For many UK SMBs, paying for fuel or EV charging should be a simple, routine task. Instead, it’s becoming a growing source of frustration.
As fleets shift towards a mix of petrol, diesel and electric vehicles, the way businesses manage fleet payments hasn’t been easy. What used to be a straightforward process is now often fragmented across multiple cards, apps and providers - adding complexity at a time when efficiency matters most.
Recent research from Allstar that surveyed 300 UK SMB owners and directors who manage 4-20 vehicles, highlights just how widespread this challenge has become, with the vast majority (97%) of SMB owners and directors reporting being anxious about how they manage fuel and EV charging payments.
One of the issues facing SMBs today is the need to manage multiple payment methods just to keep vehicles moving. The research reveals that 89% use more than one, while 12% use between four and ten. By not having a single fleet payment solution, this creates confusion, inefficiency and unnecessary admin. In fact, nearly half of SMBs say they spend between four and six hours a month resolving fuel and EV charging payment admin.
For drivers, the impact is critical with nearly half (49%) of those surveyed reporting that payment problems are disrupting drivers at pumps, often or always. Disruption at the plug is slightly higher with 54% agreeing – concluding with 97% reporting that managing payments at the pump or plug slows down operations and increases driver downtime.
A key challenge for 45% of those SMBs surveyed is the lack of real-time visibility into fuel and EV charging costs. Without clear insights, these businesses struggle to manage budgets, identify inefficiencies and make informed decisions about their fleet operations.
It is clear about what SMBs need - an astounding 98% reveal that a single payment method for fuel and EV charging is important. Their priority is to have a consistent payment experience for drivers that uses fewer apps and less providers to manage, and have access to real-time spend tracking.
This is where a unified approach makes a difference. With Allstar Chargepass, businesses can simplify how they pay for fuel and EV charging. With one card. It’s more than just a fuel card.
To dive deeper into the statistics, read our infographic here.
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