By: 29 September 2023

The Mercedes pay+ service uses a fingerprint sensor integrated into its MBUX infotainment system

Mercedes customers in Germany can now pay for fuel from their car by using their fingerprint.  

The German carmaker has partnered with Mastercard to introduce the embedded in-car payments feature.  

Customers will be able to use a fingerprint sensor in their car to make payments at 3,600 service stations in Germany. 

The Mercedes pay+ service uses a fingerprint sensor integrated into its MBUX infotainment system, and works with Mastercard debit and credit cards.   

A study conducted by GfK, a German market research company, on behalf of Mastercard shows that around half of 18- to 39-year-olds would order and pay for services and goods directly via the infotainment display.  

Fingerprint payments from the car will be extended soon to other vehicle-related services and to other European markets, Mastercard said in a press release. 

Emerging payments analyst Christopher Miller of Javelin, said: “This joint effort to enable native in-car payments for fuelling is an example of a real-world step towards a more seamless and integrated payments ecosystem that brings together consumer need, the right data, and payment credentials to reduce payment friction while retaining payment security.   

“The announcement highlights the importance of payments experiences that are truly integrated end-to-end, from authentication hardware in the vehicle, to calculation of fuel costs and needs, to email delivery of receipts.” 

Franz Reiner, chairman of the board of at Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG, commented: “An intuitive payment process and a best- in-class customer experience lay the foundation for the success of digital offerings. We are already working on the integration of further services.” 

Jorn Lambert, chief digital officer at Mastercard, added: “Digital payments are coming of age, and consumers want to embrace new forms that are infused into their everyday experiences and activities.” 

Image: Canva 

Josh Poyser
Josh Poyser is an editor at FinTech Intel. He has written about fintech for several years and appeared at FinTech Connect 2023 on the 'Unlocking Success: The Art of Fintech PR' panel.