(Image source from: Autocar professional)

An Indian state-owned oil and natural gas company Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and AGS Transact Technologies Limited (AGSTTL) has announced a strategic partnership to make a purchase of fuel easier and flexible.

HPCL and AGS have come up with a new idea of launching HP-fast lane machine which provides Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to deliver cashless payment solutions and bring intended outcome in fuel management by installing smart fuel pump technology.

The company aims to issue with this HP-Fast lane, 1 lakh Fastlane fuel tags across Mumbai.

Across Mumbai, Vashi, and Thane, the company will open 18 live HP-Fastlane pumps for end-consumers by July 1 this year.

DN Krishnamurthy Chief General Manager West Zone HPCL said, "As India’s leading oil and gas company it has been HPCL's constant endeavor to embrace cutting-edge technological solutions to improve the customer's experience while availing our products and services."

The app can be accessed on android and iOS platforms, as well through the web or HP-Fastlane mobile application. It enables customers to record their vehicle details and load money in the wallet of prepaid HP-Fastlane when needed. The RFID ring fitted in the vehicle's fuel tank will ensure just the right amount of fuel is distributed, thus avoiding fuel proliferation when the enrolled vehicle reaches an HP-Fastlane enabled petrol pump.

It works rapidly, first, the customer needs to install, Smart RFID Tag – a "contactless microprocessor-based smart ring" in the vehicle which identifies the vehicle to the Site Controller, it hardly cost Rs. 500 which is one time nominal charges for activation then free of cost for lifetime.

How does app work?

- Download HP-Fastlane app from Google or Apple play store and to enroll enter the applicable information.

- The app user can load money in the HP-Fastlane wallet through debit/credit/net banking and preset the amount of fuel intended to buy.

- As a vehicle enters the petrol pump, vehicle and payment information is verified by nozzle reader, which is done through Smart RFID Tag.

- If the reader is satisfied that it is an authorized vehicle, the pump received reset authorization from cloud and fuelling will begin.

- After fuelling, the rider can merely drive away without a need to make payments through hard cash.

The company is preparing to install Fastlane solution across 200 HPCL outlets pan India, in a phased manner.

An individual can as well request the AGSTTL sales representative in person to complete the enrolment formalities at any involved HPCL Fuel Station.

By Sowmya Sangam