DS Automobiles launches payment by car key

Customers who purchase a DS 3 Connected Chic model during September will receive the integrated car key, allowing them to make purchases up to the eligible spending limit of £30 at more than 490,000 locations across the UK.

Customers will also be able to track their spending, top up their balance, and take control to block or cancel the contactless payment element using the dedicated bPay app, available on iPhone or Android devices.

Mark Blundell, UK marketing director at DS Automobiles UK, said: “At DS we’re always looking at how we can credibly complement our customer’s active lifestyles, where staying connected and being able to easily interact with the world is key. With the combination of connectivity features integrated into DS 3 Connected Chic models, and the ability to make those must have purchases by using one integrated device – with the DS contactless payment car key, we really feel we have achieved this.”

The DS 3 Connected Chic models also includes key connected vehicle technologies, including Apple CarPlay, which replicates the driver’s smartphone screen onto the 7-inch colour touchscreen in the centre console.

bPay is a contactless payment service from Barclaycard, with a pre-paid account that links to most major credit or debit cards.

It supplies the RFID-enabled payment system in a range of devices, including a wrist band, key chain and sticker.

Earlier this year, it agreed deals to fit the technology to jewellery, in mobile phone cases and sewn into clothing.

First introduced in 2015, the bPay range has recorded more than 1 million transactions since its launch.