ARVAL PHH has joined forces with BP to launch a diesel fuel card for light and heavy commercial vehicles which it claims could slash tens of thousands of pounds from company bills.

Drivers can use the all-new Commercial Diesel Card (CDC) at 1,500 BP sites throughout the country, including 500 bunkering sites, where discounted fuel will be available. Fuel bought at forecourt sites will be paid for at pump prices.

As part of the CDC service, a route planning helpdesk has been set up so drivers can find their nearest BP Bunker site.

Arval PHH claims the venture plugs a gap in a poorly-served market for lcv fuel cards and has already begun signing up customers to the service. The service is linked to the ARVAL PHH InterActive service, so fleet managers can add and remove cards online. Martin Hender, director of fuel at ARVAL PHH, said: 'With CDC, we are now in a position to offer fuel management products to suit every fleet, whether comprised of cars, vans, trucks or a mixture of all.

'If clients already have AllStar fuel cards, then we can combine the monthly invoicing for the two cards to further reduce administration. CDC completes the array of commercial vehicle products offered by ARVAL PHH.'

Companies buying bunkered fuel will be given differing discounts on pump prices, depending on the size of their fleet and the volume of fuel they buy.

Gordon Balmer, BP's stategic alliances manager, said: 'Commercial vehicle operators need to know where they can get the diesel they need at the right price.

'This new card gives them access to the UK's most comprehensive bunkering network and also provides all the management information and administrative support they could ever need.'