A new wireless fuel management system gives fleet managers a new tool to combat mistakes, waste, and fraud at company fuel pumps.

SmartFuel, introduced by SCI International of Clearwater, Fla., uses tiny radio signal transmitters fastened to vehicle fuel tanks and fuel pumps to ensure that fuel will flow only when the correct fuel nozzle is inserted into the correct tank by the correct driver. The SmartFuel system, which is controlled via a wireless RF (radio frequency) modem connected to the fleet manager's office computer, can be installed on both electronic and older mechanical fuel pumps.
Because the new RF-based system cannot be affected by voltage fluctuations or lightning storms (these disturbances typically crash cable-connected fuel management systems), SCI International guarantees the SmartFuel system to be free of all after-installation maintenance costs.
"The first benefit SmartFuel customers notice is the immediate reduction in fleet fuel costs," said SCI International's founder, Meir Ezra. "The second benefit they see is that the system is virtually maintenance free with no downtime. The third benefit they see is that computerized reports can be generated which list fueling details for any and every vehicle in the fleet."
The SmartFuel wireless management system evolved from technology developed by the Israeli Air Force to control fuel flow during in-flight refueling of aircraft.
Ezra said that customers routinely see a reduction in fleet fueling costs of 10 to 25 percent after installing the SmartFuel system.
"It's not uncommon for employees to make second incomes by reselling company fuel to friends or other businesses. One South African company cut its fleet's fuel bill by 32 percent by installing SmartFuel. The system completely eliminates fraud at the company fuel pump," said Ezra.
Ezra said customers also realize savings from SmartFuel's ability to ensure the proper fuel is dispensed into the proper tank. A Florida dairy manufacturer, Velda Farms, provides its drivers with two refueling pumps; one containing $.70-per-gallon off- road diesel fuel for the Thermo King refrigeration units on their delivery trucks, and the second containing $1.35-per-gallon on-road diesel fuel for the delivery trucks themselves. Because operating one pump was easier than operating two, drivers were filling both tanks with the $1.35-per-gallon fuel.
"We installed SmartFuel, and suddenly $1.35-per-gallon fuel pump would not release fuel into the Thermo King fuel tanks -- drivers were forced to put the proper fuels into the proper tanks. Velda reported a 25% reduction in fleet fuel costs after SmartFuel stopped this misuse of fuels."