Some readers may be familiar with CardLink, a business to business payment company which has been looking after the refuelling of many New Zealand fleets.
CardLink’s latest innovation qualifies the company as a Supplier of the Year; electric vehicle charging as a new feature of the CardSmart fuel card product.
The new feature on the CardSmart fuel card combines electric and traditional fuel capabilities, enabling fleets to run their company vehicles on either internal combustion engines or electric motor(s) without complicated payment systems.
This new feature of CardSmart enables fleet owners and managers to have all on-road expenses managed through one invoice.
By adding nationwide electric vehicle charging capability in conjunction with the existing fossil fuels billing – which will remain an integral part of the CardSmart offering – companies can transition to EVs at their own pace.
Employees driving electric vehicles can swipe the CardSmart Electric Fob to charge back to the company account, just as they do with their cards for diesel and petrol.
An impressive 97 percent of fuel stations across New Zealand are included in the CardSmart scheme, including major retailers: Mobil, Z, BP, Caltex, Waitomo, GAS, and Gull. Now, drivers can also charge their vehicles when required at ChargeNet charge stations.
“We are excited to add the ability to charge electric vehicles at on-road charging stations,” shares CardLink CEO Sam Steel. “This will enable drivers to recharge vehicles in the field and alleviate range anxiety which has been a major blocker until recently, between EV model range and the lack of on-road charging availability – CardSmart makes a meaningful contribution to fixing this.
“Customers can be assured it will be an easy transition and that there will be no surprises. We will be replicating what we’ve done for years with fossil fuels with an easy chargeback method for drivers to swipe a fob and the charge will go back to head office.
“While the term ‘Fuel Card’ has meant petrol or diesel until now, electricity is a new fuel. It is natural we add it to the list, as we will with hydrogen in the near future too.’
With 15-minute rapid fast charge, CardLink envisages a new behaviour of on-the-road reps. Reps will be able to stop to charge and do admin while having a coffee or lunch at the charging station.
And, as an electrifying addition to the CardSmart fuel card, as part of this new product launch, CardLink will provide free electric on-road charging until June 30th 2023. Conditions apply and to find out more, visit the www.cardlink.co.nz
website.
