In-car payments are becoming an important part of connected vehicle technology as automakers and technology companies look for ways to make everyday transactions more convenient for drivers. From paying for fuel and electric vehicle charging to covering parking and tolls, integrated payment capabilities can turn the vehicle dashboard into another digital commerce channel. Connecting these services with existing mobile wallets could also allow drivers to complete transactions without reaching for a physical card or smartphone.
Fuel purchases present unique challenges because payment authorization must be coordinated with gas station systems before a pump can be activated. Connected vehicle platforms can potentially simplify this process by combining navigation, merchant applications, location data, and digital payments within the dashboard. As these technologies mature, successful implementations will need to balance convenience with security, interoperability, and broad merchant acceptance while creating an experience that minimizes driver distraction.
As fuel costs continue to rise, many drivers are looking for ways to save money on gas. One way to do this could be by using a fuel payment app that allows you to track your fuel consumption and make payments directly from your smartphone. The app may connect to your car’s onboard computer and uses GPS to track your location. This information could then used to calculate the cost of fuel based on the current prices in your area. The app may also provides tips on how to improve your fuel efficiency and save money. In addition, the app may be used to pay for parking, tolls, and other fees. How will Apple’s CarPlay rise to this occasion?
GM pulled its own in-dash fueling solution in March after 3 or 4 years in-market, but it appears Apple’s CarPlay is going to give the idea another try. Apple, as is usual, has provided almost no information about how this solution will be implemented, but given the close connection between CarPlay and the iPhone, it is likely to be connected to Apple Pay. Paying at automated fuel pumps is made difficult by the need to connect the performance of a pre-authorization prior to activating the pump and then the integration to the pump controller technology that activates the pump:
“Gas station pumps have increasingly been equipped with contactless tap readers that can get payment information from a compatible credit card or a digital device like an Apple Watch. The general idea for the CarPlay update is that you will be able to use your car’s touchscreen to pay for fuel without the need to pull out a credit card. The technical details of how a car with Apple CarPlay will communicate with compatible pumps was not divulged by Apple or Sinclair, but you will need to download compatible gas station apps in order to make it work. Once everything is installed, the navigation app will be able to not only direct you to a station but also be able to start the refueling session.
CarPlay can already be used to pay for parking sessions, EV charging, and ordering food, Reuters notes, saying that the ability to use the software to log miles driven on business trips is also on the horizon.”
The expansion of in-car payments demonstrates how connected vehicles are evolving into platforms for commerce as well as transportation. Integrating fuel purchases with navigation and digital wallets could reduce friction at the pump while giving drivers a more seamless way to manage routine expenses. Similar technology can support parking, tolls, EV charging, food ordering, and other transactions that occur throughout a journey.
As automakers, technology providers, merchants, and payment companies develop these capabilities, interoperability will be critical to widespread adoption. Drivers will expect in-car payments to work reliably across different merchants and locations without requiring numerous accounts or complicated setup processes. Platforms that successfully combine secure payments with navigation and vehicle technology could ultimately make the dashboard an increasingly important touchpoint in the broader digital commerce ecosystem.
Overview by Tim Sloane, VP, Payments Innovation at Mercator Advisory Group
