Where to find the cheapest fuel? It's almost here...

[snowwolf]

Mods, please feel free to move this to another section or let me know if it needs to get removed.

So I had the idea whilst doing a roadtrip across SA that we need a platform for finding the cheapest and nearest filling station. And so a project was born...

I've started (and almost completed) the initial phase of this new platform, tentatively named: FuelDir (If you can't understand why, then I've failed before I've begun!)

What it does is:

Uses your geolocation to find the nearest filling stations to you
You can also do a search on a specific city/suburb
Gives you information of that station (Hours, Fuel Price (Petrol & Diesel), Specials, Images, Addresses)
Provides you with driving directions to get there.
You can also do a search based on your preferred brand of fuel

I've temporarily put it on hold as I am in the process of writing exams, but will be picking it up again next week.
I'm hoping to launch it by the end of the year, if the testing goes according to plan.

The website is responsive and works brilliantly on mobile devices (I've tested on iPhone 4s/5/5s/6, Note2,Note4,S4, iPad2, iPad3).

I am in the process of developing an app for iOS and Android, and that will follow the launch.

For now though I can tell you this... this need has been a long time coming for many people... and I'm hoping that I can make many people happy by doing this

www.fueldir.com

 

[snowwolf]

Oh and btw - it's going to be free to use & download...

 

[KleinBoontjie]

Good idea

 

[OMB]

Don't keep me waiting too long...

 

[noob_saibot]

Are you doing this as a commercial project?

I think most of the GPS tools have this already and so does Google Maps, but it will be a great way to learn about using map APIs, etc.

Also, I'm not sure if this applies to your kind of openly-accessible project, but you should be running a "beta" and collecting emails to invite users to test the product.

Otherwise most of your landing page visits will be 'wasted'.

Good luck.

 

[snowwolf]

Don't keep me waiting too long...

I definitely wont

 

[grim]

The petrol price is regulated, if one station is charging more than another station they are breaking the law and should be reported to SAPIA with proof.

Diesel prices can vary slightly though.

 

[snowwolf]

Are you doing this as a commercial project?

I think most of the GPS tools have this already and so does Google Maps, but it will be a great way to learn about using map APIs, etc.

Also, I'm not sure if this applies to your kind of openly-accessible project, but you should be running a "beta" and collecting emails to invite users to test the product.

Otherwise most of your landing page visits will be 'wasted'.

Good luck.

I'm looking at making it commercial yes. There's a big need for it and a bigger opportunity for filling stations to attract customers. But I want to get it out there first and then explore the commercial side of it.

Regarding the "Beta" - That is part of the project pipeline and I will be opening it up for users, as soon as I am confident enough in the platform. MyBB users will have first dibs at it!

 

[snowwolf]

The petrol price is regulated, if one station is charging more than another station they are breaking the law and should be reported to SAPIA with proof.

Diesel prices can vary slightly though.

Yes I am aware, but it still helps to keep the customer / user informed IMO, especially price variances at the coast and inland.

Thanks though for the heads up!

 

[KleinBoontjie]

The petrol price is regulated, if one station is charging more than another station they are breaking the law and should be reported to SAPIA with proof.

Diesel prices can vary slightly though.

That's funny though, I could've sworn that the petrol price at Shell Ultra city close to me on the N1, is higher than BP and Shell in town.

 

[snowwolf]

I think most of the GPS tools have this already and so does Google Maps, but it will be a great way to learn about using map APIs, etc.

I forgot to mention: I saw the biggest need for this as something that is quickly accessible from your smart device (not everyone has a GPS device or app) and also something that can give you an indicator of diesel prices and grades available.

 

[OMB]

The petrol price is regulated, if one station is charging more than another station they are breaking the law and should be reported to SAPIA with proof.

Diesel prices can vary slightly though.

Diesel prices vary a bit more than slightly, finding the right garage with the right price can give decent savings.

 

[noob_saibot]

I forgot to mention: I saw the biggest need for this as something that is quickly accessible from your smart device (not everyone has a GPS device or app) and also something that can give you an indicator of diesel prices and grades available.

I also mentioned Google Maps there.

If you are using their API, make sure you aren't violating their terms, as I recall seeing filling station icons when browsing through their maps (which likely means it is on the mobile version too).

Still a great idea though and many people will use it.

 

[c3n0byt3]

How do you retrieve the fuel prices?

 

[Colin62]

How do you retrieve the fuel prices?

Well, the petrol prices are all the same, so there's no need really.

 

[OMB]

Well, the petrol prices are all the same, so there's no need really.

diesel pricing is the issue, it'll probably have to be community driven and allow for users to upload diesel prices at the relevant petrol station?

 

[ttygt]

Wishlist: App that uses your GPS location, and then indicates nearest filling station, + distance and basic direction.

Wished for this when on vacation, with weak 3G signal, needing to guestimate where filling stations maybe.
It takes a long time to get Google maps or Ndrive going, and searching for stations.
Would be nice to whip out my Android phone, engage GPS, pull up this Fillingstation app, and get immediate idea of how far to a station.

Or has it been done?

 

[snowwolf]

Wishlist: App that uses your GPS location, and then indicates nearest filling station, + distance and basic direction.

Wished for this when on vacation, with weak 3G signal, needing to guestimate where filling stations maybe.
It takes a long time to get Google maps or Ndrive going, and searching for stations.
Would be nice to whip out my Android phone, engage GPS, pull up this Fillingstation app, and get immediate idea of how far to a station.

Or has it been done?

Please read my initial post. Already built into the website already and will be a function of the app also.

Uses your geolocation to find the nearest filling stations to you
You can also do a search on a specific city/suburb
Gives you information of that station (Hours, Fuel Price (Petrol & Diesel), Specials, Images, Addresses)
Provides you with driving directions to get there.
You can also do a search based on your preferred brand of fuel

 

[snowwolf]

diesel pricing is the issue, it'll probably have to be community driven and allow for users to upload diesel prices at the relevant petrol station?

Yes and no. I'm exploring the options of this. Will keep everyone updated on how this will work during the Beta and release.

 

[ttygt]

Please read my initial post. Already built into the website already and will be a function of the app also.

Uses your geolocation to find the nearest filling stations to you
You can also do a search on a specific city/suburb
Gives you information of that station (Hours, Fuel Price (Petrol & Diesel), Specials, Images, Addresses)
Provides you with driving directions to get there.
You can also do a search based on your preferred brand of fuel

My bad.

I obviously read your post, and went immediately to your site(which was down), and then started thinking about how useful this will be as an app.

Only now do I see you plan to make app for android as well.
What you plan is exactly what I wished for.
Thankyou.

Good luck with the exams!