Maximising efficiency with fuel cards
Alex Wolfe, head of fuel cards at Certas Energy, considers how fuel cards can provide driver-friendly payment solutions and improved fuel management
The UK continues to process the effects of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, as seen by ongoing HGV driver shortages and concerns about delivering supply of road fuel to meet consumer demand.
At the same time, the target of Net Zero Carbon 2050 is approaching quickly, which means it is now more important than ever for fleet operators to find ways to be more fuel efficient, and to get the most value out of the fuel they use. Signing up for a fuel card offers a smart, convenient solution.
Fuel cards improve efficiency and add value to a fleet of any size, as drivers can pay for fuel using a company-issued fuel card instead of dealing with credit cards or time-consuming expense claims.
Signing up to a fuel card provides businesses with a secure, cashless payment solution. Each fuel card then gives drivers access to a broad network of refuelling sites, where they can not only benefit from stable pricing, but can also avoid handling cash during the pandemic.
The Certas Energy fuel card is accepted at almost 3,400 refuelling sites across the UK, including all main motorway refuelling locations as well as a large number of supermarkets. Cards offer fixed weekly pricing, Platts-linked pricing and discounts on diesel purchases at Certas Energy refuelling sites nationwide.
Prices for AdBlue and gas oil are also fixed at many sites, meaning customers are not impacted by external market fluctuations and can plan in advance for outgoings.
Unlike cash or credit cards, fuel cards can only be used on specific fuel expenses, so they help to alleviate the risk of fraud or misuse. The Certas Energy fuel card offers clear audit trails, so fleet managers can track driver spending while benefiting from transparent billing – offering peace of mind with no administration fees.
Our fuel cards are also able to integrate with the latest telematics systems, offering transport operators a complete view of fleet fuel spend and vehicle activity for accurate miles-per-gallon figures and fraud detection.
Getting every driver back on the road faster after refuelling is an important way to maximise efficiency. With that in mind, Certas Energy offers almost 30 specialist high-speed HGV refuelling bunker sites, as well as a number of LCV/LGV refuelling locations. These specialist HGV sites enable refuelling at up to 120 litres per minute, compared to just 40-60 litres per minute at a standard motorway forecourt, which saves crucial time for drivers on the road.
The value of this became even clearer during the recent fuel crisis – as Certas Energy’s high-speed refuelling sites are not open to domestic car users, we were able to fill 36,000 HGVs in a single week. We also provide personalised maps of all fuel card-friendly forecourts and high-speed refuelling sites along chosen routes, which makes it easy for drivers to find the closest source of fixed-price fuel.
When signing up for a Certas Energy fuel card, customers can now also choose to add carbon offsetting to their purchases, just as they would when purchasing bulk fuel. Carbon offsetting is, of course, not a standalone solution for achieving net zero carbon. However, it is vital for transport operators to offset unavoidable emissions as they manage their transition to cleaner-burning alternatives. Certas Energy makes it easy: fuel card customers can sign up to automatically offset carbon emissions for every litre of fuel purchased.
The right fuel card will ensure that consistent ordering is well-rewarded. For additional cost savings, Certas Energy customers are able to purchase discounted fuel in bulk volumes of between 5,000 and 500,000 litres via our Diesel Network Transfer. Individual fuel card holders can also take advantage of the Certas Energy Extras loyalty scheme, which offers discounts and cashback across hundreds of high street brands.
Fuel management is a crucial consideration for maximising fleet efficiency. After all, fuel accounts for a significant 35 per cent of fleet operating costs, on average.
Fuel cards offer an ideal solution, but it is essential to make the right choice of fuel card. In order to achieve the most benefit, fleet operators should consider the required levels of control and transparency as well as the cost and convenience on offer.
More information on Certas Energy’s fuel card is available at the website.
