Author: Fuel Card Services

customer relations

A friendly demeanour makes all the difference in customer relations

Posted on | by Fuel Card Services

The importance of a friendly outlook should never be underestimated when it comes to serving your customers best, and this is precisely the attitude we take at Fuel Card Services.

Groundworks specialist B&J Contracting have been in touch to highlight the sterling job that one of our account managers has provided in bringing them onboard. It just goes to show that going that extra mile will always bear fruit when building new relationships.

Graeme Neal, manager and foreman at B&J Contracting, stated: “I usually dread the online chat, the robotic T&Cs that come after. Elena made the whole process from start to finish a breeze.

“It is because of people like Elena that I will be forwarding your business on to other clients and friends that I have in construction. Thank you for the start of what I hope to be a great relationship with FCS.”

B&J has yet to work out its typical monthly spend on fuel. However, with six vans and cars as part of its fleet and a need for both petrol and diesel fuels as a result, access to the All Star One fuel card and the support of Fuel Card Services means there could be great things in the pipeline for this budding relationship.

Managing a commercial fleet is more challenging than ever. That’s why we have created a one-stop solution to deal with the never-ending list of problems you face. Look Closer at your fleet costs with My Fleet Hub.

Zero carbon

Road to zero carbon ‘must not be blocked’

Posted on | by Fuel Card Services

The UK’s policymakers have been warned of the dangerous consequences of a failure to properly support the fleet sector in its efforts to reduce carbon emissions through a fair tax regime.

Ongoing support for fleets is needed

According to the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Agency (BVRLA), the introduction of the incoming Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) means it is essential to have a supportive tax regime that reflects the efforts of the fleet sector to minimise its level of emissions.

In order to achieve this, the BVRLA is calling for:

  • Adjustment in future vehicle excise duty (VED) and company car tax bands for 2020 and beyond to account for the increase in WLTP-based CO2 figures
  • Guarantees that all CO2-related taxes and charges are treated consistently under WLTP
  • A four/five-year view of future company car tax and VED bands, enabling fleets and drivers to plan their vehicle choices
  • Freezing the rates for all pre-April 2020 legacy vehicles at the 2018/19 level

Transparency is key

BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney stated: “Most policymakers recognise the vital part that these fleets will play in delivering the government’s flagship Road to Zero and Industrial Strategy.

“We need HM Treasury to acknowledge and support the fleet sector’s role by providing a fair, consistent and well-signposted tax regime.”

He added that what is most needed now is an element of transparency from the government, with WLTP not used as an excuse to “boost Treasury coffers”.

Jenny Smith, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “Policymakers need to ensure a fair level of support for fleet providers or run the risk of undermining their own efforts to tackle the carbon crisis. Helping to give clarity on future rates and duties will be a benefit for all.”

Your business can benefit from affordable telematics with no hidden start-up fees or long-term commitments. Find out how at www.tele-gence.com

AWPR/B-T

AWPR/B-T update: New road layout to open on A90

Posted on | by Fuel Card Services

Drivers travelling between Craibstone and Parkhill in Aberdeenshire will benefit from a new road layout and reduction in congestion in the months and years to come.

Delivered as part of Transport Scotland’s ongoing Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project, the latest section of the A90 to undergo a transformation is set to open to all road users on Tuesday (February 19th).

New layouts to get used to

In total, a 4.5-mile stretch of new road will link the southern route out of Craibstone to Stonehaven and the Charleston section with Parkhill.

Meanwhile, other upgrades to the route will see the permanent closure of the A90 junction with the A96, as well as the opening of a new connection to the C89C Chapel of Stoneywood to Craibstone Junction.

Safer roads and less congestion

Douglas Laird, project manager for the AWPR/B-T scheme at Transport Scotland, said: “This new section of road between Craibstone and Parkhill will bring a range of benefits to road users, including reduced congestion, improved journey time reliability and enhanced safety.

“However, we would like to remind road users to drive with caution for their own safety and to consider the safety of other road users as there are a number of changes to the road layout to become accustomed to.”

Mr Laird went on to state there will likely be a degree of uncertainty for many road users over the coming weeks and months, but the impact of these changes will be felt in the area for years to come.

Ellie Baker, brand manager at FCS Scotland, adds: “Further improvements continue to come online as part of the ongoing AWPR/B-T project, with members of the local community benefiting from safer, less-congested roads. All in all, this is great news for drivers and the area as a whole.”

Intelligent speed assistance

Intelligent speed assistance ‘could save countless lives’

Posted on | by Fuel Card Services

The introduction of new automatic intelligent speed assistance (ISA) technology in vehicles as standard in the coming years could help to save countless lives on Europe’s roads, road safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist has claimed.

Speed a factor in one-third of deaths

Following the publication of new figures on road safety by the European Transport Safety Council, GEM has highlighted the fact that on urban and rural roads where the majority of fatalities occur,  was shown to be a factor in one-third of all road deaths.

As a result, GEM is championing the mandatory introduction of ISA technology for all new vehicles by 2022, with the body claiming that to do so could see a reduction in the number of fatalities across Europe by up to 20 per cent.

ISA a potential game-changer

Highlighting the UK’s future need for this technology, GEM road safety officer Neil Worth commented: “Whatever Brexit arrangement is finally decided, we have the commitment from prime minister Theresa May that ‘UK and EU regulatory standards will remain substantially similar in the future’.”

As a result, he argued that “this matters every bit as much to a safer future on the roads of the UK as to any other country”.

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “A future where speeding and the devastating consequences of this behaviour is taken out of the hands of the driver and is automatically eliminated by assistive technologies is one we can all hope to see.”

Your business can benefit from affordable telematics with no hidden start-up fees or long-term commitments. Find out how at www.tele-gence.com

Neptune

Best prices ‘key to satisfying customers’ for FCS

Posted on | by Fuel Card Services

The ability to offer some of the best prices on petrol and diesel to our clients is one of the biggest draws for businesses receiving the support of Fuel Card Services.

Indeed, this is precisely the case for Neptune Europe – one of the UK’s leading home furnishings makers, interior designers and decorating specialists, with more than 25 stores nationwide.

The company operates a fleet of 80 vehicles made up of a range of vans, cars and HGVs. Neptune spends approximately £27,000 per month on diesel fuel and makes use of the Shell fuel card.

“I moved over to using Fuel Card Services … to save on money, as the price was better,” stated Neptune’s distribution and fleet manager Ian Evans.

He added that his account manager Jack is “always helpful” and this is greatly appreciated; however, the most important single factor in why he’s stuck with Fuel Card Services to date is “getting the best price in the current market”.

We help around 55,000 customer organisations pump around two million litres of petrol and diesel every day. We have long-standing relationships with every major oil supplier, meaning there’s bound to be a fuel card perfect for your operation.

Managing a commercial fleet is more challenging than ever. That’s why we have created a one-stop solution to deal with the never-ending list of problems you face. Look Closer at your fleet costs with My Fleet Hub.