Apple is developing a new CarPlay feature that will allow drivers to pay for petrol from their vehicle's dashboard.
Beginning this autumn, Apple CarPlay users will be to simply tap on an app to purchase fuel straight from their car, skipping the usual credit card process at the pump.
“Fuel and driving” tasks will be available to CarPlay users with the coming iOS 16 update, Apple's developer guide shows.
The feature was quietly unveiled at an Apple news conference last month, Reuters reported.
HF Sinclair, which markets its petrol at 1,600 stations in the US, told Reuters it plans to use the CarPlay feature and that it will announce more details in the coming months.
To use the feature, iPhone users will have to download a petrol company's app to their handset and enter their payment details. Once that is done, they will be able to use their navigation screen to activate a fuel pump and pay.
Petrol company app developers can only display fuelling stations on maps when submitting a task app for approval, the developer's guide said. The app must also provide “meaningful functionality relevant to driving”.
The feature adds to a growing list of apps the technology company is making available for users, including those that can be used for parking, ordering food and charging electric vehicles.
Apple is also adding driving task features to its CarPlay system that will allow users to log distances travelled during business trips.
The Apple iPod through the years - in pictures
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The Apple iPod 1st generation was released October 23, 2001. It cost $399, and had 5GB storage holding 1,000 songs. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod 2nd generation was released July 17, 2002. It came with 10GB of storage for $399 and later a 20GB version was released for $499. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod 3rd generation was released April 28, 2003 and started making use of the iTunes store. It was the first to have an all-touch wheel to scroll. Prices ranged from $299 to $499 depending on storage size. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod mini 1st generation was released January 6, 2004. This was the first time the click wheel was used and the pod came in five different colours - blue, pink, silver, green, and gold. It sold for $249. Photo: Getty Images -
The Apple iPod 4th generation was released July 19, 2004. The function buttons were moved on to the wheel. A 20 GB model sold for $299, while a 40 GB model was available for $399. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod 4th generation with a colour screen was released October 26, 2004. Album covers could be seen for the first time and the shuffle function was introduced. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod U2 Edition was released at the same time as the 4th generation. It held up to 5,000 songs and featured a black enclosure with a red click wheel and custom engraving of U2 band member signatures. It retailed at $349. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod shuffle 1st generation was released January 11, 2005. A first entry to the low-end market, it had no screen and just buttons to play / pause, next song or previous. The 512MB model sold for $99, while the 1GB model sold for $149. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod mini 2nd generation was released February 22, 2005. It had just minor changes from the first generation mini, and the 4GB version sold for $199, while the 6GB model sold for $249. Photo: Getty Images -
The Apple iPod 6th generation was released September 5, 2007. It came in a 160GB model for $349. Photo: Apple -
The Apple Nano iPod 1st generation was released September 7, 2005. This was a super thin iPod at just 0.27in thick. It used flash memory for storage, and sold at $199 and $249 for 4BG and 6GB respectively. Photo: Getty Images -
The Apple iPod 5th generation was released October 12, 2005. This had a larger screen, smaller wheel and played video. In 2005, Apple also released the iPod nano and iPod shuffle. Photo: Apple -
The Apple Nano iPod 2nd generation was released September 12, 2006. More colour options were added, plus an 8GB version for $249. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod shuffle 2nd generation was released September 12, 2006. A small, clip-on size was introduced in a variety of colours. A dock replaced the integrated USB connector. With 1GB is was $79. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod Nano 3rd generation was released September 5, 2007. A big change in shape to allow video display. The 4GB model was $149, while the 8GB model was $199. Photo: Getty Images -
The Apple iPod Touch 1st generation was released September 5, 2007. It was basically the iPhone without the camera and phone capabilities. An 8GB model sold for $299, and a 16 GB model sold for $399. Photo: Apple -
The Apple Nano iPod 4th generation was released September 9, 2008. It was a return to the rectangular shape, while the "Genius" playlist option was introduced. It had bigger capacity, came in nine colours and was $149 and $199 for 8GB and 16GB respectively. Photo: Getty Images -
The Apple iPod Touch 2nd generation was released September 9, 2008. It featured the new iPhone 2.0 OS and a curved back. An 8GB model was $229, a 16GB model was $299, and a 32GB model was $399. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod shuffle 3rd generation was released March 11, 2009. A shape change saw it go back to rectangular. It included Apple's new VoiceOver feature, with song title, artist, and playlist title spoken aloud. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod Nano 5th generation was released September 9, 2009. An integrated video camera, FM radio and pedometer were added. 8GB and 16 GB cost $149 and $179 respectively. Photo: Getty Images -
The Apple iPod Touch 3rd generation was released September 9, 2009. Faster and with greater capacity, it came in 32GB and 64GB for $299 and $399 respectively. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod Nano 6th generation was released September 1, 2010. It was goodbye click wheel and hello touch screen. The camera was removed, while it was sold in seven colors, in capacities of 8 and 16 GB, for $149 and $179, respectively. Photo: Getty Images -
The Apple iPod shuffle 4th generation was released September 1, 2010. It shrunk in size again and was sold with 2GB of storage for $49, in five colours. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod Touch 4th generation was released September 1, 2010. It brought in iPhone 4 enhancements such as retina display, front and rear cameras. 8GB was $229, 32GB was $299 and 64GB $399. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod Nano 7th generation was released September 12, 2012. Another change in shape - back to tall and thin. It sold in eight colours, with 16GB of storage for $149. Photo: Getty Images -
The Apple iPod Touch 5th generation was released September 12, 2012. A bigger 4in screen was added, plus Bluetooth 4.0 and the lightning connector. 32GB was $299 and 64GB $399. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod Touch 6th generation was released July 15, 2015. The A8 processor found in the iPhone 6 was brought in, plus better cameras. 16 GB was sold for $199, 32 GB for $249, 64GB for $299 and 128GB for $399. Photo: Apple -
The Apple iPod Touch 7th generation was released May 28, 2019. The quad-core A10 chip from the iPhone 7 was used, and Apple said it had a 40-hour battery life for music. It coincided with the launch of Apple Arcade games. 32, 128, and 256GB cost $199, $299 and $399 respectively. Photo: Apple
