Leading independent fuel distributor in the UK, Certas Energy, has this week [3rd April 2025] announced that it has relaunched its industry-first digital fuel card, FuelTapp.
First launched to selected customers in October 2022, this updated version features new and improved capabilities designed to mitigate the risk of fuel fraud and reduce the time it takes for drivers to get an account set up.
New functions include the use of facial identification when applying for a digital fuel card, cross-checking your picture with your driver’s license, allowing for a quicker sign-up process. In addition, all existing functions have been enhanced for a better user experience.
Image: Certas Energy
According to research commissioned in 2019 by Shell, two-thirds (65%) of fleet managers in the UK have seen fuel-related fraud as a major issue for their business, and roughly half (48%) said that more needs to be done to tackle the problem.
Activities like cloning and stealing fuel cards have worsened in recent years, costing businesses thousands of pounds each incident.
Certas Energy states that there has been a “pressing need” in the market for a product that begins to address this widespread problem, eliminating the risk of physical fuel cards being lost, stolen, or cloned. This innovation addresses safety issues for businesses, its employees and drivers on-site.
Companies can now set up a secure FuelTapp account in just 30 minutes at one of Certas Energy’s 17 bunker sites nationwide.
An unlimited number of drivers can be allocated to the account giving the fleet manager control over the whole fleet in one portal.
Since the introduction of this digital fuel card, the hundreds of FuelTapp customers have reported zero incidences of fraud or crime.
The company also states that the switch to a virtual card has resulted in a major reduction in paper waste and plastic production.
Paul Boulton, Fuel Card Sales Manager at Certas Energy, said: “FuelTapp was first introduced to address the safety and security of drivers across the country, and the millions of pounds of fuel fraud plaguing our industry. These updates have provided an additional layer of protection, ensuring Certas Energy fuel card customers are fraud-proof.
“We are proud to be the first to introduce this type of innovation to help tackle a growing issue for fleet managers and drivers in the UK. As more customers switch to FuelTapp, we anticipate more fuel card providers to follow our leadership and introduce their own digital versions in the future.
“Our dedicated team will continue to enhance the app’s capabilities so our customers can feel reassured that it addresses today’s and tomorrow’s fuel fraud and theft challenges.”
The FuelTapp app is available to download via the App Store and Google Play Store.
Learn more about FuelTapp by visiting the landing page, here.
