Every fuel stop, toll, parking fee and service appointment generates another transaction to manage. As fleets become increasingly connected, organisations are looking for simpler ways to manage these payments while improving visibility and control.
In a recent interview with Fleet Auto News, Chris Tulloch, President, Custom Fleet, shared his perspective on how vehicle-initiated payments could simplify fleet operations and support the next evolution of connected fleet management.
Connected vehicle payment technology has the potential to streamline fleet payments while providing greater visibility, control and insight into operating costs.

For many organisations, fuel cards have long been the standard way to manage fleet vehicle expenses. But as fleets become more connected and mobility needs increase in complexity, payment solutions are evolving, too.
Vehicle-initiated payments have the potential to support a wider range of vehicle-related transactions, from refuelling and EV charging to tolls, parking and servicing.
Bringing these expenses together through connected technology could reduce administration while giving fleet managers greater oversight of spend.
This isn't simply a future concept.
Element Fleet Management, Custom Fleet's parent company, recently acquired Car IQ (opens in a new tab), a leader in vehicle payment technology. The capability is already being introduced in other markets across the Element business, with this capability expected to become available in Australia and New Zealand as the rollout continues.
This investment reflects a broader commitment to connected mobility solutions that help customers simplify fleet management while improving visibility, control and operational efficiency.
Modern fleet management is built on data.
The more visibility organisations have over vehicle activity and fleet-related spending, the better equipped they are to identify trends, manage costs and improve operational performance.
As connected technologies continue to develop, payment information has the potential to become another valuable source of fleet intelligence, complementing telematics, utilisation insights and Strategic Advisory Services to support more informed decision-making.
The fleet industry is continuing to embrace digital innovation, with connected vehicles creating new opportunities to improve efficiency and simplify day-to-day fleet operations.
Vehicle-initiated payments are one example of how technology is helping organisations move towards more connected, intelligent fleet management.
Combined with fleet expertise, connected data and Strategic Advisory Services, these innovations have the potential to reshape how organisations manage fleet operations today and into the future.
Chris Tulloch shares his perspective on the future of vehicle-initiated payments and connected fleet technology in his interview with Fleet Auto News.
Read the full article: Vehicle-initiated payments could take fleets beyond digital fuel cards. (opens in a new tab)
Read Element’s press release: Element to acquire Car IQ, creating the fleet industry’s first scaled platform for intelligent, vehicle-initiated payments