KAPOLEI, Hawaii — Another fuel retailer is offering full-service fueling to alleviate customers’ coronavirus fears, but this time with a mobile payment twist.
Island Energy Services Retail LLC (IES), which has 57 Texaco-branded gas stations as well as fuel distribution and storage infrastructure throughout the state of Hawaii, has been piloting touch-free fueling at three of its sites since April. At the stores, located on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii, the retailer has dedicated lanes where customers can drive up and have attendants select their preferred grade and fuel up their vehicles. Customers pay for the fuel purchase through the Texaco mobile app. The attendants can also help the elderly or high-risk individuals complete the transaction.
The retailer is piloting the service from April 22 to May 15, and it may extend it depending on the results.
“The Texaco mobile app allows customers to pay for their fuel purchase without leaving their vehicle. Our friendly staff will handle the rest,” said Albert Chee, vice president of retail and community relations for IES, Kapolei, Hawaii.
IES, a Texaco licensee and former refiner, joins chains on the U.S. mainland such as Kum & Go and Hy-Vee in offering full-service fueling. Hy-Vee, West Des Moines, Iowa, debuted the service in April at its more than 165 c-stores in eight states, including at its Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh stores. Also in April, Des Moines-based Kum & Go rolled out the service to all its nearly 400 stores in 12 states. Both Kum & Go and Hy-Vee accept cash and credit for payment.
There have been no confirmed cases of transmitting the coronavirus by touching a contaminated fuel pump. That said, retailers have stepped up their cleaning routines at the fuel island and many are offering complimentary gloves and hand sanitizer to customers. (For more on proper pump cleaning procedures, click here.)
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