UK Fuels launches variable cost fuel card

UK fuels is launching a new fuel card aimed at giving fleet operators better cost control through 'clear and transparent' pricing.

The Crystal fuel card is a variable cost fuel card where the price fleets pay is based on the volume they purchase. Ultimately, the more fuel a customer buys, the more cost effective it becomes, says UK Fuels.

Bill Holmes, chief executive of UK Fuels parent company Radius Payment Solutions, told Commercial Fleet: “It’s a fuel card like any other fuel card, but where we’re trying to differentiate ourselves is the ease with which the customer can see what their price is.”

Holmes says it’s not unusual for fleets to only find out what their fuel price was for the week, when they receive their bill. “We’re going to make it very easy for customers to see what price they’re on via the web and via the app, so there’s no surprise at the end of the week,” he said.

"Customers want consistent transparent pricing," Bill Holmes, Radius Payment Solutions

The fuel card pricing structure will be broken down into bands meaning customers can determine what price they pay per litre.

Ultimately, the more fuel a business buys, the more cost effective it becomes. Holmes explained: “Typically our prices are below pump prices, with a customer saving around 2p per litre.”

And, in a falling market, he says, its prices will come down much faster than pump prices.    

He continued: “In the current climate, customers want consistent, transparent pricing and a solution which places control back in their hands.”

The Crystal fuel card is a self-service fuel card, with customers able to manage their account through Radius’ free online portal Velocity, which is also downloadable as an app.

The self-serving nature of the card will allow customers to retrieve their invoices online as and when they need. UK Fuels says this makes the entire process more efficient and straightforward.

Radius Payment Solutions recently opened a technology and innovation centre in Manchester and Holmes says the Crystal fuel card is a prime example of how it wants to provide the market with the latest software-led solutions.

Another, was its telematics service called Kinesis which it launched last year. Crystal fuel card customers will also have the option to integrate into this solution.

Holmes said: “The Crystal fuel card is not just a standalone product, it is part of our push to use technology to improve our offering to customers.”   

He continued: “We aim to make fuel cards more tailored to the modern consumer, looking for innovative ways to offer simple and clear fuel solutions, building on our more than 25 years of experience.”

UK Fuels works with a diverse range of customers, operating small to large fleets, but it is particularly aiming the Crystal fuel card at the SME sector, where Holmes says the technology can provide the efficiencies smaller operators crave.

There is no registration charge and no transaction fees, while customers will have access to a network of around 2,000 filling stations.  

Holmes said: “It is our belief that this fuel card will be an attractive offering for any business, inspiring confidence with the transparent pricing model.”

As well as the Crystal fuel card, UK Fuels is re-launching its Smartdiesel fuel card for HGV customers, which provides a similar self-service model allowing customers to see exactly how much they will pay per litre of fuel for the coming week.