How To Fuel Up Independently

Table of Contents

Fueling Up Experience

All cars need fuel and often can be refilled at a station. This is often an effortless process of turning up, opening the fuel cap and using the nozzle to refuel your vehicle. However, for many people like me who have disabilities, this can often be much harder and even impossible to do.

Today I will be talking about an amazing app and the challenges I have faced when fuelling up in the past as a disabled person. There will also be a little discussion on how technology might provide new ways to enable more independent fuelling up.

How I Fuel Up

Due to my physical needs making me unable to fuel up, this task is often carried out with the help of other people. Below are some of how I fuel up by utilising support and the common problems I face while trying to top up my car’s tank.

Relying On Others

Most commonly, I will go to the station with a family member, personal assistant or friend who will be able to assist me. The process is pretty much the same, they fuel up for me and I give them the money to pay for the fuel as simple as that.

Station Embarrassment

I don’t often fuel up myself unless but in exceptional circumstances, I may have to use the station independently. Whenever I’ve had to fuel up, I’ve always had to draw attention to myself to get support at the station. I would often have to press my horn, wave and flash my lights which as you can expect can get you some weird looks from others. In many cases, this has led to embarrassment and drawing the attention you don’t need.

FuelService

On researching alternative solutions to remove the need of drawing attention to myself, I came across an app called FuelService. FuelService is a simple service where you can get assistance at the fueling station by using a mobile app. It allows you to let staff know you require assistance at the pump without the embarrassment of honking, waving or flashing car lights to get help from an attendant.

How FuelService Works

The app works by you entering your location and in return, you will be shown different nearby stations. Once you find one near you, you select and drive to the station. Then when you arrive, let the station know your pump number and assistance will be on the way.

If using an app isn’t for you or isn’t available on your device, you can text in or call up to get assistance. This offers you multiple routes to contact the station to get the all-important fueling up completed and get yourself back on the road.

So how do you use the app? Well as described above, FuelService is very simple to use.

Download the app from your chosen app store, in most cases, this will be either the Apple App Store for iPhone or the Google Play Store for Android.
Once installed, open the app up on your phone.

Enter your fuel type and location, for example, if you live in London, enter London as your location. Now click the search button.

Select the station you would like to get assistance at.

Select Ask For Assistance and the station will know to expect you soon. Ideally, this should be done before you drive or after you arrive. Please don’t use your phone while driving.

Once you arrive, you will need to let the station know in the app you have arrived.
Entered your pump number and help should be on the way shortly.
Congratulations, you have successfully asked for help without needing to beep or flash your lights. Happy driving!

Unfortunately, I’ve not used this app at a station for a while hence why some screenshots aren’t present. More app screenshots will be added in the future for further clarity but the app is fairly easy to use overall.

App Experience

I’ve only used this app a couple of times but the process is very simple and efficient. On arriving I was introduced to very helpful and supportive staff who were able to fuel up my vehicle and get me back up to a full tank. Reviews can be left afterwards which help in ensuring the services stay friendly and accessible for all disabled drivers.

Automating the Process

Automated solutions are the ways forward for fueling options. Automation removes the risk of human error and can mostly make simple tasks more efficient. When considering newer technology for cars and electric car battery swapping technology being introduced, this is something we should expect to become the norm. It will also make fueling up more accessible to disabled drivers and remove the barriers of having to rely on others to fuel up for them.

Battery swapping technology like what NIO, the Chinese electric vehicle company can provide is the accessible way forward with fueling up / changing batteries in the future. In terms of accessibility, this would make it a lot easier for disabled people to fuel up independently and embarrassment free.

We would love to see similar infrastructure put in place at existing stations that enable disabled people to fuel up easily and hassle-free. This could be via automatic methods or through apps like FuelService which can make a solo trip to the station a lot easier and more efficient. What are your experiences with fueling up as a disabled driver? Tell us below!

Please also consider donating to my blog via the BuyMeACoffee button at the bottom of the page – all donations are highly appreciated and all funds go towards supporting what I do.