Tata.CARS DrivePay Adds In-Car Fuel Payments With ToneTag

ToneTag has launched an in-car fuel payment solution for TATA.CARS’ DrivePay at Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026, using an IoT-enabled implementation of NPCI’s UPI Circle framework. The solution has been developed in collaboration with IndianOil and is designed to allow connected vehicle users to pay for fuel through the vehicle interface.

DrivePay, powered by ToneTag, allows customers to complete fuel payments through their vehicle’s interface after refuelling, without using a separate mobile application, 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 system uses NPCI’s UPI Circle framework, specifically its provision covering the introduction of IoT devices and software into the UPI ecosystem. ToneTag provides the technology layer for the IoT-based payment process, integrating the payment capability into the connected vehicle.

How Tata.CARS DrivePay Enables In-Car Fuel Payments

The DrivePay system is intended to allow fuel payments to be completed from the vehicle after refuelling. The release does not specify the authentication or transaction flow beyond stating that the payment is completed through the vehicle interface and does not require a separate app or card.

The solution is also set to integrate IndianOil’s XTRAREWARDS loyalty programme. Eligible customers will be able to earn reward points without sharing their mobile number during the transaction.

ToneTag And IndianOil To Deploy DrivePay

The collaboration combines IndianOil’s fuel retail network with TATA.CARS’ connected vehicle ecosystem, ToneTag’s payment technology and NPCI’s digital payments infrastructure. According to the release, the companies see potential applications for the technology across in-vehicle payments, commerce and digital services.

ToneTag said it will explore similar applications with other automotive OEMs and mobility ecosystem companies, following the DrivePay implementation with TATA.CARS.

Vivek Kumar Singh, co-founder and director – Labs, ToneTag, said the DrivePay implementation demonstrates how UPI-based payment infrastructure can be extended to connected devices. He added that the company sees vehicles as another interface through which payments and other commerce services can be delivered.

ToneTag is the brand of Bengaluru-headquartered Naffa Innovations Pvt. Ltd. The company develops payment infrastructure for edge devices including phones, POS machines, soundboxes, wearables and vehicles, using technologies including AI, blockchain and sound-based communication.