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Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF

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Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF

#171

Post by ars »

rdl wrote: post #160
ars wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> regular (87 octane) and premium (91/93) Mid-grade (89) is just a mix of the two - it shouldn't be hard to implement.

Usually additives are added to premium which wouldn't be in mid-grade (not a huge cost difference, though). Usually this stuff gets mixed at the rack (along with ethanol, etc.), although there are older gas stations and cheaper stations which mix high and low on-site at the pump for medium.

> Usually additives are added to premium which wouldn't be in mid-grade

That's the perception (and they are happy for you to think that), but I don't believe it's actually true.

And in any case, if it is true, a mix would simply have a lower level of additives for midgrade and that seems right to me.

> although there are older gas stations and cheaper stations which mix high and low on-site at the pump for medium.

I'm almost 100% certain that almost all gas stations have just two storage tanks and the pump mixes them.

See: https://blog.gasbuddy.com/posts/Gasoline-pumping-from-the-st...

http://hyperbear.blogspot.com/2006/05/dirty-little-secret-ab...

Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF

#172

Post by toephu2 »

Unfortunately this sounds like another startup that won't exist 2 years from now. They are solving a problem that isn't really a problem. And super long term when everyone has an electric car this won't even be an issue. The potential client base seems really small. They would have to pivot like crazy.

Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF

#173

Post by yeukhon »

tinbad wrote: post #168

I'm probably the only one here who actually enjoys taking a break from my commute to pull over, refuel and get a drink/snack while I'm at it. But I can totally see where this would work (depending on how much one drives). I can see my wife use this to not have to deal with getting gas, especially when she drives our two babies around. I wonder if they offer both regular and premium gas as my car needs premium (would…

You are not. When I drive down to West Virginia from NY, getting fresh air on foot is exciting because I feel safe walking around gas station more than driving on the road. But that's outside of city. City gas station is competitive enough I feel stressed about going into one.

Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF

#174

Post by ams6110 »

princetontiger wrote: post #73

This is like the late 90s. Startup bubble. The world is moving to EVs. Not sure how this is a tech startup?

Statistically speaking, nobody is driving EVs. Yet. This kind of business may have a 10 or 20 year realistic opportunity, but that's enough time to make a lot of money.

Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF

#175

Post by ams6110 »

jsprogrammer wrote: post #123
astrodust wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not even sure what you're saying.

Carbon being released into the atmosphere is believed to be one of the main contributors to rapid climate change. Gasoline is a liquid of hydrogen and carbon. When it is burned, the carbon and hydrogens are broken apart and the carbon joins with oxygen and is then typically allowed to escape in to the atmosphere. This service is hauling around, presumably large amounts of, gasoline, likely using a hydro-carbon burnin…

Not enough to worry about, in the context of the total number of cars on the road.

Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF

#176

Post by sedachv »

serge2k wrote: post #136
sedachv wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Furthermore, Uber solved a problem in a market with inefficiencies and use regulation arbitrage to do it. What is "regulation arbitrage?"

Ignoring regulations and using your influence to try to force governments to change regulations when they finally come calling.

How is that arbitrage? http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arbitrage

Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF

#177

Post by Reason077 »

vkou wrote: post #156
fryguy wrote: post #121

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just buy a Tesla and charge it every night :)

Instead of having fuel anxiety every two weeks, you'll have it every time your car spends the night outside of your garage.

If you only need to refuel your gas car every 2 weeks, then you certainly won't need to recharge your Tesla every night.

Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF

#178

Post by unclebucknasty »

toephu2 wrote: post #172

Unfortunately this sounds like another startup that won't exist 2 years from now. They are solving a problem that isn't really a problem. And super long term when everyone has an electric car this won't even be an issue. The potential client base seems really small. They would have to pivot like crazy.

I wonder if their success will be inversely proportional to the success of Uber.

Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF

#179

Post by camtarn »

OoTheNigerian wrote: post #117

Guys, guy, can you look beyond what you see today? Filling gas is merely an MVP. The goal at the minimum is to manage every car post purchase Gas is merely a way to start the relationship between the car and the owner. car servicing is a massive low hanging fruit after the gas one. Presently my car is over a month due for servicing, I'll happily pay 15% more to get someone come do it where I parked it. My suggestion…

"Please replace my burned-out headlight bulb" would be super useful as well.

Re: Yoshi (YC S16) launches “set it and forget it” vehicle re-fueling service in SF

#180

Post by steven777400 »

OoTheNigerian wrote: post #117

Guys, guy, can you look beyond what you see today? Filling gas is merely an MVP. The goal at the minimum is to manage every car post purchase Gas is merely a way to start the relationship between the car and the owner. car servicing is a massive low hanging fruit after the gas one. Presently my car is over a month due for servicing, I'll happily pay 15% more to get someone come do it where I parked it. My suggestion…

Agreed. The great thing is, they don't even need to be the mechanic, they just need to have the relationship. I work 6 am to 6 pm most days, so whenever my car needs even an oil change it's a huge hassle to coordinate (or means giving up what feels like half a day off).

I'd totally pay a bit extra to have someone pickup my car from the work parking lot, take it for an oil change and whatever other squawks I've identified, etc, and return it.

Of course, the downside is that most cars don't get oil changes very often (compared to fueling), so they would need a LOT of customers to make this work.

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