The core idea
When unleaded/diesel drops (say it hits a “cheap window”), locals opt in and buy litres in advance at that price. Their litres sit in a digital wallet.
Later, when prices jump, they redeem those locked litres at participating stations — like a gift card, but denominated in litres at a locked price.
How it could work (simple version)
- Price trigger: Fuel Lock posts a “Lock Window” (e.g., “If U91 hits ≤ 179.9/L in Werribee, lock opens for 24 hours”).
- Members top up: People buy $50 / $100 / $200 worth of fuel at today’s price.
- They receive “litres” credit: e.g., $100 at 179.9/L = 55.6L credited to their wallet.
- Redeem later: Scan QR at the pump or counter; wallet deducts litres; the station is paid.
Why locals would care
- Smooths price spikes: people aren’t hostage to Tuesday/Thursday jumps.
- Budgeting: locks fuel like a grocery budget.
- Collective leverage: pooled demand can negotiate perks.
Making it actually viable: 3 models (pick the best one)
Model A — “Litres Wallet” with one or two stations
Partner with 1–3 independent servos first.
- Fuel Lock collects prepayments (escrow/trust style).
- Station agrees: “Fuel Lock litres redeem anytime in next 60–120 days.”
- Station gets guaranteed volume + loyalty.
Extra hook: members get a small bonus if they lock during quiet periods (e.g., +1% litres).
Model B — “Bulk Buy Day” (no complex wallet tech)
No price-lock promise, just collective buying power.
- Each month: “Fuel Lock Day”
- You negotiate a special fixed price for a 4-hour window.
- Members show a QR and fill up.
This is easy legally and operationally, but doesn’t fully “pre-buy” for later.
Model C — “Community Fuel Voucher” (gift-card style, easiest compliance)
People buy vouchers when prices are low.
- Voucher is a dollar value, but marketed with a “litre estimate” for transparency.
- Can include a bonus funded by partner sponsorships or small membership fee.
This avoids some “financial product” risk because it’s basically stored value.
The “lobby money together” twist: make it community-first
To keep it feeling like locals lobbying together (not just another app):
1) Local Fuel Committee / Co-op vibe
- Locals vote on:
- which stations to partner with
- lock thresholds (e.g., “open lock when U91 is bottom 25% of last 60 days”)
- whether to prioritise diesel users, families, tradies, etc.
2) “Round-up for relief”
Optional: round up purchases to help:
- nurses/aged care workers
- carers
- community volunteers
3) Tiered membership that funds discounts
- Free: access lock windows
- $5/mo: extra bonus litres, early access, or one “swap day” per month
- Business/tradie: bigger caps + invoice-friendly receipts
Safeguards (so it doesn’t blow up)
If you pitch this publicly, include these guardrails:
- Caps: limit litres per member per lock window so nobody hoards (e.g., max 150L/week).
- Expiry: locked litres expire after 90–120 days (prevents long-term liability).
- Transparent fees: if there’s a fee, make it clear (e.g., $1 transaction fee or membership).
- Escrow/trust handling: funds should be clearly separated until redemption (builds trust).
- Station protections: stations can limit redemption per day to manage supply.
The “killer feature”: a simple rule to know when to lock
A rule locals understand instantly:
Lock opens when today’s price is at least 12–18c/L below the 30-day local average.
That makes it feel data-based and fair, not random.
Summary
Fuel Lock lets locals lock in cheap fuel when prices dip. Members pre-buy litres during a “Lock Window” and redeem them later at partner stations — so when prices jump, your fuel stays cheap.
It’s community buying power, with transparent caps, expiry limits, and a local vote on rules and partners.
