The move sees IDS, part of the Kuwait Petroleum Company, expand its presence in emerging markets such as Croatia and Slovakia where it has already recently added new service stations to its network. It also brings completely new service stations in central European countries that were already part of the IDS network such as in Gdansk, Poland.

The company says it is also committed to continually expanding its network in Western Europe in countries where it has long been active, such as Germany, the Netherlands, France and Italy. This includes the building of a completely new service station in Mulhouse in France and the extension of the IDS acceptance network with an additional 13 sites in Germany.

IDS added that the aim is to offer service stations in places where there is ample space to do so, thereby offering the best access for truck drivers as well as all the required amenities.

Pieter Declerck, general manager IDS Europe, confirmed that these new site openings are part of a long-term plan. 

“Each of these new sites is proof that the IDS is committed to giving our customers the pan-European scope of service they want and need, but we will not be stopping here and will continue to invest in the future,” said Mr Declerck.

IDS also said it is the first fuel supplier to launch a contactless smart fuel card with an RFID chip and personal PIN number. Every transaction undergoes an online authorisation check, and there’s a security team available monitoring all suspicious transactions 365 days a year.

IDS has recently launched a service that enables cashless, electronic payment of motorway tolls across Europe.