Zera warns against doorstep fuel delivery services

Published: 6 hours ago

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has cautioned individuals and companies against launching doorstep fuel delivery services, saying such operations are not licensed in Zimbabwe and pose serious safety risks.

In a statement, ZERA said it had noted claims circulating in the press and on social media that some operators were introducing mobile fuel dispensing services to customers. The Authority stressed that it does not have a licensing category for fuel retailing from bowsers or tank trucks and does not permit the dispensing of fuel at homes, workplaces, or other undesignated locations.

"For safety reasons, fuel is only dispensed into vehicle tanks from licensed retail service stations or into suitably designed, constructed and licensed storage tanks at large consumers' premises," ZERA said.

The regulator warned that practices such as delivering small amounts of fuel directly into vehicles or equipment at uninspected sites were strictly prohibited. It emphasised that the designation and approval of fuel handling and storage facilities at consumer premises remain the responsibility of local authorities' fire departments.

ZERA also dismissed the justification for doorstep fuel delivery, pointing out that there is no shortage of licensed fuel retail outlets in urban areas. Instead, the Authority urged companies seeking to provide flexible fuel solutions to invest in containerised fuel stations in rural and underserved communities, in line with the recently gazetted standard ZWS1119:2024.

The new guidelines provide a framework for establishing portable fuel retail stations in remote areas, which ZERA says is the appropriate model for expanding access without compromising safety.
- BD

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