UAE Going Wireless With Commercial Fleet Fueling

The drivers of some 120,000 commercial vehicles in the United Arab Emirates by the end of the year reportedly will be paying for fuel at Emirates National Oil Co. (ENOC) stations using wireless technology.

The radio frequency identification-based service thus far has been installed in 10,000 vehicles from more than 50 companies, according to ENOC’s rollout announcement. The Vehicle Identification Pass (ViP) initiative, launched in January, is now available across the entire ENOC/ Emirates Petroleum Product Co. network for commercial users and fleet owners.

The ViP system from Turpak, a Turkish company, uses an electronic chip mounted over the fuel tank inlets of registered vehicles that communicates with technology on the nozzle of the pump. A secure ENOC database logs the transactions.

The service only permits the accepted amount and fuel type based on the limits and restrictions fleet owners set, enhancing users’ efficiency. ENOC deducts payments from the customer’s account and delivers account updates immediately.

By the end of this year, ViP will replace Select Cards, the current commercial refueling system, ENOC says.

“The automation drive implemented across our network will further streamline the fundamental aspects of purchasing fuel, making it a secure experience for our commercial customers and fleet owners,” Saeed Khoory, ENOC CEO, said in a statement. “The new electronic services represent a firm step forward towards our commitment to innovation and ensuring superior service standards.”

According to The National, ENOC is struggling with the cost of subsidizing fuel for consumers, as mandated by federal legislation, and it is seeking more revenue opportunities. The Dubai government owns ENOC.

Dubai Police were among the government customers that introduced the technology, placing it in more than 3,000 vehicles this year, according to the publication.

“We’ve been testing this technology, and it saves time,” Mubarak Saeed Al Ameri, head of the vehicle and spare parts purchase section at Dubai Police, said in an interview with The National. “Sometimes with the cards there could be a problem if the staff lost a card or it is damaged.”