DRIVERS at Tarmac Construction are being recharged the precise cost for their private mileage following the introduction of Dialcard fuel cards. As a result frugal drivers are reaping the benefits of a light right foot, while drivers with a heavy right foot are paying more for their driving style.

Tarmac previously used a variety of methods to buy fuel, including fuel cards, as well as drivers paying for their fuel personally and seeking reimbursement according to fixed rate mpg figures. Now its 3,000 drivers must fill in a weekly mileage report, specifying business travel, and send this to Harpur's operations centre which processes Dialcard fuel bills.

Harpur subtracts the business mileage from the driver's total mileage (recorded by petrol stations at every fuel fill-up), and the remainder is assumed to be private mileage. Harpur also uses the information captured at refuelling to calculate the exact fuel cost-per-mile figure for each individual driver.

The introduction of the new system required sensitive handling with Tarmac's employees, and Harpur account managers held a series of seminars around the country to explain the new procedures. The scheme has been approved by the Inland Revenue.