[fishhawk]

Saw on the 6:00 news that a company called Yoshi will bring gas to you so you don't have to go to the gas station. $20/mo and the gas is priced at AAA prices.
https://www.startyoshi.com

I watched in disbelief. It proves the point people hate to go to gas stations, but there is a much better solution: a Chevy Volt!

 

[freshcut]

WOW. Can people get any more lazy?!? I'm all for having services like this for emergencies, but to be so lazy as to pay for a service to avoid going to the gas station seems ridiculous. I actually find pleasure in some of these tasks to a degree in that it gets me out of the normal routine. I get that there are some people who have so much going on in their life that they have difficulty finding time to do basic things such as taking the dog to the groomer, washing the car, or other services where they come to you. There comes a time where people need to stop for a minute and actually enjoy life for a bit. Not to say that some of these services aren't needed as I realize the elderly and disabled may have difficulty in which I'm all for having these services available for those who can't, but if your capable of driving, I see no reason to pay someone to come put gas in your car because you don't want to spend 10 minutes doing it yourself.

 

[llninja]

I was shocked 2 decades ago when peapod appeared in Chicagoland for poeple too lazy to shop for groceries. I can't believe they are still in business. So hospital stands a chance amongst people with disposable income.

 

[Sean-a-Tron]

Wow. That's amazing. Especially considering that a lot of people drive by gas stations on their way to work.

 

[Bacardi]

There have been a few around (purple, filled) for a couple of years in L.A....I've never used them, but they appeared to be of an "on demand" fill vs subscription...Assuming the price is truly competitive, $20/mo really isn't that bad ($5/week) to top off fuel and automate the whole process...Most women used to hate gas stations, now from what I've noticed 90% pump, get back in the car and play with their phones...Makes a great gift for them, though...

 

[KenC]

For my mom, when she drove, she'd like a service like that, since she didn't like to get out and pump gas. She will go out of her way to find a Full Service gas station, rather than have to pump gas, so yeah, Yoshi has a niche market.

And, $20 a month is not much. A typical car need about 1 visit a week, or 4 visits a month, so $5 a visit. That saves you the time to find a pump and fill the tank, probably 15 mins, so, $5 for 15 mins of your time, sure, why not.

 

[srmarti]

I don't even get gas once a month or even spend $20/month on gas. Your time is only that valuable if someone was actually willing to pay for that time you would spend going to the gas station. Looking at it another way, if I did fill up once a week, this would add 20% per month to the cost of filling up.

 

[BAZINGA]

What's even more bizarre is that gas stations might be where EV charging stations start popping up, isn't Tesla and Sheetz installing some Tesla Super Chargers along the east coast?

 

[trm2]

I could see where this could come in handy. I mean, I did just put gas in my car in July. But really, someone trying to quit smoking could avoid the purchase point doing this. Many people buy cigarettes at gas stations because they are always there on your way home.

 

[Bacardi]

What's even more bizarre is that gas stations might be where EV charging stations start popping up, isn't Tesla and Sheetz installing some Tesla Super Chargers along the east coast?

Yes; Sheetz is extremely unique and isn't just a typical gas station...In PA most gas stations cannot sell beer but Sheetz can, they also have a made to order restaurant, yet it's still a head scratcher since Sheetz offers everything in the name of convenience...

 

[Barry]

I know a couple where the wife apparently dislikes going to the gas station so much that once a week, or whenever necessary, the husband will take her car to the gas station, fill it up and drive it straight back home for her. My wife has hinted that we should do that also (no luck so far). I could see a market for that service.

The thing I wonder is how they know when you need a fill up. Is it on a set schedule or can you easily ping them when you are low? What if you suddenly need to run an errand when they are about to show up? I don't really need another thing to have to wait around for, like getting the cable guy out. Seems like a solution that comes with its own set of hassles.

 

[DrMiguelitoLoveless]

Well, I can see a service like this being useful to the disabled. Getting gas for your car when you have mobility issues can be a royal pain. "Full service" stations pretty much don't exist in my neck of the woods (NC). So, having someone come out and fill your car would be one less headache.

Though that brings up the question of EV's for the disabled. Currently there are no vans except the Pacifica (which is VERY pricey) and the only EV I have seen that is easy to get in and out of has been the Leaf or the Tesla X (WAY expensive). Which brings up a very interesting topic I will now start a thread on.

 

[fishhawk]

I can see there is value to certain folks, especially those with mobility issues. See a need, fill a need.

I guess what got me is it seems like such an overkill solution. Even more so when the guy being interviewed said how Yoshi was much more efficient than going to a gas station, and that they were more environmentally conscious because they didn't have tanks in the ground like gas stations do. It just didn't add up for me.

Seems like I'm spoiled from driving my Volt for almost 6 years.

 

[Raymondjram]

And, $20 a month is not much. A typical car need about 1 visit a week, or 4 visits a month, so $5 a visit. That saves you the time to find a pump and fill the tank, probably 15 mins, so, $5 for 15 mins of your time, sure, why not.

I only have a 2009 Chevy Equinox but I spend less than $20 a month in gasoline. And my gas station is about 300 feet away (I can see it when I stand on the roof of my home). So I can literally walk to the station and back if I needed gasoline.

This Yoshi is a service for lazy people!!

 

[Raymondjram]

Though that brings up the question of EV's for the disabled. Currently there are no vans except the Pacifica (which is VERY pricey) and the only EV I have seen that is easy to get in and out of has been the Leaf or the Tesla X (WAY expensive). Which brings up a very interesting topic I will now start a thread on.

Try the new 2017 Chevy Bolt EV. The ride height is greater than the Leaf or Volt, and the seat height is also better. The rear floor is flat from door to door (no sills or hump), and the seat is a flat bench type so sliding across is easier. Same for the front seats (no door sills to climb over).

 

[JStrnad]

We have food delivered to our houses, meals, all the stuff we order from Amazon... why not gasoline? It's a convenience and if you can pay for it, why not?

My wife really hates to go to the gas station. The Costco station is always a nightmare and some of the smaller stations are even worse with traffic coming from two directions and colliding at the pumps. Luckily she has a person who fills up her car for her... me. Whenever I have to drive her car, the first thing I do is check the fuel gauge, which is usually flashing at me.

Gas stations have taken the path of the airlines, competing on price by slashing services so that people hate to use either one anymore.

 

[bjrosen]

It's not as silly as you think. Gas stations are disappearing from major cities because the land is too valuable to waste on a low margin business like a gas station. The Boston Globe had a story about it last week. The number of gas stations in MA has dropped by about 14% in the last few years, the big drop is in Boston where there are now almost no stations. They gave the example of a gas station on Beacon Hill which was on a 1/2 acre of lot, the land was sold for $19M. If you lived in Boston and you could get an EVSE installed in your parking spot life would actually be easier with and EV instead of an ICE car, but most people don't have dedicated spaces, for them an gas deliver service would be a great idea.

 

[Coppersnowboarder]

If Americans view their automobiles as the replacement for a servant with a horse carriage, then for those unfamiliar with transportation technology, a specialized person to fuel a vehicle is sensible. The specialized fueler could also conduct a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle, adding fluids, checking tire pressure, evaluating the maintenance schedule, helping to ensure that a vehicle is safe and ready for travel. However, I think that this service is appropriate for a very small segment of the population. Since I inspect and prepare several vehicles every day, I would not be willing to pay an hour's wages in exchange for the two gallons of gasoline that I use in my Volt once a month.

 

[fishhawk]

Funny that years ago gas stations had full service attendants so you didn't have to do the dirty stuff. They were eliminated to reduce costs, especially as gas prices started climbing. Looks like we are coming somewhat full circle, as Yoshi will also replace wiper blades and clean your windows, among other things.

 

[jcanoe]

CNet Roadshow had a video on a similar service in the Bay Area (for now) called FILLD. https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/videos/road-to-the-future-getting-gas-delivered-to-your-car/

A few luxury automobiles, i.e Bentley Motors, now offer a valet refueling mode where the refueling service can remotely unlock just the refueling access door to enable the vehicle to be refueled without requiring any action by the vehicle owner beyond parking the vehicle in a refueling accessible location. You still would have to park outside as refueling while parked inside a garage is not generally allowed.