Booster Fuels start-up offers no-touch fuel station to help limit virus spread

In the interest of social distancing and avoiding public facilities, a Silicon Valley startup is demonstrating its alternative to fuel pumps by offering a touchless, mobile fuel station.

Booster Fuels will deploy its "fuel station on wheels," a mini tanker that will park in one spot and offer fill-ups at prices comparable to traditional gas stations, the company says. All ordering and communication is done through Booster's special website and customers never have to leave their vehicles. After the customer is done fueling up, they receive a text and email receipt.

The service is for all consumers, and no memberships or apps are required, Booster says. According to the company, 71% of traditional gas pump handles have high levels of contamination, enough to spread illness.

Booster, which does much of its business filling up vehicles of workers in the parking lots of Silicon Valley corporations, says it plans on having more public fill-ups depending on how long the coronavirus shelter-at-home order continues.