Fuel Program Summary
Caterpillar is pleased to announce the GCI Fuel Offer from September 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023. Caterpillar is offering this program to help our customers with one of the largest operating costs.
What benefits will a customer receive by participating in this Fuel Program?
FUEL PAYBACK CREDIT
Get account credit for the first 1500 hours or 24 months of fuel, whichever comes first.
Is this Fuel Program still relevant?
Yes, fuel costs continue to be a top operating cost for customers. Depending upon the machine, fuel costs can account for approximately 24% to 35% of a customer’s total operating cost.
What Cat® machines qualify for this program?
A detailed list of eligible machines and their respective fuel consumption guarantee levels can be found at end of this FAQ.
How do I enroll in the program?
Enrollment is simple and can be done online at fpp.cat.com. Please contact your machine sales rep with any questions.
How many days do I have from the date of sale to enroll my machine in the program?
You have 60 days from the date of sale to enroll qualified machine(s) in the program.
How long will Caterpillar offer this program?
This program will be offered from September 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023. Any qualified machine(s) purchased between these dates are eligible to be enrolled in the Fuel Program.
How long am I eligible to receive a payment from Caterpillar for this Program?
An enrolled machine is eligible to receive credit payment for up to 2-years or 1,500-hours, whichever occurs first, from the date of sale. Cat Credits will be awarded four times a year up to 1,500 hours or the 2-year mark from date of sale for any amounts due under the Program. This Cat Credit may be redeemed to pay for parts, service, or rental excluding new machine purchases. The Cat Credit may be used at any Cat Dealer whose currency matches that of the currency issued on the credit. The Cat Credit will be sent to the email address provided by the customer at the time of enrollment. If a customer’s email address changes during the duration of the Fuel Program, it is the customer’s responsibility to update their email address with Caterpillar directly through the Fuel Program website. The issued credit will be valid up to one year from date of issuance.
Below is the equation for how a credit is calculated.
Equation:
Fuel Program Payout = Y x A x B
Y = Run Time Fuel Consumption Level
A = Run Time Hours as Reported by Product Link (Up to 2 yrs. or 1,500 hrs.)
B = $1.4 Reimbursement Rate per Liter (Depending upon selling dealer’s location)
B = $3.65 Reimbursement Rate per Gallon (Depending upon selling dealer’s location)
The maximum credit Caterpillar will pay a customer under the Fuel Program is 1.5 x the published run time fuel level by model.
Scenario:
A U.S. based customer purchases and enrolls a new 336 excavator on October 1, 2023. In December 2023, fpp.cat.com indicates the customer operated the 336 for 250 hours and had a run time fuel consumption level of 5.00 gallons/hour.
Example Calculation:
1st Payment: Fuel Program Credit = 5.00 gal/hr. x 250 hrs. x $3.65/gal = $4563
Reimbursement Rate:
- $3.65 US/gallon if sold by U.S. Dealer
- $1.4 CAD/liter if sold by Canadian Dealer
What is a machine status report and how will I receive it?
Upon request, dealers can email an average year to date fuel consumption machine status report for enrolled machines. This report will display the machine measured run time fuel consumption vs. the published run time fuel level.
How did Caterpillar determine the maximum fuel payout limit for this Fuel Program?
The maximum fuel payment is 1.5x the published run time fuel level by model. This was determined following extensive analysis of qualifying machines operating within North America in all applications, idle time levels, operator experience levels and site layout efficiencies. The published run time fuel levels by model set forth by this Fuel Program are firm, final and non-negotiable.
How is fuel consumption measured?
Fuel consumption is measured by Caterpillar based upon Product Link data transferred from the specific enrolled machine.
How can a customer determine their machine’s fuel consumption?
A customer can observe run time fuel consumption data through VisionLink. The measured run time fuel consumption for the Fuel Program will be based on Product Link data. That data may or may not reflect a customer’s actual fuel bill. This could occur for a variety of reasons (meter accuracy, tank volume, temperature, the time zone used to report data, etc.) Regardless of the rationale, the maximum credit Caterpillar will pay to a customer under the Fuel Program is 1.5 x the published run time fuel level by model.
What if a customer’s machine has a Product LinkTM/fpp.cat.com reporting issue?
Product Link data will be utilized to determine a customer’s run time fuel consumption rate. The amount credited will be determined by the Product Link data received by Caterpillar. If a customer is experiencing a reporting issue, where Product Link data is not being received by Caterpillar, (due to a lack of cellular reception etc.) please involve your local Caterpillar dealer. Any data reporting issues should be remedied as soon as possible to ensure an accurate customer credit.
Is the Fuel Program transferrable to a second owner?
No. A qualifying machine is no longer eligible for the Fuel Program once it is no longer owned by the initial purchaser. Examples where Fuel Program termination will occur include customer returns a new machine to the dealer, customer sells or otherwise disposes of an enrolled machine to a second owner or third party, etc.
Does the Fuel Program involve a promise or guarantee?
No. There is no guarantee that a customer's qualifying machine will achieve a rate of fuel consumption that is the same as or better than the published run time fuel level by model. The Fuel Program is not a guarantee of fuel efficiency or fuel consumption performance. The value of a Cat Credit is not compensation for excessive fuel use. Run time fuel consumption is calculated from the data reported by Product Link.
What if a customer doesn’t want to participate in the Fuel Program?
Enrollment in the Fuel Program is completely voluntary. The Fuel Program requires active enrollment by the customer. The customer can choose to not enroll.
What if a customer asks for the Fuel Program payout in cash as opposed to Cat Credit?
No credit will be issued in cash. All credit will be issued on a Cat Credit four times a year for the Fuel Program duration.
Why is the credit payment rate different by country?
The decision was made to pay at a rate of $3.65/gal in the US and $1.4/liter in Canada.
If a customer moves a machine out of the original state or province in which it was purchased, will the machine still qualify for the Fuel Program?
Yes, provided that a machine purchased in the United States remains in the U.S. or a machine purchased in Canada remains in Canada, moving the machine to a state or province from the one in which it was purchased will not cause (1) a customer to forfeit their enrollment in the Fuel Program or (2) Fuel Program termination related to that machine. The credit will be sent to the original email address provided during enrollment unless the customer has revised their email address through the VisionLink website.
Can a customer still participate in the Fuel Program if they move their machine outside of the U.S. or Canada?
No. This is a United States and Canada only administered Fuel Program. If a machine is moved outside of these countries, the machine will no longer be eligible for the Fuel Program.
