ExxonMobil Launches Apple Watch Support in 'Speedpass+' iOS App

Friday May 5, 2017 5:25 AM PDT by Mitchel Broussard
ExxonMobil this week announced an update to its Speedpass+ iOS app, which gives users the ability to pay for fuel and car washes using their Apple Watch and Apple Pay at over 10,000 participating Exxon and Mobil refueling stations across the United States.

For the Apple Watch payments process, users will have to navigate to the Speedpass+ watch app, select the pump they are at, authorize it for payment, and double-tap the side button to bring up Apple Pay. Once the payment is processed, users can begin fueling up their vehicle.

“With these updates to the Speedpass+ app, consumers now have even more options to pay for fuel while sitting in the comfort of their car – either using Ford SYNC 3 or the Apple Watch,” said Matt Bergeron, vice president of marketing for ExxonMobil Fuels, Lubricants & Specialties Marketing Company.

“This is more than a cashless payment app; it is a platform that earns and redeems Plenti loyalty points and manages receipts. With ExxonMobil’s heritage and commitment to innovation, the Speedpass+ app continues to bring new benefits to its users.”
The update also comes with a new "Ford SYNC 3" feature that lets Speedpass+ app users easily authorize fuel payments using voice commands or an in-car touch screen, as well as check how much fuel is in the tank when away from their car using the app.

The new Speedpass+ update follows the app's introduction of Apple Pay in March of 2016, which introduced the ability to pay for fuel using an iPhone and Apple's mobile wallet. Exxon's Apple Pay solution doesn't use NFC reader technology, instead focusing on software within the app to use GPS and QR codes in order to authorize fuel payments.

Fuel companies have slowly begun to adopt Apple Pay over the years, with Chevron opening up a pilot program for Apple Pay fuel payments at a few of its stations in San Francisco in 2015. A few vehicle manufacturers have also rolled out Apple Pay support directly within their infotainment systems, with Jaguar and Shell partnering up to allow drivers in the United Kingdom to pay for fuel with Apple Pay insider their car.

ExxonMobil Speedpass+ is available to download for free on the iOS App Store. [Direct Link]

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4
Tag: ExxonMobil
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
41 comments


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Glassed Silver
13 months ago

For the Apple Watch payments process, users will have to navigate to the Speedpass+ watch app


This is the step that makes the magic take a massive hit.

Glassed Silver:ios
Rating: 5 Votes
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thisisnotmyname
13 months ago
I want Apple Pay at the pump. I know that will be one of the last places to receive it but it will be a very happy day for me. I'm tired of walking into Chevron. At least there are pilot programs going.
Rating: 4 Votes
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alphaod
13 months ago
This is awesome. I love the Speedpass app. I can pay before getting out of my car ready to start pumping.
Rating: 3 Votes
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thisisnotmyname
13 months ago

Why are you walking inside? Are you paying in cash?

Anyways,I refuse to download an app or join a loyalty program just to use contactless payments. That's idiotic. And navigate to the app on the AppleWatch? In the stupid jumble of apps where you can't see or find anything? Dock is already full. No thanks. That takes longer than just swiping my card.


I walk inside to use Apple Pay. They take it at the POS inside but can't take it at the pump.
Rating: 2 Votes
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UMJonny
13 months ago
I don't see why you need a special app to pay at the pump. When i buy gas, i use my watch with the contactless reader at the pump. The WaWa near me has them.

When they first introduced apple pay in their app, i was all about it. My problem was either finding an exxon-mobil station or finding a station that actually supported this system. I never did get a chance to use it.
Rating: 2 Votes
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Jakexb
13 months ago
This is basically Exxon's version of CurrentC.

Probably not intentionally. They were ahead of the contactless curve with SpeedPass and invested in proprietary hardware at all their pumps.
Rating: 2 Votes
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coolbreeze
13 months ago
And lol at the stickers on gas pumps that say "turn off all cellphones and electronic devices."

Now someone is gonna cause gas vapors to ignite.

(I know, myth busters..but it's a funny change in tune)
Rating: 2 Votes
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Rigby
13 months ago
The gas stations should finally add standard contactless payments at the pump rather than these convoluted systems. Tap and go. But I guess they want you to sign up for these loyalty programs so they can track your purchases.
Rating: 2 Votes
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Roller
12 months ago

That is not any different than if you use a credit card. Like AlliFlowers mentioned, the only way to avoid that is to pay cash. Are you really that concerned Exxon knows where you bought fuel?


Agree. And my purchases from other merchants, especially specialty shops, say a lot more about me than where I buy gas, which everyone who drives a non-electric vehicle needs. I feel a lot safer buying by credit card than I would using cash.
Rating: 1 Votes
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Weaselboy
13 months ago

I think you may be misunderstanding his comment. The question is not why Apple Pay is advantageous (it clearly is), but rather why a separate app is. If anything, the security issue you describe would be better handled with Apple Pay and *not* this separate app-based approach.


I understand. I was only addressing the second part of this comment.

I think part of what delays this is spending money for one or two devices inside at the register, vs. twelve or so new devices out at each pump. I'm not defending it, I'm just speculating why this is happening.

Anyways,I refuse to download an app or join a loyalty program just to use contactless payments.

Rating: 1 Votes
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