Agreement enhances customer offerings and supports GSA's goals to
increase electric vehicles in federal fleet
SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine, Aug 09, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Wright Express Corporation (NYSE: WXS), a leading global provider of
business payment processing and information management solutions to the
U.S. commercial and government fleet industry, today announced that it
has entered into an agreement with Merit Builders, Inc. as the first to
accept the Wright
Express Universal Fleet Card for electric vehicle (EV) charging. The
relationship comes at a time of increasing interest for EVs,
particularly in the federal fleet, due to mandates by the U.S. General
Services Administration (GSA) requiring all new federal vehicle
purchases to be alternative-fueled vehicles by 2015, and ultimately
reducing the country's dependence on oil.
As a nationally recognized, independent erector with a commitment to
renewable energy sources, Merit Builders has developed products that
will enable the charging of government vehicles to be a simple and
efficient process for the user, while simultaneously providing the
reporting requirements the GSA is accustomed to. Together with Merit
Builders, Wright Express recently demonstrated use of its Universal
Fleet Card at one of Merit's Charging Stations during the GSA
Sustainable Development Conference in Washington, D.C. in June.
"We are extremely pleased with the traction we've made to date in the
development and certification testing of the Wright Express cards at our
EV erg-Go charging station," said David Gochenaur, COO of Merit
Builders. "Similar to Wright Express, we are deeply dedicated to our
customers and it's exciting to be the first to partner in providing
enhanced offerings for fleets with EVs."
Establishing a relationship with Merit aligns with Wright Express' goal
to expand its network to accommodate all types of vehicles.
Additionally, GSA Fleet, providing quality vehicles and efficient and
economical fleet management services to over 75 participating federal
agencies since 1954, is a Wright Express fleet card customer.
"We are actively in discussions with other EV charging companies, and
especially those working with GSA, given our shared focus in the growing
area of alternative fuels," said David D. Maxsimic, Executive Vice
President of Sales and Marketing at Wright Express. "By teaming up, we
broaden our acceptance network for our commercial and government fleet
customers and streamline their payment and information management
solutions - all of which makes it easier for those on the GSA schedule
to achieve their goals."
About Merit Builders
Merit Builders, Inc. is a nationally recognized metal building erector.
In 2009 the company created a new division that focuses on the
infrastructure development of EVs. This division has been named Erg-go.
The Erg-go product line ranges from stand alone EV chargers, to fleet
size solar covered canopies with EV charging built in. The Erg-go
products are all listed on Merit Builder's GSA schedule, contract
#GS-071-0218x schedule 056.
About Wright Express
Wright Express (NYSE:WXS) is a leading provider of value-based, business
payment processing and information management solutions. The company's
fleet, corporate and prepaid payment solutions provide its more than
350,000 customers with unparalleled security and control across a wide
spectrum of business sectors. The company's subsidiaries include Wright
Express Financial Services, Pacific Pride and Wright Express
International, including Wright Express Prepaid Cards Australia and
Wright Express Fuel Cards Australia. Wright Express and its subsidiaries
employ more than 850 associates in six countries. For more information
about Wright Express, please visit wrightexpress.com.
SOURCE: Wright Express Corporation
Wright Express
Jessica Roy, 207-523-6763
Jessica_Roy@wrightexpress.com