Jaeho Chung, Dana Lee and Yoo Hayeon · CLIENT: Energy Plus
Energy Plus is a mobile application that simplifies fueling in Korea by reducing a twelve step process to four actions. The main feature, Quick Fuel, lets drivers start refueling and complete payment with a single barcode scan, without cash or physical cards. Preferred fuel type, payment method and loyalty details are registered once and reused at every visit. Real-time fuel prices and station navigation support the choice of station. After each transaction, a digital summary with payment details and rewards information is provided.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Energy Plus redefines Korea’s fueling by reducing a traditional 12 step process to four. Its signature feature, Quick Fuel, enables refueling and payment via a single barcode scan eliminating the need for cash, physical cards, or app navigation. For on-the-go access, Quick Fuel is available via widgets, Shake&Pay, and CarPlay. Real-time pricing and navigation simplify station selection. Post-fueling, digital reports with rewards and review prompts ensure a seamless and connected user journey.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Energy Plus is a mobile application. It integrates real-time fuel price APIs and POS-linked barcode protocols with encrypted payment processing (TLS 1.2+). AI station personas are generated using NLP-based review analysis. Average transaction latency remains under 1.5 seconds in LTE/5G environments. The platform supports widgets, Shake & Pay motion detection, and Apple CarPlay integration, ensuring seamless and accessible interaction across contexts.
- Tags
- Fuel Payment, Quick Fuel, One-Scan Payment, Mobility Innovation
- Production Technology
- Energy Plus was developed on a modular UX framework integrated with real-time fuel and payment systems. Quick Fuel securely connects user preferences(fuel type, payment method, and amount)to station POS through a single barcode protocol, enabling a seamless one-scan transaction. AI-powered station personas use natural language processing to convert customer reviews into structured insights. The system is optimized for unstable network environments at gas stations and built on scalable APIs supporting widgets, Shake & Pay, and CarPlay. This technical foundation ensures a secure, responsive, and fully connected fueling experience.
- Design Challenge
- The greatest challenge was translating a traditionally physical, pump-based process into a seamless digital interaction without disrupting existing station infrastructure. Legal payment regulations, POS compatibility, and unstable network environments limited technical flexibility. Socially, drivers were accustomed to manual selection and card presentation. The design had to reduce steps while maintaining trust and clarity. Balancing security, speed, and familiarity required iterative prototyping and close collaboration with engineers and station operators.
- Project Duration
- The project started in March 2023 in Seoul, South Korea. User research and usability testing were conducted in Seoul and surrounding metropolitan areas. The service was officially launched nationwide in January 2024 through the Energy Plus mobile platform and continues to evolve through ongoing design development and iterative improvements.
- Operation Flow
- Energy Plus operates through a simple four-step flow: open the app, tap Quick Fuel, scan the barcode, and refuel. Users set preferences once, so each visit becomes a confirmation rather than a setup. The barcode connects payment and fuel choice instantly at the pump. Widgets, Shake & Pay, and CarPlay allow access without searching through menus. The key moment is the single scan, turning a complex, multi-step process into one smooth action, reducing wait time and mental effort.
- Research
- Type of Research: UX design research. Research Objectives: simplify the fueling journey and reduce user friction. Methodology: mixed-method approach combining qualitative interviews and quantitative behavior analysis. Data Collection and Tools: user journey mapping, usability tests, in-app analytics, and review mining with NLP tools. Participants: Korean drivers aged 20~60. Results: reduced fueling steps and clearer decision-making. Insights and Impacts: users value speed and certainty over feature variety. The research improved transaction efficiency, station operations, and digital adoption in real-life fueling behavior.
- Inspiration
- Quick Fuel is designed to eliminate persistent pain points, such as cumbersome refueling steps, physical loyalty cards, and the risk of missing discounts. Users pre-register their preferred fuel type, payment method, and loyalty information once, then seamlessly reuse that preset for every visit. A single tap reveals a barcode; scanning it at the pump completes both fueling and payment instantly. This streamlined action delivers a faster, more intuitive, and satisfying experience for drivers.
- Image Credits
- Main Image #1. The cover image presents the Energy Plus home interface and the activated fueling pattern screen. It highlights the Quick Fuel entry point and preset preferences, demonstrating how users can initiate refueling with minimal interaction.
Cover Image #1. This image illustrates the simplified fueling registration flow and the Fuel Report interface. Users can register preferences in a few clear steps, reducing repetitive input during future visits. The Fuel Report visualizes consumption patterns to support informed decision-making. A dedicated dark mode ensures visual comfort and accessibility across different lighting environments.
Cover Image #2.This image presents fuel-type specific fueling patterns and the integrated barcode interface. Each fuel type is clearly distinguished through color and layout, enabling fast recognition at the pump.
Cover Image #3. This image showcases the Shake & Pay feature and widget interface. The motion-based interaction allows users to access Quick Fuel instantly without navigating through menus. The widget provides direct entry from the home screen, extending usability beyond the app and supporting contextual, time-efficient interaction.
Cover Image #4.This image combines the Fuel Report dashboard with the location-based station service interface.
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