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C K A C F uel cards help remove the risk of fraud when
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filling up, offer discounts on forecourt prices and provide an effective way of monitoring how much diesel each vehicle or driver is using. But they do have limitations. Each card can only be used at a certain number of outlets and not all of these may be easily accessible or tailored to the needs of trucks. Fuel card fraud is estimated to cost £40m a year so security features may be more important than the administration charges or the speed with which bills have to be paid. CM compares what some of the leading brands offer to hauliers.
ALISTAR
• This is the most popular fuel card in the UK and its extensive coverage includes supermarkets, allowing users to shop around for the lowest price. The fuel management information system highlights which drivers are failing to find the best deal. Outlets: Around 12,000 in the UK but only arouna 200 sites are suitable for HGVs. Also accepted in Ireland.
Cost Depends on the number of cards required and volumes being purchased. A deposit may be required if a customer has been trading for less than two years. Bilint Invoicing is flexible and payment is usually between a week arid a fortnight by direct debit.
Security: An on-line management system, which highlights suspect transactions, now covers 60% of outlets and will provide total coverage by the end of the year. Cancellation takes effect immediately.
Contact Arval PHH on 01793 887000 or www.allstarbiz
BP PLUS
• BP claims to have the pest on-line fuel management systems available, enabling users to configure reports to meet their specific needs.
Outlets: 1,250 in the UK of which 550 are tailored for HGVs. There are 14,000 outlets throughout Europe available if the card is upgraded to BP Plus Europa.
Cost: Issued free. Discounts are available, depending on volumes.
Billing: Negotiable but on average this card provides three weeks' credit. Security: Only the BP Plus Europa currently has a PIN. Card use can be restricted to particular individuals and/or vehicles. Cancellation is immediate via the webstte.
Contact BP Fuel Cards on 0800 585104 or www.bpfuelcards.co.uk.
CSC GREEN CARD
• A standard price is applied nationally and is generally lower than those of garage forecourts. Fuel management reports show where, when and how much fuel is bought with each card. Outlets: More than 400 in the UK through the UK Fuels network.
Cost Issued free.
Billing: Usually monthly with payment by direct debit. Average credit period is 30 days.
Security: Some sites have terminals for drivers who have to enter a PIN before making a transaction. Cancellation takes effect within 24 hours.
Contact CSC Group on 02830 266202 or www.cscgroup.org.uk.
• CH Jones supplies this care through more than 90 agents, with each one buying its own fuel in bulk.
Outlets: Around 900 in the UK only.
Cost Varies according to individual agents. Bayford &, Co charges £6 a year. Billing: Varies according to individual agents. Abbey Group invoices weekly and payment is by direct debit. Its average credit period is 21days.
Security: CH Jones is currently rolling out a new microchip smart card which is impossible to clone and allows customers to specify when, where and how often fuel can be drawn. Cancellation takes effect immediately.
Contact: The main agents include Abbey Group on 01235 772990 or wwwabbeygroup.comk; Bayford & Co on 01937 840084 or www.bayford.co.uk; and CPL Petroleum on 08000 193132 or www.cplpetroleum.co.uk.
DIESELINE
• Benefits include a standard national price which is pm-agreed, and automate roadside assistance from Delta Rescue which specialises in CV breakdown recovery. Fuel management reports break down the amount of fuel drawn by card number, vehicle registration, location, quantity and date.
Outlets: 900 in UK only, including BP Truckstops.
Cost: £6 a year, but there are no handling or service charges.
Mint Weekly and payable on average after 30 days.
Security: Each card has a PIN and is restricted to diesel and lubricant purchases only. Irregular usage is reported to customers and cancellation takes effect immediately.
Contact: Total Butler on 0800 393553 or www.totalbutlerco.uk
DKV EURO SERVICE
• Removes the headache of reclaiming VAT on fuel from different countries. The card can be used for parking, tolls and ferries as well.
Outlets: 17,000 throughout Europe and nearly all cater for HGVs.
Cost Issued free. The administration charge for providing invoices net of VAT varies from country to country.
Billing: Every two weeks net of VAT and payable within 25 days.
Security: Each card has a PIN and is specific to each vehicle. Cancellation takes effect immediately.
Contact DKV on 0208 313 3565 or www.dkv-euroservice.com
EUROSHELL
• The CRT card is for diesel and oil purchases in the UK only and the international card can also be used for ferry crossings, tolls and truck washing across Europe, offering a VAT recovery service. Outlets: All Shell service stations in the UK, of which 400 are suitable for HGVs. Cost: Both cards are issued free but a chargeable on-line system is replacing paper management reports for the CRT card.
Mliat Invoices are twice monthly and payment is by direct debit. Average credit is 35 days.
Security: Ensured by a variety of methods including PIN and on-line authorisation.
Contact euroShell on 0800 7313137 or www.euroShell.com
IDS
III Removes the headache of reclaiming VAT on fuel from different countries. Purchases are restricted to fuel, lubricants and gas oil for reefers. Services include daily and weekly fuel management reports.
Outlets: 750 in 24 European countries. Each site is accessible to trucks and is open 24-hours-a-day.
Cost Issued free. The administration charge for providing invoices net of VAT varies from country to country.
BIling: Invoices are produced twice a month and payment is by direct debit 10 days after the invoice date.
Security: Transactions require drivers to input a PIN. Cancellation takes effect within 24 hours in the UK and 48 hours across Europe, provided notification by fax is received before 3.30pm.
Contact: IDS on 01784 467660 or www.ids.q8.com
FASTFUEL
• Texaco supplies this card through its subsidiary Team Flitwick and several agents. The free management reporting system can be used to calculate individual vehicle mileage and detect suspect usage. A standard price is applied nationwide.
Outlets: 1,200 Texaco service stations (not all are tailored for HGVs) and 300 UK Fuels sites.
Cost Team Flitwick charges £6 a year but this may be waived depending on volumes.
Billing: Invoices are issued either weekly or monthly. Payment is by direct debit after 30 days.
Security: Card use can be restricted to particular individuals and/or vehicles or both. Cancellation is within 24 hours. Contact Team Flitwick on 01708 861122 or wwwfasffuel.co.uk
KEYFUELS
• Customers order a minimum of 20,000 litres of fuel per month from a supplier of their choice and Keyfuels organises the delivery, storage and management of it. More than 30 different types of fuel management report are available.
Outlets: More than BOO in UK and 37 in Europe with most having specialist HGV facilities. The Continental service is aimed at hauliers who only go abroad occasionally.
Cost: Negotiable, depending on volumes and level of service required.
Billing: Invoices are monthly and payable within 30 days.
Security: Currently rolling out a new microchip smart card which it is impossible to clone and allows customers to specify when, where and how often fuel can be drawn. Cancellation takes effect immediately.
Contact CH Jones on 01922 615231 or www.chjones.co.uk.
SECURICOR FUELSERV
III There is no minimum level of fuel that customers bulk purchase from a supplier of their choice. Fuel management reports cover consumption by vehicle make, age, depot and driver. Software is available for customers to design their own reporting system.
Outlets: More than 450 in the UK, 78 in Ireland and more than 550 in Germany, France and Belgium. Virtually all are tailored for trucks.
Cost: Issued free. Handling charges are based on volumes used.
wiling: Customers are billed weekly and payment is by direct debit every month. The average length of credit is 35 days. Security: Each card has a PIN and purchases can be restricted to essential products. Liability for stolen cards is with the customer for 48 hours but increasing use of microchip technology is speeding up the process.
Contact Securicor Fuelserv on 01473 466666 or www.securicor.com/fuelserv