What a forecourt POS has to do
- Pump control: authorise pumps, show live deliveries and settle fuel at the kiosk.
- Pay at pump: outdoor payment terminals (OPTs) on or beside the pumps for card and fuel card payments, including out of hours.
- Fuel cards: accept commercial fuel cards such as those used by fleets and businesses, with the product restrictions and mileage prompts they need.
- Shop EPOS: barcode scanning, age-restricted sales, lottery and services, often with a convenience retail partner’s price files.
- Back office: wetstock (fuel stock) management, price changes, reports and head office links for dealer groups.
Fuel Finder: report price changes within 30 minutes
Since 2 February 2026, UK petrol stations must report fuel price changes to the government’s Fuel Finder scheme within 30 minutes of making them. The data feeds the Fuel Finder service and other price comparison tools, and the CMA monitors compliance. Ask your forecourt EPOS provider how price changes are sent automatically. Sources: Fleet News, CMA.
Specialist forecourt providers
Forecourt EPOS is a specialist market. Established names in the UK include HTEC, Scheidt & Bachmann, Madic and Gilbarco Veeder-Root, alongside systems supplied by fuel brands to their dealer sites. Card acquiring is usually contracted separately, so you can compare card rates with acquirers such as Worldpay, Elavon, Barclaycard, Lloyds Cardnet and Global Payments. If you hold a fuel brand supply agreement, check which EPOS and payment providers it requires.
Keeping card costs down on fuel
Fuel sales are high-value and low-margin, so the percentage card rate matters a great deal. Large forecourts usually negotiate quoted or interchange++ pricing rather than flat rates. Commercial and fuel cards carry different costs from consumer cards. Get your card mix from your current statements and ask for prices on each card type. See card machine fees.
Last updated: 16 October 2026
