WeFuel Launches 'Ultimate' On-Demand Gas Delivery

PALO ALTO, Calif. — On-demand gas delivery is in demand as more companies enter the field.

The latest startup to join the on-demand service pool is WeFuel. The Palo Alto-based company officially launched Tuesday, Jan. 26 in the "transportation transformation" marketplace.

Using the WeFuel mobile app, customers select their choice of fuel and choose their payment option. A professional WeFuel delivery truck will arrive within a half hour or less to fill their vehicle, according to the company.

Currently, the WeFuel app is available in the Apple Store. An Android version is slated to become available in the spring.

WeFuel is using only Department of Transportation-approved tanks and Weights and Measures-approved meters for dispensing fuel.  

The service is available in the Palo Alto and Menlo Park areas of California. However, WeFuel plans to expand to San Francisco by the summer and across the entire Bay Area by 2017. 

"Technology has transformed our lives, but we are buying gas the same way we did more than 100 years ago," said WeFuel co-founder and CEO Ale Donzis. "A new level of convenience is long overdue, but creating a connected platform to replace the gas station in a safe, secure and scalable fashion is not trivial. Our solution, which is executed perfectly from the start, features the highest standards for safety and customer service."

WeFuel is working on other developments, too. The company will introduce "WeFuel Driveo," a proprietary, Internet-enabled device that will allow a WeFuel technician to refuel any vehicle without the owner being present. According to the company, the patent-pending device will transmit the fuel tank level, identify the car's location and automatically open the fuel hatch.  

In addition, WeFuel plans to add common convenience store products, including snacks, to its app menu later this year.    

"We're pleased to share that WeFuel was recently accepted to StartX, Stanford University's nonprofit accelerator program," said WeFuel co-founder J.P. Freijo, from Stanford GSB. "We couldn't be more excited about the opportunity to be part of this esteemed and respected program as we look to grow WeFuel and become a major player in this emerging category."

As part of its commitment, WeFuel is only employing experienced drivers with commercial licenses and HAZMAT endorsements. The company is also requiring additional safety training for its drivers and hired Ronny Coleman, former California fire marshal and chief deputy director of forestry and fire protection for the State of California, as its safety advisor to develop internal safety codes.