GasBuddy
Also launched here in 2016 was the aptly
named GasBuddy. The app has over 15
million active monthly users in the United
States and Canada, with Australia the
first country outside those regions to have
access to it.
Central to its premise is the idea that
users are part of a wider community that
works together to “outsmart the pump”.
Users are encouraged to report live prices
directly to the app and are in turn rewarded
for their contributions with points, fuel
discounts or financial remuneration.
“Petrol prices vary greatly even within a
small distance and has long been a pain
point for Aussies,” said Nic Moulis, country
manager of GasBuddy Australia.
“GasBuddy is a game changer because it
takes the mystery out of fuel cost, puts the
power back to the consumer and provides
the information needed for motorists to
avoid overpaying at the bowser.”
Benefits:
• The user-based contribution system is a great
way to source regular real-time prices
• The interface is easy-to-use and worked well for
our tests within the inner-Melbourne area.
• Having a rewards system encourages strong
community engagement
Limitations:
• Requires a large community of users to work
effectively, so its use in rural or isolated areas would
be somewhat limited.
• The app features quite a lot of advertising within it,
which does distract a little from its functionalities.
• As the app is a somewhat open-source community,
the prices provided may not always be 100%
reliable or accurate.
Final Word: GasBuddy does what it promises well for the most part and as the community grows
so too will its overall usefulness and accuracy. The excess advertising is a bit of an issue, so a paid
version of the app that removes all of that would be a massive help.
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ISSUE 20 2019 / WWW.AFMA.ORG.AU