Cars with Amazon Alexa to allow voice payments at petrol stations

US owners of Amazon Alexa-enabled cars will have the option to pay for fuel through the voice assistant later this year. The feature will allow drivers to carry out voice payments at Exxon and Mobil petrol stations. The move is part of Amazon's push to make Alexa an assistant throughout a user's day rather than just at home.

After dominating smart homes, Alexa has set its sights on cars.

Since 2017, Amazon has unveiled partnerships with major automakers to bring its Alexa voice assistant to new models from Ford, Audi, BMW and Toyota.

The company announced Monday that it's adding a head-turning supercar to that lineup: the Huracan Evo sports car from Automobili Lamborghini. Also joining the crowd are Rivian's all-electric R1S SUV, R1T truck and its upcoming fleet of 100,000 delivery vans for Amazon.

Added to that, later this year, customers with Alexa-enabled cars or car accessories will be able to say, "Alexa, pay for gas," to buy fuel at 11,500 Exxon and Mobil stations.

Amazon is pushing into cars as part of its effort to expand Alexa's scope far beyond the home, making the digital helper an all-day assistant. It's also working to grow in automotive to fend off rivals Apple and Google, which have installed their own automotive software into vehicles from carmakers including Acura, Buick and Honda. While Lamborghini and Rivian are much more niche carmakers, Amazon may be able to use those partnerships to build its credibility in the auto world.

Amazon also said Monday that Fiat Chrysler plans to be one of the first carmakers to integrate Amazon's Fire TV entertainment platform into its rear-seat TV sets.

More Alexa car accessories will be unveiled at CES 2020, along with the international expansion of Amazon's Echo Auto car gadget, starting with India on Jan. 15, Amazon said.

Originally published Jan. 6.