Operational Lease Fuel/Charge Card: How Does a Charge Card Work?

Fuel and Charge Management in One Contract

When you opt for operational lease for your car, you can often request a brand-specific or universal fuel card and charge card. The leasing company pre-finances the costs for fuel or electricity and processes them on the periodic invoice. As a driver, you no longer have to keep separate receipts or manually submit expense claims to accounting.

Benefits of a Linked Lease Card

The use of an integrated fuel or charge card offers clear administrative advantages to both the employer and the business driver, as well as direct insight into consumption.

• All fuel and charging transactions on one clear collective invoice
• Direct insight into consumption and mileage per vehicle
• No hassle with separate expense claims and cash payments on the go

Electric Charging and Reimbursement of Home Electricity

For electric lease vehicles, the charge card can be linked to a charging station at the driver's home address. The smart charging station accurately registers how many kilowatt-hours have been charged for business use and automatically settles these electricity costs with the employer or leasing company. For the tax treatment and reimbursement of home electricity, consult the current rules of the Tax Authorities (Belastingdienst) or your advisor.

What Costs are Covered by the Charge Card?

In addition to the pure energy costs, there may also be start-up fees, roaming costs, or subscription fees associated with using certain charging networks. Some lease contracts fully integrate these costs into the monthly lease rate, while others settle them separately. The charge card then functions as a payment method, and settlement takes place via the leasing company's monthly invoice, which simplifies the administrative process for the driver.

Why are There Different Charge Cards and Charging Networks?

Leasing companies often collaborate with one or more charge card providers to ensure the widest possible coverage for their lease drivers. The number of available charging points and compatibility with different charging networks are important considerations when choosing a charge card. The functionality of the charge card is therefore crucial: a universal card that provides access to a wide range of charging networks increases ease of use and flexibility for the driver of a lease vehicle.

Frequently asked questions