Upgrading gas pumps to accept EMV chip cards is a complex affair for convenience stores and gas stations that involves installing new card-reading hardware and software, testing, and certifications. Many fuel retailers are expected to miss next October’s automated fuel-dispenser liability shift, and software is proving to be one of the major reasons.
In a Tuesday update about the EMV fuel-pump conversion and related issues, the U.S. Payments Forum urged gas stations and c-stores to forge ahead with pump upgrades, even if needed software currently isn’t available. “Retailers in the petroleum environment are encouraged to upgrade and certify hardware even with software not available rather than waiting to make the transition in one phase,” the Princeton Junction, N.J.-based trade group said in a statement posted on its Web site.