Business to business (B2B) payment company CardLink is launching electric vehicle charging as a new feature on its CardSmart fuel card.
As part of the launch, CardLink will provide free electric on-road charging until June 30 next year, with conditions applying.
This new feature enables fleet owners and managers to have all on-road expenses managed through one invoice, CardLink says.
By adding nationwide EV charging capability in conjunction with the existing fossil fuels — which will remain an integral part of its offering — companies can transition at their own pace, CardLink adds.
Employees driving EVs can swipe the CardSmart electric fob to charge back to the company account, just as they do with their cards for diesel and petrol.
About 97% of petrol stations across New Zealand are included in the CardSmart scheme, such as Mobil, Z, BP, Caltex, Waitomo, GAS, and Gull, and now drivers can now charge their vehicles when required at Chargenet stations.
“We are excited to add the ability to charge electric vehicles at on-road charging stations,” says CardLink chief executive Sam Steel.
“This will enable drivers to recharge vehicles in the field and, at the same time, will alleviate range anxiety which has been a major blocker until recently between EV model range and the lack of on-road charging availability — both now fixed.
“Customers can be assured it will be an easy transition and that there will be no surprises,” Steel explains.
“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 go back to head office.”
While the term Fuel Card has meant petrol or diesel, electricity is a new fuel so it is natural to add it to the list, as CardLink intends with hydrogen in the near future, says Steel.
With 15-minute rapid fast charge, CardLink envisages a new behaviour for on-the-road reps who will be able to stop to charge and do admin while having coffee or lunch at the charging station.
