Fuel Cards – The Benefits
The first and most obvious benefit of fuel cards would have to be the possibility of buying petrol, diesel or other fuel at a discounted price. This is important especially because of the fluctuation and rise in fuel prices. Any business within or associated with the transport industry will benefit greatly from using a fuel card system whether it be a transportation business or a company with a fleet of cars. You do not have to give your drivers or employees cash and all the invoices come with tax shown individually. This is important for your business because it smoothes the progress of tax recovery.
Fuel cards can be programmed in such a way that a business can use them to buy one type of fuel or more depending on your needs. Because the fuel cards use Smartchip technology the number of fuelling transactions can be limited. These and other advantages make the fuel card more and more popular for both business and even individual use.
Fuel cards eliminate the need for businesses to carry costly stocks of fuels. Because of its extensive network of outlets, drivers can fill up around the country at a time and a place that best suits the individual. Businesses also benefit by paying a uniform price for fuel at each and every authorised filling station around the country. Discount of between three and four pence per litre on pump prices is also another benefit. The logging and tracking data that is provided by the fuel card supplier enables far greater and easier cost management.
For UK & Irish hauliers travelling further afield, a European fuel card can be obtained which can be used at 3000 locations across mainland Europe including UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Luxembourg. This card is invaluable to the international haulier or business. The demand for European fuel cards is growing at a pace. Increasingly international hauliers are opting for the European card, because in many cases fuel is cheaper on the continent than it is in the UK.
Some fuel cards are multi-purpose and cover fuel, tolls, etc, but the haulier is paying a premium for the privilege. Individual cards are much more cost effective and offer bigger discounts. With multi-purpose cards hauliers are paying for convenience. It is found that many motorway toll cards offer a 20% discount off the standard toll prices. These toll cards come in quite sophisticated forms for example the TIS-PL electronic road toll pass system in France which attaches to the windscreen. When approaching a toll gate, the barrier senses the TIS-PL and it automatically lifts. When travelling one or more countries, a toll card enables your journey will be quicker because you do not have to queue in line and pay the tolls by cash. Therefore you do not have to have extra money for the tolls which is especially useful should a business have a high number of vehicles. As with fuel cards, each time the toll pass is used it is logged down and shown on the invoice.
About the Author:
Fuelcards.com is based in the UK, and offers fuel cards for use throughout the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and also mainland Europe fuel cards.
Author: Jenny Andrew