Z Energy to expand number plate recognition payment system across New Zealand

Some 40 gas stations will now allow drivers to fill up and leave due to camera recognition technology.

After a successful trial period across nine sites, New Zealand’s fuel retailer Z Energy will roll out its hand-free, number plate recognition payment system across 40 gas stations.

Z Energy new payment system “Fastlane” allows drivers to pull in, fill up and be on their way without leaving their car, touching their phone or even their wallet. At the pump, onsite cameras instantaneously read and validate the vehicle’s registration plate against a secure customer database.

The retailer started trialling the system in December 2017 and has seen a positive impact. By the end of the week, 40 stations throughout Auckland and the North Island will be able to include the company’s Fastlanes, reported NZHerald.

The technology allows for recording multiple number plates to a single payment card so parents can pay for their children's fuel or employees can fill up on the company account.

"It's not for everyone, in the same sense that if you want to deal with a bank, you can go into the branch, online or call them up - different people have different preferences and we see fastlane as another choice,” said Z Energy innovation manager, Pete Robson.

Z Energy is a New Zealand fuel distributor with a network of 200 gas stations.