WEX and the NRMA have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at giving Australian small businesses more coordinated access to fuel payment services and roadside assistance.
Under the arrangement, the NRMA will become the exclusive roadside assistance partner for WEX in Australia, while WEX Motorpass will become the exclusive fuel card partner for NRMA Business Members.
The collaboration is focused on small-to-medium businesses that rely on vehicles but may not have the resources or purchasing scale of a large fleet operation.
WEX Motorpass customers will be offered 25 per cent off NRMA Business Roadside, with no membership fee during the first year. NRMA Business Members will receive an introductory discount of six cents per litre for six months, along with a 30 per cent ongoing reduction in card fees.
WEX said its Motorpass card can be used at 95 per cent of service stations across Australia, giving business operators a central payment and expense-management option for vehicle-related purchases.
Fuel remains a major business cost
The organisations said fuel expenditure remains one of the most significant pressures facing small business fleets.
A survey of almost 450 NRMA Business Members found 77 per cent identified fuel as their greatest fleet-related cost.
While introductory discounts may provide an immediate saving, the longer-term value for operators will depend on how effectively the fuel card is used to monitor expenditure, improve reporting and identify changes in driver or vehicle performance.
Matt Arthur, Vice President and GM, APAC Mobility at WEX, said the collaboration was designed to provide practical support to businesses operating vehicles.
“Our collaboration with NRMA is about delivering tangible value to the people who keep the Australian economy moving,” Arthur said.
“By joining forces with another AfMA partner, we’re providing our customers with an exclusive suite of support tools that help them manage their business more effectively. This is about two industry leaders coming together to make life on the road simpler for everyone.”
Both organisations are corporate partners of the Australasian Fleet Management Association, with the new arrangement extending their existing involvement in the fleet sector.
Combining payments and roadside support
For small fleets, fuel payments and roadside assistance are often managed as separate services. The WEX and NRMA collaboration brings the two functions closer together, although customers will still need to assess the offers against their own vehicle mix, travel patterns and existing supplier arrangements.
NRMA General Manager Marketing and Proposition Kate McBean said small business operators were often under significant time and cost pressure.
“Small businesses are a vital part of our community, but they are often the most time-pressed,” McBean said.
“This collaboration allows us to offer our members a fuel management solution that matches the reliability of our roadside assistance and, crucially, reduces the fuel cost on our members. We are proud to work with WEX to further our shared mission of supporting the Australian fleet industry and delivering even more value to our members.”
The organisations also plan to develop information for business owners covering fuel efficiency, fleet safety and changes in the energy market.
For Fleet Managers and business owners, the collaboration reflects a broader trend towards packaging vehicle payments, roadside assistance and fleet support services into more integrated arrangements. The practical benefit will depend on whether the combined services reduce administration, improve visibility of operating costs and provide suitable coverage for the vehicles and locations involved.
