Henderson Technology and Blu Dot Technologies have teamed up to launch a new mobile pay-at-pump app called Fuel Pay.
On arrival at the pump, motorists can use the Fuel Pay app to select the pump, fuel grade, and the amount to refuel. The pump is authorised in-store and then refuelling can begin. Payment automatically uses the card assigned during initial registration. On completion the motorist simply drives away, with their VAT receipt e-mailed automatically.
With Fuel Pay Assist, motorists requiring assistance with refuelling – such as blue badge holders – can download the Fuel Pay app and easily identify participating forecourts. On arrival to the forecourt, the motorist identifies their pump and requests assistance. When the store receives the request for assistance, a response to the motorist confirms that an attendant will arrive at the pump. All communication with the store is via the Fuel Pay app. The motorist can cancel their request at any time.
On arriving at the pump, the attendant asks the motorist to confirm their fuel grade and then completes the refuelling. The attendant has no involvement or responsibility for collecting payment, and the receipt is automatically e-mailed to the motorist.
The companies say the new app offers multiple benefits, including:
- Driver-friendly payment method – intuitive user experience that allows the driver to refuel quickly and easily.
- Puts forecourts on the map – drive new customers to forecourts using the station finder.
- Modernise businesses – Fuel Pay is integrated with debit/credit cards, fuel cards and local accounts.
- Customer loyalty – Fuel Pay is integrated with Azpiral Staff Loyalty and will be further integrated with Azpiral customer loyalty.
Darren Nickels, Retail Technology Operations Director, said: “Fuel Pay was developed following conversations between Henderson Technology and forecourt retailers. Often, Outdoor Payment Terminal [OPT] solutions can be expensive and require the investment of new pumps. This is a cost-effective solution for customers who simply want to purchase fuel without having to enter the store and can be run in conjunction with existing OPT.
“Fuel Pay offers forecourt retailers a number of benefits – it is simple and secure to use, it allows retailers to stay ahead of their competition, and the experience is quick and convenient for motorists.”
Frank Kilpatrick, Chief Executive of Blu Dot Technologies, added: “We have also identified an area in the market for drivers who need assistance when fuelling their vehicle and as a result we have developed Fuel Pay Assist.
“There are currently 2.44 million Blue Badge drivers in the UK and Fuel Pay Assist will be attractive to everyone requiring assistance with their refuelling. We know Fuel Pay Assist will be a huge benefit to Blue Badge drivers, as well as other motorists requiring assistance, and those retailers looking to serve them with outstanding customer experience.”
Fuel Pay is available as a standalone app or can be added to existing Appetite! app integrations. Appetite! is a pre-order-pre-pay delivery and collection app for grocery and food-to-go, including drive-thru collection and in-store kiosks. It is fully integrated to EDGEPoS, ensuring live stock reporting on both the app and EDGEPoS back office.
Nickels added: “The pandemic showed us how customers can shop in different ways, and this trend has continued. Our Appetite! app already offers grocery click-and-collect and delivery options, but we saw there was a demand for faster and frictionless fuel transactions.”
