Jakes de Kock, Business Fuel Cards
If there's one thing we've learnt from both our customers and prospective customers, it's that not one type of fuel card suits every kind of company in the UK. Each company operates in a very different and individual way and fuel cards need to mirror this; offering the most appropriate solution on a case by case basis.
To offer a single product to all simply is not appropriate. To ensure each company receives the most cost effective solution, an initial analysis can be completed to establish the fundamental needs of that particular business. For example, most "Fixed price" fuel cards are aimed at diesel users. While these cards may be suitable for a courier or haulier, they probably wouldn't suit a company with a fleet of petrol cars.
So what card options do companies have? Each fuel card
operates on a set network of fuel stations, some cards offer access to
a single brand of fuel i.e. Shell or Esso, other cards offer a
"Multi-branded" network such as Texaco Fastfuel or the Keyfuels network.
Fuel
cards are also split into two categories, "Fixed price" and "Pump
price". The former offer a set weekly rate for fuel, typically saving
around 3-4p per litre off the pump prices; where as with the "Pump
price" cards, you simply pay the price displayed at the pump at the
time of each transaction.
1) How many vehicles do you operate?
2) Are these vehicles diesel, petrol, other fuels or a mixture of all?
3) Do you need special access to fuel stations? I.e. high canopy for HGV access or 24hr opening.
4) Where are the vehicles based and what are their areas of travel?
With the answers to these questions companies can; search for fuel cards, gather information about their benefits and find the right card for their needs.
Businessfuelcards.co.uk offers a side by side comparison for a wide variety of both "Fixed price" and "Pump price" fuel cards. A synopsis about each card is given with more detailed information available at the click of a button. Companies looking into purchasing fuel cards can use this comparison chart in conjunction with the answers to the questions above to establish the right card and network.
Finding the right combination of network, coverage and price is the key to finding the right fuel card. There is little point getting a fuel card which will save you 3p per litre on diesel if there are no filling stations that accept this card around you or where you travel.
To help locate these sites, companies can use our online "Site locator" to view sites around a particular postcode or town, or in a particular region. Our interactive maps show the exact location of each fuel station for each card, ensuring that companies can choose the best fuel card network based on their areas of travel.
Purchasing
fuel cards should not be a quick decision because there are many
factors to consider and a variety of fuel cards on offer. It is vital
to have accurate and up to date information on fuel cards, and to be
able to deal with a team of experienced staff to help answer any
questions you may have.
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Post Date: November 12th, 2009