The Miles Consultancy launches market-leading management tool that could cut a quarter off business fuel costs
The Miles Consultancy (TMC) and Barclaycard Business Solutions have today launched a new product, Fuel+, which could help companies cut an average of a quarter off their business fuel costs1 by improving the way they manage fleet fuel expenses.
Fuel+ is designed to help both drivers and fleet managers, and combines a fuel expenses Visa card with a mileage capture and audit system, developed by TMC.
The Visa card, with chip and PIN security, allows drivers to refuel at almost all petrol forecourts in the UK2 while the mileage system gives fleet managers complete visibility of their staff’s fuel spend and reduces costs by streamlining and automating processes.
Following a successful pilot with 25 corporate clients including supermarket brand Morrisons, Fuel+ is now available to all organisations with large vehicle fleets3.
The system works by enabling drivers to log their business mileage simply online, over the phone or via text4. The system then analyses all relevant data including card purchases, mileage stats, distance travelled and even vehicle-specific tank capacity. It can identify any irregular patterns of spend, significantly reducing accidental or deliberate over-claims. It also helps ensure accurate VAT recovery, making it simple and easy to reclaim without the need for driver receipts.
Paul Jackson, Managing Director of The Miles Consultancy, said: “The solution gave outstanding results during the extensive trials when it was in daily use by thousands of drivers employed by 25 fleets. It is a single, proven, fleet fuel and mileage solution combining market-leading audited mileage capture options with a global Visa corporate payment card. It also sets new standards for visibility and control over corporate fuel budgets, helping ensure HMRC compliance while freeing drivers to buy fuel efficiently wherever they are.”
Alejandro Stein, Managing Director of Barclaycard Global Commercial Payments, said: “Fuel costs are a significant and rising cost for many businesses and can be complex and time consuming to manage. Fuel+ will help to make things much simpler for both drivers and fleet managers and could help businesses cut, on average, a quarter off their business fuel costs.
“Fuel+ Barclaycards, with chip & PIN security, allow drivers to use almost all filling stations in the UK, including pay-at-the pump sites, meaning drivers don’t have to plan ahead when thinking about re-fuelling. While fleet managers will find managing fuel costs much more straightforward through the audit and reporting capabilities.”
Morrisons case study
Supermarket brand Morrisons wanted to simplify the way their fuel expense system operated. Fuel purchases and mileage claims at the time went through a time-intensive manual process. It has piloted Fuel+ over the last year.
Morrisons found that the solution eliminated the need to keep VAT receipts and streamlined processes. Also, by mandating accurate reporting of mileage and transactions, it delivered a direct saving of over £300,000 on the corporate fuel budget in the first year of operation. A further £500,000 of potential cost savings and tax-efficiency improvements have also been identified.
Businesses with large vehicle fleets who would like further information should visitwww.barclaycard.co.uk/business/fuel or call TMC on +44 (0) 1270 525218
ends
For media or press enquiries please contact Brecon Quaddy at The Ambergate Network.
Tel: +44 (0) 1666 505632 Mob: +44 (0) 7795 422750 Email: [email protected]
Notes to editors
1 This is based on the first year business fuel savings of 24 TMC customers calculated in 2012.
2 Fuel+ allows drivers to refuel at almost all petrol forecourts in the UK which display the Visa sign. A few small fuel retailers with a shop may be classified by their VISA processing bank as a supermarket or convenience store and the card may therefore be declined. Only an outlet classified as a fuel retailer will accept the fuel expenses card.
3 The Barclaycard Fuel+ solution in association with TMC, will initially be available to companies with large vehicle fleets (those with a fuel spend of £500k plus). There are plans to roll it out to smaller fleets in due course.
4 Companies can also opt to use the TMC Mileage App, which allows drivers to utilise the GPS tracking in their smartphone, letting them log their miles on the go.
