In the road recovery sector, being fuelled up and ready for action is just part of service operations efficiency. But is your business operating at full commercial efficiency ? If you’re not already using a fuelcard, you’re missing out on substantial cost savings. So how do you decide which card would be best for you ? There are important differences – and here are three key considerations to help you make the right choice:
1. Pick the right TYPE of fuelcard DON'T opt for Retail fuelcards. They can cost you £1 or more per card per month, but all they offer is some convenience. You still pay the FULL pump price, and management reports and on-line account access cost extra.
Commercial fuelcards are a much better deal because you can purchase fuel at a price lower than posted pump prices. The best operators quote a weekly fuel price per litre in advance – applicable nationwide for seven days, Sunday-to-Saturday, at ALL sites accepting the card concerned. Annual fuel cost savings can be substantial.
2. Check the SITE NETWORK suits your business So far so good – but lower fuel prices are meaningless if refuelling sites that accept your fuelcard aren’t convenient for your operating area. So look for a fuelcard operator that offers different fuelcards to cover different business needs.
abbey Fuelcards is an excellent example. If all your recovery vehicles are diesel and operate mainly along trunk roads and urban fringes, their diesel direct card gives you 1000+ sites across the UK. Most are ‘high canopy’ HGV-friendly fuel-stops. For recovery operations focusing on motorways and other main routes, the abbey euroshell.aspx'>euroshell card offers 1000+ Shell sites. Or if you have a mixed fleet of petrol and diesel vehicles, the abbey fastfuel card is accepted at over 1400 texaco and UK Fuels sites and is the only UK fuelcard valid for discount purchase of both fuels. Fastfuel is also accepted at all morrisons service stations for discount diesel.
3. Get the right SERVICE Some fuelcard operators treat support services as optional – and chargeable – extras in addition to the monthly card fee. So look for a deal in which ALL member services are covered by this fee. abbey’s standard 50p per issued card covers account set-up, card replacement, customised management reports and analyses, 24/7 online account access, SMS or Sat-Nav site locator services, and security features such as instant card stop, irregular usage monitoring and alerts, and zero liability protection.
SPECIAL tow show OFFER from abbey Fuelcards: FREE cards + Cashback
Visit the abbey Fuelcards stand [H12] and take advantage of their special tow show offer. They'll help you select the right abbey fuelcard for your business needs. Then apply for membership and they’ll give you your fuelcards FREE of monthly charges for the first 12 months – saving £6 per card issued. When you start using your cards, your account will also be automatically credited with £20 cashback as you begin enjoying the savings, service and security of abbey fuelcard membership.