ToneTag Launches India’s First In-Car Fuel Payment Solution at GFF 2026

DrivePay, powered by ToneTag, enables TATA.CARS users to pay for fuel directly through their vehicle dashboard and earn IndianOil XTRAREWARDS points

Bilkul Bazaar

Mumbai

ToneTag, a global payment infrastructure and sound-based communication technology company, has launched what it describes as India’s first in-car fuel payment solution at Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026. The solution, developed for TATA.CARS’ DrivePay in collaboration with IndianOil, uses an IoT-enabled implementation of NPCI’s UPI Circle framework to enable customers to pay for fuel directly from their connected vehicles.

Powered by ToneTag, DrivePay allows customers to complete fuel payments through their vehicle’s dashboard interface after refuelling, without the need for a separate mobile app, physical card or another payment method. Following its GFF 2026 launch, the solution is being deployed at IndianOil retail outlets, with a formal rollout expected in the coming months.

The technology leverages NPCI’s UPI Circle framework, including its provision for the introduction of IoT devices and software into the UPI ecosystem. ToneTag provides the technology layer that enables the connected-vehicle payment experience, allowing the vehicle itself to function as a secure and contactless payment interface.

DrivePay will also integrate IndianOil’s XTRAREWARDS loyalty programme, allowing eligible customers to earn reward points without having to share their mobile number during the transaction.

The initiative brings together IndianOil’s extensive fuel retail network, TATA.CARS’ connected vehicle ecosystem, ToneTag’s payment technology and NPCI’s digital payments infrastructure. According to ToneTag, the collaboration could provide a foundation for wider applications involving in-vehicle payments, commerce and digital services.

ToneTag said it also plans to explore opportunities with other automotive OEMs and mobility ecosystem players to extend similar in-vehicle payment and commerce solutions across the connected mobility ecosystem.

Vivek Kumar Singh, Co-Founder and Director – Labs, ToneTag, said the initiative reflects the evolution of payments beyond traditional interfaces such as cards and smartphones. He said connected devices could become the next frontier for commerce, with DrivePay demonstrating how UPI-based payment infrastructure can be integrated directly into vehicles.

With its connected-car solution, ToneTag aims to bring payments closer to the point where consumers interact with their vehicles, opening up possibilities for more seamless connected-commerce experiences.