Mercedes-Benz has announced that its customers in Germany will now be able to begin the fueling process, and pay digitally for fuel, from inside their vehicle using a new service launched with Mastercard.
Authenticated using the in-vehicle fingerprint scanner, enabling biometric two-factor authentication, the new service works to eliminate the need for users to enter a pin or authenticate with a mobile device while enhancing the in-vehicle experience. The new service will be offered natively through Mercedes pay+, the OEM’s newly announced in-vehicle payment technology.
Digital payments at service stations using the fingerprint sensor will be possible with Mastercard debit and credit cards in current Mercedes-Benz models. Here, the OEM will integrate Mastercard’s Secure Card on File for Commerce platform into the car, allowing transaction data to be encrypted using uniquely assigned cryptograms that protect sensitive payment information. In addition to Mastercard, Visa cards can also be activated for digital payment at gas stations using Mercedes pay+.
The experience begins when the user reaches a connected service station and switches off the engine, at which point the Mercedes me Fuel & Pay service is automatically activated on the MBUX infotainment system. The user then selects the appropriate gas pump and the fueling process begins. Ahead of refueling, the system likewise calculates the maximum total amount based on the current fuel price and amount of fuel that will be in the tank once it is full. Afterwards, the driver will see the amount of fuel refueled and the invoice amount on the MBUX display. The payment will be made automatically, and the invoice is sent to the customer’s email address.
Customers will be able to access the in-vehicle fuel payment service at more than 3,600 gas stations across Germany. This access is enabled by linking a Mastercard or Visa credit or debit card issued in the country to their Mercedes me user account, and activating Mercedes pay+ through the MBUX infotainment system. In the future, Mercedes-Benz plans to expand its fingerprint-based payment functionality to further vehicle related services and launch it in other European markets – though a timeline for either of these activities has yet to be confirmed.