Managing fuel expenses can be a constant challenge for business owners, especially when dealing with multiple vehicles or a growing fleet. Introducing fuel cards into your business is one of the most effective ways to regain control over fuel spend. By offering discounted rates, reducing admin headaches and providing detailed tracking of refuelling habits, fuel cards simplify your fuel management process while helping you save money.

Instead of handing out credit cards or dealing with paper receipts, fuel cards are a smarter alternative designed specifically for business vehicle expenses. They help separate fuel costs from other business outgoings, making your financial management more organised and transparent.

With a variety of fuel card options available, each tailored to different business needs, it’s important to understand how they can help you take control of your fuel spend and avoid the shock of unexpected fuel bills.

Access to Discounted and Low-Cost Fuel

Fuel cards give businesses access to fuel at competitive prices, making it easier to keep a close eye on expenses. Typically, fuel card providers offer two main pricing models: weekly fixed rates and pump price options.

Weekly Fixed-Price Fuel Cards

Weekly fixed-price cards are a popular choice for businesses operating diesel fleets. These cards lock in a diesel price every week, from Monday to Sunday, across all participating fuel sites. This means you know exactly what you’ll be paying, regardless of fluctuating pump prices. Fixed-price fuel cards such as Keyfuels, Shell CRT, Esso Commercial Vehicle, Texaco Fastfuel and Diesel Advance Pre-pay help businesses save between 2 to 4 pence per litre on average.

Pricing updates are shared weekly, usually on a Friday afternoon, giving you complete visibility and control over the upcoming week’s fuel costs. This predictability helps with budgeting and cash flow planning.

Pump Price Fuel Cards

Pump price fuel cards charge the price displayed on the pump at the time of refuelling. While these cards might not always offer direct fuel savings, they bring other benefits. Simplified administration, consolidated VAT-compliant invoices and reduced paperwork are among the key advantages. Some providers, like Allstar, also offer access to discounted diesel at selected sites, giving businesses the best of both worlds.

Both options cater to different business needs, and selecting the right one depends on your fleet's driving patterns and priorities.

Supermarket-Only Fuel Cards

For businesses whose drivers spend most of their time in urban areas, supermarket fuel cards provide a practical solution. These cards restrict usage to low-cost supermarket sites, helping you stay in control of your fuel spend. Supermarket fuel is typically 3 to 5 pence per litre cheaper than the national average, offering significant savings over time.

For example, a fleet of 40 vehicles averaging 40 mpg and covering 20,000 miles per year could save over £3,500 annually with a supermarket-only fuel card priced 4 pence per litre below the national average.

Spending Controls to Manage Driver Behaviour

One of the standout benefits of fuel cards is the level of control they give business owners over driver spending. With fuel cards, you can:

Control What Fuel is Purchased

You decide whether drivers can fill up with premium or standard fuels, ensuring costs stay within acceptable limits and avoiding unnecessary overspending.

Set Transaction Limits

Fuel cards allow you to cap how much can be spent per transaction. This prevents misuse and discourages fraudulent activity.

Time and Location Restrictions

Control when and where drivers can refuel. For example, you can restrict fuel purchases outside working hours or block access to expensive motorway service stations.

Additional Vehicle Essentials

Depending on the card provider, you may be able to authorise purchases of essential items like AdBlue, oil and other vehicle-related products, keeping everything in one streamlined system.

Track and Monitor Fuel Spend with Ease

Fuel cards simplify expense tracking by providing full visibility over your fuel spend. Every transaction is recorded with detailed information, including vehicle registration, mileage, time and location. This data is then presented in a consolidated HMRC-compliant invoice, removing the need for drivers to collect and submit receipts.

With online account management tools, you can monitor spending in real-time, 24/7. This reduces the time spent on administrative tasks and ensures you are always aware of how much is being spent, where and by whom.

How Leading Fuel Card Providers Help You Manage Costs

Top providers such as Allstar, Esso and Shell have developed comprehensive solutions to help businesses control fuel spend. Through user-friendly online portals, businesses can:

• Track fuel usage and spend in real-time
• Manage individual driver cards
• Generate consolidated invoices
• Access historical transaction data

For instance, Allstar’s Discount Diesel network offers savings of up to 10 pence per litre at participating sites. Similarly, the Esso Single Network Card provides access to over 1,000 fuel stations nationwide, ideal for businesses with long-distance drivers.

Streamlined Administration for Busy Businesses

Fuel card solutions are designed to reduce the administrative burden that comes with managing fuel expenses. Instead of sifting through piles of receipts and reconciling expenses manually, you receive clear, consolidated reports that save time and reduce errors.

Online portals allow you to:

• Access invoices and transaction data at any time
• Customise reports to suit your business needs
• Track driver performance and monitor fuel efficiency

This efficiency not only saves hours of admin time but also ensures that your business remains compliant and organised.

Nationwide Coverage with Access to Extensive Fuel Networks

Choosing the right fuel card also means gaining access to large fuel networks. Allstar offers over 7,700 fuel sites, including supermarket locations, ensuring your drivers are never far from a convenient refuelling point. With 90% coverage across the UK, fuel cards help your drivers stay on route without unnecessary detours.

For businesses operating across the country, wide network access ensures consistency, convenience and better control over fuel spend.

Enhanced Security Features for Peace of Mind

Security is a top concern for every business. Fuel cards are designed with this in mind, offering features like chip and PIN protection and card-specific restrictions. Each card is linked to a vehicle or driver, making it easier to track usage and prevent unauthorised transactions.

Some providers offer extra services, such as:

• Controlling toll payments
• Managing vehicle maintenance and repair expenses
• Enabling pre-payment for specific services

These features add an additional layer of security and control, helping you manage overall vehicle-related costs with confidence.

Find the Right Fuel Card for Your Business

Whether you’re managing a small fleet or a large operation, there is a fuel card solution to match your business needs. On Expert Compare, you can explore a range of fuel card options, each offering different benefits to help you control fuel spend, streamline administration and save money.

Use our comparison tool to find the card that best suits your business or get a quick quote today to start saving.