RFID technology enables ease of operation, accounting and transparency in fuel dispensing by dealers of oil companies.
18 Jun 2018 | 20100 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
Fuel dispensing in India is set to go hi-tech. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) and Fastlane, an initiative of retail fuel payment and automation company AGS Transact Technologies, have inked a strategic partnership.
Called HP-Fastlane, the new-age solution automatic vehicle identification (AVI) using RFID technology to deliver cashless payment ...
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Fuel dispensing in India is set to go hi-tech. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) and Fastlane, an initiative of retail fuel payment and automation company AGS Transact Technologies, have inked a strategic partnership.
Called HP-Fastlane, the new-age solution automatic vehicle identification (AVI) using RFID technology to deliver cashless payment solutions and bring efficacy in fuel management. The company is targeting issuing of 100,000 Fastlane fuel tags across Mumbai. Currently, there are 18 HP-Fastlane pumps across Mumbai, Vashi and Thane which will be opened for end-consumers by July 1 this year. Subsequently, the company will install Fastlane solution across 200 HPCL outlets across India, in a phased manner.
Satish Zope, president, Petroleum Payment Business, AGS Transact Technologies, said, “Fastlane- enabled fuel stations will transform the fuel management process providing an enhanced consumer experience. We are delighted to partner with HPCL and leverage its expansive network to install our unique technology. We are confident that Fastlane will find resonance amongst oil companies and fleet owners alike, bringing greater efficiencies and transparency.”
The HP-Fastlane fuel solution can be accessed over the Internet or through a HP-Fastlane mobile app, available on Android and iOS platforms. It enables customer to enroll their vehicle details and load money in the prepaid HP-Fastlane wallet as and when required. When the registered vehicle reaches an HP-Fastlane enabled petrol pump, the RFID ring fitted in the vehicle’s fuel tank will ensure just the right amount of fuel is dispensed, thus avoiding fuel proliferation. This technology caters to fleet owners and individuals.
Commenting on the tie-up, D N Krishnamurthy, chief general manager (West Zone), HPCL, said: “It has been HPCL’s constant endeavour to embrace cutting-edge technological solutions to improve the customer’s experience while availing our products and services. The usage of HP-Fastlane, India’s first contactless fuel payment solution and an initiative of AGSTTL at our petrol pumps, will increase efficiency and also enhance transparency by reducing service time and improving ease of payment process by the customers.”
HP-Fastlane components, according to the two companies, are intrinsically safe and certified by PESO (Petroleum Explosives & Safety Orgnisation) to be installed in hazardous areas. HP-Fastlane not only allows fueling of designated fleet vehicles and prevents fuel pilferage, but also brings convenience to user and transparency in transactions thereby optimising business operations. The application also sends notifications for timely fuel refill while simplifying the payment process through cashless and card less transactions.
How does it work?
The customer downloads the HP-Fastlane app from Play Store (Google or Apple) and enters the relevant details to enroll. He/she can also request the AGSTTL sales representative to complete the enrollment formalities in person at any participating HPCL fuel station.
The customer can load money in to the HP-Fastlane wallet through credit card/ debit card/ net banking and preset the amount of fuel he/she intend to buy.
As the vehicle enters the station, vehicle and payment information is verified by the nozzle reader. This is done through the smart RFID Tag, which is contactless microprocessor-based smart ring/tag installed in the vehicle fuel tank inlet.
If the system is satisfied that this is an authorised vehicle, the pump receives reset authorisation from the cloud and fueling will commence.
After fueling, the driver can simply drive away without having to make payments through hard cash.
The HP-Fastlane app is available for download on Google Play store and Apple App Store. HP-Fastlane Tags are available across 18 Fastlane-enabled HPCL outlets.