Anil PatelAccording to IEA’s forecast in February, the global oil demand would grow by 825,000 barrels a day in 2020.
But the corona outbreak has changed the complete scene. With its severe impact, the global oil demand is now down around 90,000 barrels.
It has had happened because people and goods stopped moving around. As the lockdown lifted, things have got changed, and the people have started getting back to the track of pre-pandemic times while taking all the safety measures.
Still, in the new normal, due to the enormous spread of coronavirus, the people less preferring to move outside and especially visiting the fuel stations. Marching to fuel station involves high risk as the gasoline dispenser handle is touched by different people in a day, that’s where the people risk getting infected. This is why wearing gloves or using paper towels advised while touching gasoline pumps.
However, the fuel retailers are regularly cleaning and sanitizing the forecourt, but the risk exists that’s deterring the people visit the fuel stations.
That’s where the on-demand solution has emerged as a boon in the pandemic times. The on-demand model has helped people to get a variety of options and order from the comfort of the couch alongside maintaining social distancing and other disinfection practices.
The on-demand fuel delivery apps like- Booster, Cafu, and others have also taken a step forward to meet the essential fuel needs of the people under the corona crisis while following the regulations enforced by the nation’s governments.
Let’s see how the on-demand fuel delivery service providers cope up with corona:
Booster- the mobile fueling top honcho pioneers providing ‘no-touch’ fueling alternative in March 2020. The on-demand fueling service provider begins its contactless gas delivery services for both customers and business clients in Target store’s parking lot in San Mateo, California.
The company has created a unique website to serve the customers with fueling needs in a contactless way. The mini-tankers leveraged to provide tank refilling services to the customers ordered through the website while keeping up with cleaning and safety practices.
After successfully executing the mobile fueling services in three hours, the company set up more contactless gas stations in different cities of California at the parking lots of grocery stores, pharmacies, and others. The company boasts for not taking undue advantage of the crisis as the fuel is delivered at similar pricing of what the nearby fuel stations are charging.
The national governments have also made special efforts by changing the regulations to open a window for mobile fueling. For instance, the city council has amended the fire code to keep the provision of mobile fueling in Dallas. Booster takes the first-mover advantage and starts serving Dallas citizens.
Dubai-based fuel delivery service provider– Cafu revised its business model with the removal of delivery charges to adapt to the critical situations created by COVID-19. The free delivery model aimed to encourage the citizens to move around without needing to visit the fuel stations. The convenient, cost-efficient, and contactless delivery is a strategic move that the company has taken to avoid standing in long queues and pay no extra cost to get the tanks refilled.
Even the company has found the revised business model as an opportunity to increase the number of users because the marginal difference is witnessed in the usage of cars after the lockdown is lifted in March. The plan to use AI systems is underway to provide smart options along with a gamut of car services.
Takeaway
In combat with COVID-19, the on-demand business model has helped the people take a sigh of relief with all the essential things available. The on-demand fuel delivery app is no different. The leading players in the landscape have taken a bold step along with maintaining safety and regulatory measures to safely refill the vehicles at the place and time the people want.
Thanks to technology! It has helped the fuel delivery businesses on the wheels to meet the fuel needs of the people and businesses counting on wheels in a time of critical need.
What are your thoughts? Do you find the steps appreciable? Let us know your views in the comments below.
Himanshu Patel
Supriya Porwal
