Mercedes-Benz and Mastercard debut in-car fingerprint payments

By Gloria Methri

Mercedes-Benz has joined forces with Mastercard to introduce embedded in-car payments at the point of sale. Mercedes-Benz customers in Germany can now start the fueling process directly from their vehicle and pay digitally by fingerprint.

Eliminating the need to enter a PIN or authenticate via mobile device, drivers can now leverage convenient payments to enhance the in-vehicle experience. The native in-car payment service via Mercedes pay+ will turn the car into a form of payment device and can be used to make payments at service stations using the fingerprint sensor integrated into the MBUX infotainment system. This is now live with Mastercard debit and credit cards in current Mercedes-Benz models.

Fingerprint payment authorization at a gas station represents the first use case for native in-car payments at the point of sale. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz is the first automaker to integrate Mastercard’s Secure Card on File for Commerce platform into its car. This technology allows for transaction data to be encrypted using uniquely assigned cryptograms, in turn protecting sensitive payment information.

“With Mercedes pay+, we are making everyday life easier for our customers. From now on, they can pay their fuel bill directly from their car using their fingerprint – simply, securely, and conveniently. An intuitive payment process and a best-in-class customer experience lay the foundation for the success of digital offerings. We are pioneers in native in-car payment and are already working on the integration of further services,” said Franz Reiner, Chairman of the Board of Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG.

“Digital payments are coming of age, and consumers want to embrace new forms that are infused into their everyday experiences and activities,” said Jorn Lambert, Chief Digital Officer at Mastercard. “Through our dynamic payments technology, we are proud to work hand in hand with Mercedes-Benz to bring safer, smarter, and more intelligent commerce experiences to its vehicles. We look forward to our continued efforts to drive further innovation in this area in Germany and around the world.”

How in-car payment with fingerprint works

When a driver reaches a connected service station and switches off the engine, the Mercedes me Fuel & Pay service will start automatically on the MBUX infotainment system. Once started, the driver can simply select the appropriate gas pump.

Even before refueling, the system will calculate the maximum total amount based on the current fuel price and the amount of fuel when the tank is full. Rather than authorizing the payment via a mobile device, the driver will complete the transaction seamlessly through fingerprint authentication.

After refueling, the driver will see the amount of fuel refueled and the invoice amount to their Mastercard debit or credit cards on the MBUX display.

Contactless payment via Mercedes me Fuel & Pay and fingerprint sensor is now possible at over 3,600 cooperating gas stations in Germany. Fingerprint payments from the car will be extended soon to other vehicle-related services and to other European markets.