Paying for fuel is about to get a serious upgrade for connected car owners. At Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026, ToneTag unveiled DrivePay, India’s first in-car fuel payment solution, letting drivers pay directly from their vehicle dashboard without reaching for a phone, card, or app.
Table of Contents
ToneTag: Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Solution Name | DrivePay |
| Technology Provider | ToneTag |
| Automotive Partner | TATA.CARS |
| Fuel Retail Partner | IndianOil |
| Framework Used | NPCI’s UPI Circle (IoT-enabled) |
| Launch Event | Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026 |
| Launch Date | September 11, 2026 |
| Loyalty Integration | IndianOil XTRAREWARDS |
How DrivePay Works
DrivePay extends digital payments directly into connected vehicles, allowing TATA.CARS owners to complete fuel payments through their car’s own interface right after refuelling — no separate mobile app, card, or additional device required. The system runs on an IoT-enabled implementation of NPCI’s UPI Circle framework, with ToneTag supplying the underlying technology layer that makes the in-vehicle payment experience possible.
Following the GFF 2026 launch, the solution is being rolled out in collaboration with IndianOil, with a formal deployment across IndianOil retail outlets expected in the coming months.
Rewards Without the Extra Step
One standout feature: DrivePay integrates IndianOil’s XTRAREWARDS loyalty programme directly into the payment flow, letting eligible customers earn reward points automatically — without needing to share their mobile number during the transaction. It’s a small but meaningful convenience that removes friction from an already streamlined process.
Why This Matters for the Future of Payments
According to ToneTag’s Co-Founder and Director of Labs, Vivek Kumar Singh, payments are increasingly moving beyond cards and smartphones, with connected devices emerging as the next major frontier for commerce. This collaboration between IndianOil, TATA.CARS, ToneTag, and NPCI demonstrates how payment infrastructure can extend seamlessly into everyday connected devices, turning the vehicle itself into a secure payment interface.
ToneTag isn’t stopping with this rollout either — the company plans to explore partnerships with other automotive manufacturers and mobility players to bring similar in-vehicle payment experiences to a broader market. For more on how UPI’s ecosystem functions, check out this Wikipedia overview of Unified Payments Interface.
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FAQs
Q1. What is DrivePay, and who developed it?
DrivePay is an in-car fuel payment solution developed by ToneTag in collaboration with TATA.CARS and IndianOil, launched at Global Fintech Fest 2026.
Q2. Do customers need a separate app or card to use DrivePay?
No, DrivePay allows customers to pay for fuel directly through their vehicle’s dashboard interface, without needing a phone, card, or separate app.
