BP fuel cards have once again come under the spotlight after Yorkshire haulier Greenbank Crane Services told Commercial Motor it was being charged £1.20/lit for diesel.
Owner David Greenbank says he was astounded by the price, when pump prices were at just over £1/lit: "When I contacted BP I was surprised
to learn my fuel card is managed by Direct Fuels, rather than BP itself."
Greenbank has been talking to Direct Fuels but is still not clear why he is being charged so much above pump prices: "I even paid a visit to Direct Fuels offices to make my point because they were charging me £1/lit last Christmas. Instead I have been talking to Total who say that they can give me a price of £1.05 anywhere across the country and I am tempted by that."
This is not the first time Direct Fuels' prices have come under close scrutiny. Last month Berkshire-based BDT told CM it was paying £1.13/lit through Direct Fuels.
Tim Shepherd, sales director at Direct Fuels, would not comment on individual cases, but says the prices are based on a variety of factors including crude oil prices and the creditworthiness of the customer involved.
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