GM's Embedded In-Dash Fuel Payment Service Goes Live at Shell Gas Stations

author: Eric Walz   

Until all cars are fully-electric, they will need to be refueled. As connected car technology becomes more widespread, drivers will be able to use in-car apps just like they do on a smartphone. Using a new in-car payment app, General Motors and Shell are making it easier to refuel, allowing drivers to pay for gas directly from their car's infotainment system, without having to swipe a credit or debit card.

GM has begun the automotive industry's first-ever embedded, in-dash fuel payment and loyalty experience with Shell gas stations. Customers refueling their eligible Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles at Shell stations, will be able to use the Shell Pay & Save app available from the GM Marketplace to pay for their fuel directly from their vehicles' infotainment screen.

GM Marketplace is the automotive industry's first in-car commerce platform that allows drivers order take-out, make reservations, find hotels, or pay for fuel directly from the vehicle's built-in infotainment system.

Using embedded 4G LTE connectivity, GM's Marketplace is available on millions of existing 2017 and 2018 model-year cars, trucks and crossovers that have compatible infotainment systems, with continued rollout to compatible new vehicles. A separate data plan is not required to use Marketplace.

Customers using GM Marketplace with the Shell payment option will simply pull into a Shell gas station, make a few selections on the vehicle's touchscreen and a three-digit code will be generated that allows the user to activate a specific pump and start fueling.

The amount due is then automatically charged to the customer's payment method of choice, be that credit or debit on file or directly from their checking account. The transaction is secure, as it is all done without having to swipe a credit card or using a mobile device. As an added bonus, Shell's Fuel Rewards savings are automatically applied without the need to swipe a loyalty card.

"We are very excited to be able to announce that this technology is now live at Shell branded locations across the United States," said Sydney Kimball, Vice President, Fuel Sales and Marketing Americas for Shell Oil Products U.S. "What an incredible opportunity this is, and we couldn't be more thrilled to bring this to our customers."

"Fueling is obviously an essential part of the vehicle ownership experience and we're excited to offer our drivers a new way to fuel up with convenience, security and speed," said Rick Ruskin, Marketplace Line of Business leader, GM. "Through Marketplace, we've been able to harness the power of the connected vehicle to change the way people think about everyday tasks like filling up."

Shell and GM have worked with several companies to develop and roll-out this innovative technology and customer experience Chase, Buy It Mobility (BIM) and Shell's payment platform provider, P97.

Shell is offering drivers a discount on gasoline as part of the launch of in-dash fuel payment to get people to try out the service. Customers driving eligible Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicles can earn a one-time discount of 25 cents per gallon in Fuel Rewards savings after they sign up. In addition, customers can earn an extra 5 cents off per gallon after each fuel purchase of at least five gallons on every fill-up through the end of the year.

This nationwide rollout comes following a successful pilot in select U.S. markets earlier this year.

Eric Walz

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry here in Silicon Valley. He has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology.