Astron Energy is launching a new fleetcard to help transport-based businesses track and optimise their fuel spend and help drive operational sustainability.
The new Astron Energy Fleetcard replaces the Caltex Starcard and fleet owners will be able to use the new fleetcard at existing Caltex service stations and all new Astron Energy branded service stations that offer this facility.
Last year the company announced that Astron Energy would be the name across all areas of its business and also revealed its vibrant new corporate identity. Astron Energy will begin rolling out its new brand across its vast retail network in South Africa in the coming months.
Why a fleetcard?
Statistics prove that good fuel management can save up to 10 percent of fuel costs. Fuel is a major operating expense for fleet operators and the challenging economic environment has placed a greater emphasis on optimising fuel spend to ensure sustained profitability.
One of the most effective methods to track and control fuel spend is through using oil company fleet cards. An efficient and proven fleet card system will help drive a transport business forward by providing a wide network of outlets, offering discounted diesel pricing and opportunities to streamline the management of fuel expenses.
The Fleetcard to have for optimised diesel expenditure
With over 535 fleetcard-enabled service stations, Astron Energy boasts the largest fleetcard-linked network in South Africa, offering discounted diesel prices. This enables fleet owners to optimise their route efficiency, which results in smarter fleet utilisation and increased revenue.
The new Astron Energy Fleetcard is designed to address fleet owners’ critical business needs. It does this through providing a smart and secure way for their drivers to refuel, and granting business owners access to data analytics and greater control over their fuel spend. Acquiring the Astron Energy fleetcard is simple and easy.
The Astron Energy Fleetcard product features alliances with four major banks – ABSA, FNB, Standard Bank and Nedbank, providing extensive coverage and peace of mind for business owners.
The Astron Energy Fleetcard alliance account number links to a customer’s existing fleet facility and credit line at the alliance bank. As a result, fleetcard users do not have to provide additional guarantees and securities to the fuel company as the credit relationship exists between the customer and their alliance bank.
Customers furthermore have the flexibility to choose either Closed or Open BIN cards, or a combination of the two. Closed BIN cards can only be used at the Astron Energy network of retail sites. However, the Open BIN StarCard option makes provision for emergency fill-ups at Astron Energy service stations that are not fleetcard outlets and any other oil company sites, at full pump prices. Closed and Open BIN cards can also be used for cross-border fueling at selected Astron Energy or Caltex branded sites in Botswana at retail pump price.
The Astron Energy Fleetcard truly gives the transporters full control over their fleet’s fuel usage. More efficient route planning can realise huge savings by ensuring their drivers always fill up at one of the 535 participating Astron Energy and Caltex sites with discounted fuel, while operators can feel secure knowing their drivers don’t have to carry cash for refuelling purposes.
Fleet owners further have control over the issuing and deactivation of cards for drivers and can set limits on the cards they issue. With their fuel spend linked to their existing alliance bank, their invoices are managed through their existing banking relationships.
How the alliance works
Through the Astron Energy Fleetcard, Astron Energy can provide fleet operators with special pricing based on the wholesale list price, rather than the retail pump price. Volume-based discounts are considered for significant on-road diesel usage, which means that savings could be considerably more for higher-volume users.
The Astron Energy Fleetcard also gives operators access to quick and easy analytics with automatic fuel expense tracking. Astron Energy provides monthly savings reports, detailing the price paid for fuel compared to the pump price, while the alliance banks’ fleet services divisions provide consolidated fleet management reports.
Speak to our fleetcard account managers to find out how we can help you meet your on-road fueling needs and stay on top of your fleet’s fuel expenditure – zacommercial@astronenergy.co.za
