Following the Covid-19 pandemic, now more than ever, fleet managers are looking for ways to prioritise financial efficiencies. It is key to running a successful fleet. Therefore, an important aspect of fleet management needs to involve telematics.

Having recognised how crucial fleet telematics solutions are in helping our customers achieve better fleet efficiency, The Fuel Store has partnered with Trakm8, a UK based innovative provider of fleet management technology. This therefore allows you to gain a Total Fleet Management Solution.

By incorporating our existing business fuel card offering with Trakm8’s innovative fleet management telematics products, customers can now receive data insights on vehicle health and performance. This therefore helps you to secure maximum ROI from your fleet. As well as to give grounds for encouraging more eco-friendly driving habits from your teams.

What is telematics?

Telematics is the monitoring of vehicle location, movement and status of a vehicle or fleet. 40% of commercial businesses use fleet telematics, which can save on average 12% in annual fuel costs. Fleet tracking, for instance, helps to reduce speeding events and fines.

By utilising the data collected, it is possible for fleet managers to optimise vehicle movements and fuel consumption, which in turn, reduces the cost per-mile.

Along with cutting costs, telematics will also help to reduce carbon emissions, improve road safety, and boost productivity across your fleet.

How does telematics solutions work?

A GPS-enabled tracking device is installed on each vehicle in the fleet. This collates and transmits tracking data to obtain deeper vehicle performance data.

The Fuel Store can provide fleet managers with two options; The Connect 320, which is our small and simple cost-effective option; and The Connect 430, a compact and robust device, which is engineered specifically for the insurance and fleet sectors.

Once it is installed, the data can be managed 24 hours a day, or if the vehicle is in use in real-time.

Our telematics solutions come with a Connectedcare package included at no extra cost. Connectedcare provides customers with true odometer readings, service intervals, prognostics and diagnostics.

Telematics improve fleet performance

Whether the fleet’s purpose is deliveries or employee use, telematics products will benefit the delivery of goods and the timeliness of staff. This improves the reputation of the business which leads to more business in the future.

Commercial telematics will keep tabs on servicing needs and on the actions of drivers, which in turn means vehicles are less prone to breakdowns.

Fleet managers can also be informed of how a vehicle is being driven. For example, unnecessary acceleration by a driver can contribute to extra costs.  Managers can then decide on whether driver training and welfare is necessary.

Find out more about our telematics solutions or speak to one of our specialists today.

Want to discover more? Visit our knowledge base now for the latest updates from The Fuel Store.

As we move forward in a ‘new normal’, businesses are getting back to some normality too.  If your fleet is getting back out on the road, it couldn’t be a better time to look at the available options and possibilities for your business to make savings. Whether that be on transport with credit or pay as you go fuel cards, or through reducing overheads by making your premises more eco-friendly.

Using a fuel card not only simplifies the management of your fleet; a fuel card can also help make huge savings for your business. This therefore means there are a multitude of benefits. It’s important to assess the features and benefits of the different fuel cards in order to identify the best for your business. For example, our Advantage Card is great as it’s a no credit check – pay as you go fuel card, which offers flexible fuel payment solutions. This consequently means it’s an ideal solution for new businesses, as well as those with limited access to credit.

Thanks to its pay-as-you-go system, The Advantage Card helps to reduce administration costs for your business. Instead of being laden with expense claims and credit card bills, fleet managers can easily track fuel usage by drivers.

Gaining Control of your Fuel Spend

The top-up system also allows fleet managers to forecast how much they are set to spend each month. So not only will you be reduce the time you spend on admin, you will also be in better control of your fuel spend.

The Advantage Card gives you access to over 3,000 fuel stations across the UK. This means drivers can refuel at a multitude of sites on their journey.

The stations can be easily found by using our online Station Finder. This relieves you of the burden of trying to find the nearest fuel station. The Station Finder also helps you to plot alternative routes, which may take less time and require less fuel.

A Multitude of Fleet Management Services

The Advantage Card comes with the same fleet management services you receive with our credit account option. From Telematics to FraudGuard, our services are designed to give you peace of mind and offer you full support when using your fuel cards.

You will also have a designated account manager who is on hand to ensure you are getting the most out of your fuel card.

Want to know more? Contact our fuel card specialists to get your account up and running with us.

To say the Covid-19 lockdown has been a testing time for businesses across the UK, is somewhat of an understatement. We have faced obstacles we never imaged we would have to face. One of those obstacles has unfortunately been a rise in fraud and cybercrime. Thankfully, we have developed FraudGuard, designed specifically to keep you protected from fraudulent activity on your fuel cards. The new service will offer you peace of mind, knowing that in these difficult times you won’t be exposed to further financial risk whilst purchasing fuel to keep your fleet on the road. 

Along with scammers exploiting the spread of Covid-19, in recent years there has been a worrying trend towards rising card fraud, highlighted in the ‘Fraud the Facts 2019’ report, published by UK Finance Ltd.  

The report revealed that there was a 19% uplift in card fraud losses in 2018 when compared to reported cases in 2017.  

Here at The Fuel Store we take our customer’s security seriously, which is why we have developed, FraudGuard. The unique service will help protect our customers from this concerning trend and the current rise in cybercrime that was highlighted by the government. We understand that any additional financial risk during this time is a huge hindrance to your business, and that is why we believe this is a vital service for our customers.  

How does FraudGuard work? 

In the unfortunate event of your fuel card(s) being lost or stolen, you will not be held liable for any fraudulent transactions on your account, from the moment you let us know. 

All you will need to do is contact us by email or phone, as soon as you believe a card has been lost, stolen, or that the PIN has been compromised. 

You are then reassured that our team will cover the cost of any fraudulent fuel spend, providing you with the peace of mind and security that your business deserves and that we demand for our customers. 

Are there additional costs? 

FraudGuard will protect your business for just £1.50 per card per month. That’s just £18 per year to safeguard your fleet from the increasing impact of fuel fraud. 

If you would like to learn more about FraudGuard and how it can protect your fleet and your finances, please contact our team today to find out more.

We are here for you during this challenging time and our product specialists are available to support you via the usual channels. If you have any queries regarding our fuel cards and fleet services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

Alternatively, to read more about buying UK Fuels for fleets, explore our collection of fuel cards today.

Life as we know it has been on hold during the Covid-19 lockdown. However, for many of our customers, especially those who work in couriering, haulage, logistics, freight, construction and transport, it is business as usual. And for some, they are even busier than they were before lock down.

Therefore, our top priority during this uncertain and testing time continues to be providing an uninterrupted service. Our customers are the key links within Britain’s supply chain. Never has it been more important for fleets to get from A to B in a timely and safe manner. And the Fuellers have been here every step of the way.  

Working remotely from our homes has not deterred us from delivering our high standard of customer service. Our fuel cards continue to be distributed so that drivers have access to the fuel they need to carry out the important work that they do.   

Our Account Managers continue to be in communication with our customers to offer reassurance during this time of uncertainty for many businesses.

They aim to ensure clients are taking advantage of all The Fuel Store’s services that are available to them and which can prove useful during this time.  

Whilst we have faced mounting challenges along with many other small and family run businesses at this time, there does seem to be a continued and slowly increasing demand for commercial fuel. Our Fuel Card Specialists are still supporting new customers with getting set up with fuel solutions, which is a possible sign that some businesses are starting to return to work and/or pivot their fleets to service the pandemic response efforts of the essential services.  

When called upon, our team have made sure that new customers receive all the fuel cards they require as quickly as possible to ensure fleets remain on the road. Our dedicated family of Fuellers have been a friendly and familiar voice at the end of the phone, offering advice and support where needed to customers new and old. 

With signs that lockdown measures are set to be eased by the government following the Prime Minister’s national update yesterday evening (Sunday 10^th May 2020), we are here to  help should you need any guidance or advice regarding the latest changes and how they might affect your fleet.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have a query or would like to know more about our Fuel Cards and other fleet services. We are here to help you now as we have always been and as we will continue to be for the remainder of the pandemic and beyond.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a testing time to say the least for individuals and businesses across the UK.  To support the government’s lockdown measures, difficult decisions had to be made that will undoubtedly have a knock-on effect for businesses. 

The situation is continuously changing and as talks of easing lockdown restrictions arise, the uncertainty surrounding rules and regulations for company fleet management continues. 

The uncertainty in how long the lockdown measures will last has made it increasingly difficult for businesses to know how to address their future fleet requirements. Fleet managers must find answers to questions they haven’t faced before. 

To support our customers, the Fueller family has pulled together to offer reassurance and a continuation of service in this time of need. In order to offer further support and provide some clarity, we thought we should share some answers to questions currently facing fleet managers and business owners here in our blog. 

Of course, our dedicated team remain on hand to help, so If you require any support during this time, please don’t hesitate to contact our team via the usual channels.  

How can you maintain car tyres when a vehicle isn’t moving for an extended period? 

Not using a car for several weeks could cause problems for the tyres. As the weight of your vehicle presses down on the tread area, which remains unchanged if you don’t move the car, your tyres could deform. This could damage the internal structure and cause deflation. If possible, take the car for an uninterrupted 15-minute drive at least once a week. Before driving longer distances, be sure to check the pressure and adjust if needed. 

Do I still need to get my vehicle’s MOT if it is due to expire during lockdown? 

The government announced that your car, van or motorcycle’s MOT expiry date will be extended by 6 months if it’s due on or after 30 March 2020. However, the government’s guidelines highlight that you must keep your vehicle safe to drive. 

The extension also applies to vehicles that are due their first MOT test on or after 30 March 2020. 

You must make sure your vehicle is roadworthy. It can be unsafe even if your MOT expiry date has been extended. 

Take your vehicle to be repaired at the nearest open garage if it’s unsafe. Garages can stay open during the coronavirus outbreak. 

How should I keep my vehicle maintained during lockdown? 

It’s not a good idea to leave a vehicle parked untouched for weeks or months on end.  

Even if dealership showrooms are closed, garages are still allowed to remain open for urgent repairs and maintenance. This may be a good time to schedule an appointment for maintenance or to swap winter tyres back to summer tyres. 

What useful things can you do now you have more time due to COVID-19? 

Just a few weeks ago, fleet managers filled most of their time with the day-to-day operation of their vehicle fleets. With many fleets operating at reduced capacity, there is plenty of time to focus on other areas and ensuring you are using your time productively. 

You could take this time to offer online training. Businesses are seeing the benefits of online meetings and fleet managers can use the technology to produce courses on driver behaviour. The importance of driver safety has never been more paramount and will also positively affect your fleet in the long term.  

My vehicles are not being used during this period. Do I have to carry out a pre-use inspection before I put them into use again?  

Although it is always recommended that a pre-use inspection is carried out before putting vehicles that have been stood idle back into service, the traffic commissioners recognise that operators will want to start using vehicles as soon as possible and there may be delays in businesses starting again when there may not be enough slots available at maintainers to inspect vehicles. 

How can we ensure the safety of our drivers? 

Firstly, to reduce the spread of COVID-19, sanitising shared equipment must become part of your safety routine. 

The Department for Transport (DfT) issued guidelines to reinforce the fact that all drivers must have access to welfare facilities in the premises they visit as part of their work. With the advice for hands to be washed regularly, failure to allow access to welfare facilities may increase the risk of the COVID-19 infection spreading. 

DfT also announced the temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of drivers’ hours rules in England, Scotland, and Wales for the drivers of vehicles involved in the delivery of food, non-food and over the counter pharmaceuticals. However, the DfT are clear that driver safety must not be compromised, and they should not be expected to drive whilst tired.  

For more details of the government’s guidelines for fleets, click here.

How can we ensure the safety of our drivers?

Firstly, to reduce the spread of COVID-19, sanitising shared equipment must become part of your safety routine.

The Department for Transport (DfT) issued guidelines to reinforce the fact that all drivers must have access to welfare facilities in the premises they visit as part of their work. With the advice for hands to be washed regularly, failure to allow access to welfare facilities may increase the risk of the COVID-19 infection spreading.

DfT also announced the temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of drivers’ hours rules in England, Scotland, and Wales for the drivers of vehicles involved in the delivery of food, non-food and over the counter pharmaceuticals. However, the DfT are clear that driver safety must not be compromised, and they should not be expected to drive whilst tired.

You can gain access to more details on government guidelines here.

Alternatively, take a look at our post to discover how we can help keep our fleet operators safe in a post COVID society.