THE number of companies using fuel cards has doubled over the past year, a new report suggests.

A driver survey report produced by Bank of Scotland Vehicle Finance found that 56% of companies now offer drivers a fuel card.

The report adds: ‘This suggests some organisations have recognised the potential VAT cost associated with reimbursing business miles on a pence-by-pence basis, but the remaining 44% still follow the method of drivers paying and re-charging the company.’

The report found that 70% of drivers were unaware how many private miles they needed to cover to benefit from private fuel paid for them.

In March, Fleet NewsNet launched FuelWise campaign in association with Arval, to raise awareness and offer advice following a European Court of Justice ruling that will ban UK firms from claiming back VAT on company mileage expenses.