Apple CarPlay new feature could let drivers buy fuel 

An upcoming version of Apple’s CarPlay software may allow drivers to purchase fuel at gas stations with a few taps on their vehicle’s dashboard touchscreen. This will reduce the need to bring cumbersome cash or swipe a credit card for the transaction. 

Fuel purchases for Apple CarPlay users could be as easy as tapping the screen

The feature was unveiled at Apple’s developer conference last month, with a planned rollout by the third quarter of 2022 to hundreds of car models that already offer support for CarPlay as a standard feature. 

To use it, iPhone users need only download a fuel company’s app to their device and enter their payment credentials. After the setup is complete, users can tap on the car’s touchscreen to activate a pump and pay. 

Independent petroleum refiner HF Sinclair says it plans to use the new CarPlay feature, with details to be announced in the coming months. “We are excited by the idea that consumers could navigate to a Sinclair station and purchase fuel from their vehicle’s navigation screen,” said HF Sinclair Senior Vice President of Marketing Jack Barger.

Users need to download a fuel company's app to their iPhone and set it up with payment credentials

This is the latest in Apple’s efforts to promote CarPlay as an important instrument in e-commerce. The software currently allows users to download and use apps for parking, finding charging stations for electric vehicles, and even ordering food online. At present, Apple imposes no fees on carmakers, developers, and users for CarPlay. 

Automakers have attempted to integrate fuel purchase features in their models before, with disappointing results. In 2017, General Motors introduced the functionality but eventually dropped it this year, citing a supplier leaving the business.

Apple is working with automakers to expand CarPlay's features 

Apple also wants to expand CarPlay’s functionality by accessing a vehicle’s speed and fuel gauge data, but this is dependent on whether automakers agree to share that information with the electronics giant. 

If you’re in the market for a new car, will the upcoming Apple CarPlay update influence your decision on which model to buy? 

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