor fixes and launch, while others decide to revisit the whole fuel delivery app development process and pivot a startup in a new direction.
Step 7: Support after launch
Developers’ jobs don’t end with the final release. To stay relevant and in demand, you need to regularly maintain the app, release updates, and check for bugs. Many software companies offer post-launch support services, but you can also hire in-house developers to do the job.
Time and costs in fuel delivery app development
How much does it cost to develop a fuel delivery app? Here is what budget you approximately need to set for the development.
🚨 Disclaimer: This is our estimation for an average-complexity fuel delivery app development created at Purrweb. We don’t guarantee other companies have the exact costs or timelines.
| Type of service | Description | Timeframe | Costs |
| Planning | We meet up, discuss your idea, and plan the development | 1 week | $0 |
| UI/UX Design | We create several ideas for the screens and present the mock-ups to you. The last word is always yours, but we’ll be happy to give you some advice | 120 hours | $5,400 |
| Front-end Development | We work on everything that the user sees on the screen | 700 hours | $31,500 |
| Back-end Development | We define the business logic, set up servers, and implement all features | 800 hours | $36,000 |
| Project Management | We oversee the project, appoint responsible team members, control deadlines, and communicate with you | Alongside the development | $8,250 |
| Optional: Post-launch Maintenance | We help you release updates, scale up, and adjust the features based on users’ feedback | After the release | from $1050 |
Overall, to develop a fuel delivery app, you will need from $80,000 to $90,000. On average, it will take around 4 months.
Final thoughts
Creating an on-demand fuel delivery app is not an easy task, and there are many factors you need to consider in order to succeed. But everything is possible with experienced and reliable developers with relevant knowledge of the fuel delivery business and necessary hard technological skills.
About us
Purrweb is a team of over 190 experts with experience in many niches, from fuel delivery app development to healthcare and IoT. We develop web and mobile applications to help entrepreneurs from all over the world validate business hypotheses. At Purrweb, we take a UX-driven approach and focus on analytics to create a high-value MVP that you can share with investors and users.
