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Pay for fuel on your phone with new app from Shell and Paypal

New system from Shell and Paypal will allow drivers to pay for their fuel from their cars

Shell and PayPal to offer smartphone payments at the pump

Motorists will be able to pay for their fuel using just their smartphone, thanks to a new system set up by Shell and PayPal.

Set to be rolled out to an initial 1,000 Shell Drivers' Club customers in April, the service is excpected to be offered across participating Shell garages for anyone using an Android or iOS compatible smartphone.

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The service will work through either the Shell Motorist App or Paypal App. Once the driver pulls up on to the forecourt they simply select the corresponding pump on the app. This then authenticates the payment and the user can simply fill up their car and drive off.

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Once a customer has finished filling up their car, a receipt is automatically sent through to their phone so that they know that the payment was successful.

The new scheme follows a successful trial in 2013 and there are plans to roll it out nationwide later in 2015. The vast majority of Shell's 1,000 service stations are expected to offer the technology.

Despite numerous warnings regarding using mobile phones on the filling station forecourt, Shell claims that it is safe to use a mobile phone from within a parked, stationary car when you're at the pumps. As a result, this new payment solution is an in-vehicle only experience. Shell has worked with London Fire Brigade to ensure that it is safe. 

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Michael Hominick, Retail Marketing Manager at Shell UK said: “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.”

“This is an exciting development for Shell.  We believe that by working with a trusted brand like PayPal this new service will positively impact our service stations by delivering the security, choice and convenience UK motorists are after.”

Do you like the idea of paying for your fuel on your phone? Let us know in the comments section below...

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