ToneTag, a global payment infrastructure and sound-based communication technology company, has launched India’s first in-car fuel payment solution at Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026, using an IoT-enabled implementation of NPCI’s UPI Circle framework for TATA.CARS’ DrivePay solution in collaboration with IndianOil.
The solution enables customers to pay securely for fuel at IndianOil outlets directly through their connected vehicles, eliminating the need for a separate mobile application, card or other payment method.
Payments move into connected vehicles
DrivePay, powered by ToneTag, allows customers to complete fuel payments through the vehicle’s interface after refuelling. Following its launch at GFF 2026, the solution is being deployed in collaboration with IndianOil to enable an in-car fuel payment experience at IndianOil retail outlets, with a formal rollout expected in the coming months.
The solution leverages NPCI’s UPI Circle framework, titled “Introduction of IoT Devices and Software on the UPI Ecosystem”, with ToneTag providing the technology layer for the IoT-based payment experience.
By integrating payment capabilities into the connected vehicle, DrivePay is designed to provide a secure, convenient and contactless way to pay for fuel without relying on a smartphone during the transaction.
IndianOil loyalty programme integrated
DrivePay will also integrate IndianOil’s XTRAREWARDS loyalty programme, allowing eligible customers to earn reward points without sharing 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.
This combination could create a foundation for wider applications across in-vehicle payments, commerce and digital services as connected mobility gains traction.
ToneTag eyes wider mobility ecosystem
Following the implementation of DrivePay with TATA.CARS, ToneTag plans to explore opportunities to extend its payment technology across the broader connected mobility ecosystem.
The company said it will explore collaborations with other automotive OEMs and mobility ecosystem players to enable similar in-vehicle payment and commerce experiences.
“Payments are rapidly moving beyond traditional interfaces such as cards and smartphones, and connected devices are emerging as the next frontier for commerce. With DrivePay, powered by ToneTag, we are bringing an IoT-based UPI Circle payment experience directly into the connected vehicle. This initiative with IndianOil, TATA.CARS and NPCI demonstrates how payment infrastructure can seamlessly extend into connected devices, enabling the vehicle itself to become a secure payment interface. We believe this is an important step towards a future where mobility, payments and commerce are seamlessly connected,” said ToneTag, Co-Founder and Director – Labs, Vivek Kumar Singh.
With its connected car solution, ToneTag is seeking to bring payments closer to the points where consumers interact with their vehicles, opening up possibilities for more seamless and connected commerce experiences.
Deep-tech platform focused on connected payments
ToneTag is the brand of Naffa Innovations Pvt. Ltd., a Bengaluru-headquartered deep-tech platform that uses AI, blockchain and sound-based technologies to transform everyday devices into intelligent financial endpoints.
The company’s latest initiative extends this approach into connected mobility, positioning the vehicle itself as a potential interface for digital payments and other commerce-related services.