BP helps to prevent fuel theft

Today, BP launched its FleetMove service that takes the standard fuel card several steps further, transforming it into an integrated fleet-management solution.

According to Gavin Kelly, acting CEO at the Road Freight Association (RFA), who spoke at the launch, between 11 and 34 percent of total cost of ownership (TCO) may be attributed to fuel theft in the freight industry. It is awareness of this challenge that drove BP to partner with Masana Petroleum Solutions to create a “fuel card” with added security against fuel fraud.

The company states that BP FleetMove is an innovative real-time monitoring solution designed to reduce fraud, manage vehicles and reduce operating costs.

There are three different service offerings depending on the requirements of the fleet manager. The first is the basic BP FleetMove card, followed by BP FleetMove Plus and BP FleetMove Premium at the top of the spectrum.

BP FleetMove is cashless, card free and paperless to reduce every aspect of fuel fraud. Instead of a card, the system works with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag (which looks like a standard licence disk holder) stuck onto the windscreen of the vehicle.

The tag may be compared to a barcode that is assigned to a particular vehicle and driver. However, unlike a barcode, the RFID is not easily damaged, is tamper proof and cannot be transferred to another vehicle, which reduces the risk of fuel theft.

The BP FleetMove card offers the following benefits: cashless transactions and controlled spending, where fleet managers are able to set limits to the amount of fuel a driver is allowed to purchase. When the vehicle arrives at the refuelling station, the service attendant scans the RFID tag and the driver is allowed to purchase fuel up to any amount that is within the limits set by the fleet manager.

BP FleetMove Plus offers the same benefits as those already mentioned, but includes access to a web portal. Here, fleet managers have access to all transactions, pricing reports and refuelling rules in real time.

Fleet managers will also receive notifications and alerts for any driver behaviour or pattern that transgresses a refuelling rule. Managers can then make operational decisions, or act upon transgressors without delay.

The top product offering is BP FleetMove Premium, which brings further functionality to the products already on offer. Essentially, it can be scaled to offer a complete fleet-management service, which includes vehicle tracking and telematics.

With this managers are able to perform all telematics functions the industry has come to expect, plus a bit more.

The system offers real-time indications of fuel level via a stand-alone probe fitted to the fuel tank of the vehicle. Fleet managers are then able to compare the rand amount with the litres being deposited into the tank.

Alternatively, if a vehicle is filled up, travels 20 km and suddenly the fuel level drops, this will generate an alert and the transport manager will be informed via SMS.

The BP FleetMove card enables transport operators to keep tabs on the actual amount of fuel in a vehicle at any point in time.