Car IQ Inc. is expanding its cardless payment network of convenience-store and fuel-station locations through partnerships with PDI Technologies and EverWash, a car wash membership platform.
Car IQ Pay, based in San Francisco, said it is partnering with Alpharetta, Georgia-based PDI Technologies, the parent of mobile app GasBuddy,on mobile payment technology that allows convenience stores to process cardless payments, the company announced.
Through the alliances, Car IQ Pay is gaining new merchant locations in PDI’s network. By connecting to PDI through the mPAY API, drivers can pay for c-store purchase or fuel purchases using Car IQ Pay’s payment network, the company said.
Car IQ works with Shell, Sunoco, Sinclair and Kum & Go on contactless fuel payments, the company said.
“We have been live at Kum & Go since late last fall and it’s working well for fleets to purchase fuel. We are operational with Kum & Go but only live for fuel now,” a spokesperson said.
The Car IQ Pay program is geared to commercial fleets and allows retailers to provide targeted offers to drivers based on vehicle data and driver behavior, said PDI Technologies, which offers a full suite of enterprise technology, logistics and loyalty-program services for c-stores and fuel stations. The company in mid-June unveiled an EV hub with insights and other useful information on electric vehicles.
“Working with PDI allows us to expand our merchant and customer base across the U.S. to better serve fleets by providing a seamless way for drivers to transact for fuel and make c-store purchases,” said Matt Nicholson, senior vice president of merchant commercialization at Car IQ.
By accepting Car IQ, c-stores and fuel stations can gain customer sales, PDI said. PDI has access to more than 200,000 locations from its Fuel Rewards and GasBuddy programs.
“Expanding into the Car IQ network is a strategic benefit for our c-store and fuel customers,” said Mike Melson, senior vice president and general manager of payments and loyalty at PDI Technologies. “The ability to simplify the payment process for purchases gives retailers direct access to commercial drivers. Retailers can identify and communicate with fleets via targeted offers based on vehicle data and driver behavior.”
In a separate announcement in May, Car IQ said it was working with Philadelphia-based EverWash to expand its fleet payment solution and allow for contactless payments at EverWash’s 800 car wash locations. “We’re committed to creating the greatest customer experience in the car wash industry, and fleets are a major focus for us,” said Scott Pashley, chief revenue officer at EverWash.
A Car IQ spokesperson said the EverWash partnership will allow fleet customers toconnect directly to the payment and invoicing system and pay without using a credit card. The company, founded in 2016, has received private investment to scale its subscription business and expand to more locations. EverWash also works with existing car wash locations through its EverWash Direct program.
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