RHA and FTA team up to offer members cheaper fuel

By Categories: Commercial NewsPublished On: Monday 13 May 2013

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The Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association were using their presence at the CV Show last month to promote their new joint-venture fuel card, which offers their members exclusive access to discounted fuel.

Launched in March, the RHA FTA Fuel Card, which is being offered to FTA and RHA members in partnership with The Fuelcard Company, utilises the associations’ membership to achieve a competitive weekly price.

At the NEC in April, FTA and RHA told Transport Operator that the scheme had been well-received by members so far, with customers applying for approximately £2 million per month spend on the card.

The initiative is particularly advantageous for small to medium-sized fleets, the associations said, which are likely to benefit the most from the improved price.

Said FTA: “At a time when fuel represents nearly 40 per cent of operators’ costs, it is essential that every penny is made to count. The RHA FTA Fuel Card utilises The Fuelcard Company’s online fuel management systems ensuring that operators can keep a careful eye on exactly how every penny has been spent.

“And with all transactions listed on a single, VAT approved EU 6th Directive compliant e-invoice, it means not only an end to piles of receipts and cash claims, drivers don’t need to carry cash which in turn, reduces risk of loss or theft.”

The RHA FTA Fuel card operates on the Keyfuels network, and can be used at more than 1,600 sites nationwide – one in five of all UK fuel stations. Many of the sites offer fast-flow pumps for HGVs, and a third have capacity for HGVs up to 44 tonnes.

Said RHA: “The RHA FTA fuel card represents great value for money.  At a time when fuel accounts for well over a third of an operators’ costs, this is the one card they can’t be without.  Managing fuel spend and fuel use are key to the success of any transport enterprise and for today’s hauliers, fuel costs cover more than just filling the tank. RHA FTA Fuelcard users can be confident that they really are getting the most out of their tank.”

Customers receive a weekly fixed price for their fuel, either by email or text, based on the bulk fuel market.
Based on national average pump prices for January to December 2012, for an average weekly volume of 30,000 litres, FTA claims the scheme could offer annual savings on the national pump price of over £50,000.

The cards are linked specifically to the company, driver or vehicle, with zero liability protection available as an optional extra, to negate the hidden costs which can be associated with lost or stolen fuel cards. Managers can also place spending limits on cards for added security.

The card is being offered for free for the first year, with no contract to sign and no cancellation fee to pay should the user decide not to continue using it. After the first year, a fee of £6 per card per year will apply.

As part of the package, members can access The Fuelcard Company’s online fuel management systems including fuel consumption and CO2 reporting, as well as a smartphone app which helps drivers find fuel stations. Meanwhile, an online site locator allows fuel site information to be downloaded straight into the driver’s satnav.

Lee Atkinson, The Fuelcard Company’s partnership manager, said: “The Fuelcard Company is committed to supporting the needs of the transport sector and through our partnership with the RHA and FTA, we are able to extend the benefits of a fuel card to their extensive member networks.  A fuel card offers the tools to monitor fuel expenditure and usage; an indispensable resource in keeping track of every drop used.”
Quentin Willson, spokesman for the FairFuelUK campaign to lower fuel duty, has also expressed his support for the scheme.

“The Fuelcard Company, the RHA and FTA have backed our attempts to get a fairer deal on fuel duty almost from day one.  Without them and the other backers, the campaign wouldn’t exist.  I’m delighted that they have now joined forces to offer a really practical way of helping fleet users to save vital pennies on retail prices.”

Campaign founder Peter Carroll added: “Having run a UK based haulage firm myself, I know that fuel costs in the sector are the number one priority for operators.  I wish all three organisations the very best in making a success of this new card.”

www.ftafuel.co.uk