Shell and PayPal to roll out mobile payments at petrol pumps
Faster mobile payments at Shell are scheduled to be available later this year through apps on Android and iOS smartphones. The service will allow customers to pay for their fuel using just their mobile without leaving their car.
The partners said the system allows parents to pay without having to leave young children in the car, and serves all customers in a hurry. The "vast majority" of Shell's 1,000 service stations are planning to offer the technology.
Consumers will be able to use the service through either the Shell Motorist app or the PayPal app. After driving into the forecourt the customer selects the corresponding pump on the app. The app then authenticates the transaction and the customer can then fill up and go.
When refuelling is complete a receipt is automatically sent through to the phone, allowing the customer to drive away knowing the transaction was a success.
Following a successful trial in 2013, Shell will be piloting the service for invited Shell Drivers' Club customers in April, with plans to roll it out nationwide later in 2015.
Michael Hominick, retail marketing manager for retail at Shell UK, says: "We're committed to providing a fast, safe and secure service. We've listened to our customers and know they will benefit from this innovation. They will now have the flexibility and convenience of paying without having to leave their car. Those who want to go in store and pay or purchase other items will still be able to, with the benefit of reduced queues."
Rob Harper, director for mobile commerce at PayPal UK, said: "We've announced a UK first, we've created a simple and secure way to use your mobile phone to pay at the pump nationwide. At PayPal, we've always believed people will use their mobile phones to pay if there's a clear benefit."