Managing the expenses of a fleet can be onerous and costly which is where fuel cards can help. Fuel cards offer a secure method of paying for fuel nationally and internationally in some cases, which reduces the administration of fleet refuelling and reporting to the HMRC.
There are two types of fuel cards, the first is a straightforward payment card which may offer discounts on the pump price, and the second is one that gives you fixed weekly fuel prices despite the pump price. Below we have explored what fuel cards are available on the market.
The table below gives a quick price comparison of the top UK providers for fuel cards.
| Company name | Network size | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Allstar | 7,700 | Not stated |
| Shell | 3,500 | Not stated |
| BP | 8,000 | Not stated |
| Esso | 12,841 | Not stated |
| fuelGenie | 1,370 | Not stated |
| UK Fuels | 2,950 | Not stated |
| Texaco | 2,300+ | Not stated |
| Keyfuels | 2,750+ | Not stated |
| The Fuel Store | Not stated | Not stated |
| Scania | 1,900 | Up to 10p per litre |
| RAC | 7,700 | Not stated |
| Onroute | 8,500 | Up to 10p per litre |
| CSC | 3,000 | Not stated |
| edc | 6,500 | Not stated |
| DCI | 1,450+ | Not stated |
| DKV | Not stated | Not stated |
| Watson | 2,150 | Not stated |
| Applegreen | 106 | Up to 10p per litre |
| Arval | 7,700 | 2p per litre |
* The facts and figures included here come from each company’s website and were accurate at the time of writing but may have since changed. Also, please keep in mind these may not be apples to apples comparisons as each provider offers different solutions. This guide should be used as a starting off point for more research on your part.
Below we profile each of the companies’ services and features in a bit more detail.
Note companies are ranked in no particular order and this no way indicates one solution is better than another.
Topics
1. Allstar
Some of the features and benefits of Allstar’s fuel card.
- Offers a variety of fuel card options
- Claims to be the UK’s largest fuel network
- Provides an electric vehicle version
- Supermarket fuel cards
- Dedicated public sector fuel cards
- Offers a discount on diesel
- Reduce and simplify administration
- Fleet management reporting
- Combined business credit and fuel card
- HMRC compliant invoicing
Allstar offers a range of products designed to help businesses to manage their cash flow, simplify their expenses administration and reduce fuel costs. They offer a range of fuel cards and business credit cards including a combined option.
Allstar claims to be the UK’s largest fuel network with 7,700 stations and cards that are designed for specific organisations/usage. One Fuel Card provides diesel discounts and fleet management reporting. They offer a combined fuel and electric charging card to use at multi-brand charging points. They have a Supermarket Fuel Card covering all supermarkets so you can access lower prices. They also have a card designed specifically for the public sector.
2. Shell
Some of the features and benefits of Shell’s fuel card.
- Choice of a single network or multi-network cards
- Access to 3,500 stations
- Stations include Shell, Esso, Texaco, Gulf, Gleaners and Circle K
- On-site facilities at each station
- National and international card acceptance
- Provides a station locator to help planning
- Offers a Shell Motorist app
- Has a dedicated public sector offering
- Comprehensive service 24/7
- Largest fuel network in the world
Shell is a transport energy provider with its own international network of fuelling stations. They offer two business fuel cards and a public sector fuel card. They offer a single network and multi-network fuel cards.
Shell’s single network fuel card is for use at their Shell stations only which there are 1,100 across the UK. They also offer a multi-network fuel card that is accepted at Shell, Esso, Texaco, Gulf, Gleaners and Circle K, which together provides a network of 3,500 fuelling stations. They offer a station locator to help drivers find their nearest station and this can be accessed online or through their Shell Motorist app.
3. BP
Some of the features and benefits of BP’s fuel card.
- Offers a range of fuel cards to meet different business needs
- UK’s largest branded network
- Tailored pricing options
- Advanced security features
- Ease fleet management administration
- A national network of Bunker HGV sites
- Choice of single or multi-brand use cards
- Access 1,280 BP stations or 8,000 multi-brand stations
- Provides an international fleet card
- Provides a dedicated customer support team
BP is an energy supplier with a network of fuelling stations. They offer a range of fuelling cards designed for different business needs – BP PLUS for BP fuel stations only, BP PLUS Bunker for HGVs, BP Supercharge for multi-brand fuelling, and BP + Aral for international fleets.
BP’s fuel cards offer access to 1,280 BP stations and 8,000 in total using their multi-brand card. They produce weekly electronic invoices that are HMRC compliant and ease VAT claims. They offer simple payment terms to help with cash flow and a low annual fee per card. You can also earn BPme Reward points every time you use a BP station.
4. Esso
Some of the features and benefits of Esso’s fuel card.
- Cards that cater for a variety of businesses
- Small businesses to large fleets including hauliers
- Access to a large network including Esso, Shell and BP
- Discounts on Esso Synergy fuel and collect Nectar/Tesco points
- Free account for 6 months
- International coverage
- Online account access
- Choice of either weekly or monthly billing
- HMRC compliant invoices
- Dedicated support team
Esso Card is part of WEX Europe Services which is one of Europe’s largest fuel card providers. Esso has nearly 1,000 fuelling stations and their fuel cards can access a network of over 12,800 stations. Their fuel cards offer a discount on Esso Synergy fuel and you can collect Nectar and Tesco Clubcard points too.
Esso Card is available with the first 6 months account fees for free. The card provides access to fuelling stations across the UK and internationally. They give their customers access to their online account to manage their fuel costs and their cards, it gives access to either weekly or monthly invoices which are HMRC compliant.
5. fuelGenie
Some of the features and benefits of fuelGenie’s fuel card.
- Provides unlimited cards
- No fees or surcharges
- Access 1,370 supermarket fuel stations
- Complete control of your fuel cards
- Collect supermarket loyalty points
- Online account management
- HMRC approved invoices
- Offers up to 45-day credit facility
- Dedicated reporting
- Offers a public sector card option
fuelGenie is a fuel card provider that works with Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s to give vehicles access to 1,370 supermarket fuel stations across the UK. Each of these supermarkets offers loyalty cards so you can also collect points every time you fuel, and you could benefit from lower fuel costs as supermarket prices are typically 3p lower.
fuelGenie’s fuel cards give you complete control of your cards and visibility of your fuel consumption through their online account management portal which allows you to manage your cards and run reports. They do not charge application fees and there are no ongoing fuel card account management costs.
6. UK Fuels
Some of the features and benefits of UK Fuels’ fuel card.
- Offers a range of fuel cards
- Suitable for fleets, trucks and small businesses
- Access 2,950 stations across the UK
- Offers a public sector fuel card
- Flexible use across a variety of brands
- Provides a find my nearest filling station on phones and desktops
- Online account management
- A suite of reporting tools
- Minimum spend of £300 per account each month
- Single invoices that are HMRC compliant
UK Fuels provides their own fuel card as well as a range of other fuel cards that are designed for fleets, trucks, small businesses, European use and a public sector card. Their own card is called Fuelplus Fuel Card which is designed for businesses with up to 50 vehicles including LGVs.
Fuelplus Fuel Card offers access to 2,950 UK fuelling stations with fixed weekly diesel pricing or pump pricing. Customers can access their market-leading Velocity account management system which offers visibility and control of your cards and a suite of reporting tools. They provide HMRC compliant single invoices and transaction reports which you can drill down on.
7. Texaco
Some of the features and benefits of Texaco’s fuel card.
- Choice fuel cards
- Caters for cars, vans, LGV and fleets
- Access to over 2,300 fuelling stations
- Allows purchase of fuel, oil and car wash
- No card charges
- No need for fuel receipts
- E-billing
- Comprehensive online fuel management reporting
- Choice of fixed weekly pricing or pump price
- Can earn Texaco loyalty points
Texaco is a UK and Ireland fuel brand that offers a choice of fuel cards. They cater for a variety of businesses and vehicles including cars, vans, LGV and fleets. Their fuel cards are accepted at over 2,300 fuelling stations and they may be used at BP stations at a 1p litre surcharge.
Texaco’s Fastfuel Card offers competitive fixed weekly pricing at their stations and can allow oil and car wash purchases. It has no card charges, uses e-billing and has online fuel management reporting. Their Business Card is a simple pump price card that can be used at BP stations. It allows you to collect Texaco loyalty points.
8. Keyfuels
Some of the features and benefits of Keyfuels’ fuel card.
- Choice of fuel approaches
- Offers payment options to suit you
- A network of over 2,750 stations, over 540 HGV fuelling sites
- Offers integrated own yard and on the road fuelling
- Weekly fixed commercial fuel price
- Pricing based on volume and services required
- Provides a site locator tool
- Option to extend the network
- Offers sat nav downloads
- Online and offline reporting
Keyfuels is fuel card and fuel management service provider offering two fuel approaches for businesses – Direct which allows bulk buying of fuel that you can use in your own yard as well as drawdown from their network of stations; or a standard Pay As You Go card.
Keyfuels Pay As You Go fuel card gives you access to over 2,750 fuelling stations across the UK and you can extend the network if needed. Their fuel card works on a weekly fixed commercial price that is tailored to your business based on the volume you use and services that you require, and management charges are included in the price.
9. The Fuel Store
Some of the features and benefits of The Fuel Store’s fuel card.
- Provides a range of fuel cards
- Suitable for fleets that include cars, vans and trucks
- Claim to be the largest multi-brand network
- Competitive pricing
- Choice of pump price or fixed weekly prices
- Reduced administration
- HMRC approved invoices
- Allows you to monitor fuel and spend
- Regular invoices
- Dedicated account management
The Fuel Store provides products and services to assist the management of fleets which includes the provision of fuel cards. Their fuel cards are designed for fleets that can include cars, vans and trucks. They offer two types of fuel cards that give the option to pay fixed weekly prices or pump prices.
The Fuel Store’s cards offer access to the largest multi-brand network of stations including supermarkets, motorway services and truck stops across the UK. Their Fuel Card offers competitive fuel pricing to reduce business costs. Their Advantage Card offers fixed weekly prices and free online account management.
10. Scania
Some of the features and benefits of Scania’s fuel card.
- Personalised fuel cards
- Can be used for fuel and lubricants
- Save up to 10p per litre
- Competitive fuel prices
- No minimum spend and cards are free for the first year
- Sat nav downloads
- Pay as you go model
- Fixed weekly prices
- HMRC compliant business and private mileage reporting
- Dedicated account manager
Scania offers fleet management solutions which include fuel cards that can be used to purchase fuel and lubricants only. They offer fuel cards that are personalised to the vehicle to prevent misuse. The fuel cards offer a pay as you go approach, but they offer fixed weekly prices that can provide savings of up to 10p per litre.
Scania’s fuel cards have no minimum spend per month and they are offered free for the first year. They provide regular invoicing that is compliant with the HMRC in regard to business and private mileage reporting. They offer a range of discounts on their other fleet products to fuel card customers.
11. RAC
Some of the features and benefits of RAC’s fuel card.
- Nationwide coverage
- Access 7,700 refuelling stations
- 1,300 discount diesel sites
- Save on administration costs
- Manage all your transactions online
- Reporting facilities
- HMRC compliant invoices
- Weekly invoices
- Fuel site locator
- Gives access to their comprehensive fleet management tool
RAC offers a range of business fleet products which includes fuel cards which have nationwide coverage with access to 7,700 refuelling stations. They also offer a variety of breakdown cover, telematics and insurance products.
RAC’s fuel card offers discounts on diesel fuel at 1,300 refuelling sites which you can find through their fuel site locator. Their fuel card and reporting facilities can save you time and money on administration costs with weekly invoices that are HMRC compliant. They give customers access to their comprehensive fleet management tool to help you better manage your fleet and reduce your costs.
12. Onroute
Some of the features and benefits of Onroute’s fuel card.
- Convenient refuelling option
- Access up to 8,500 stations
- Covers a wide a variety of brands including supermarkets
- Save up 10p per litre
- Reduce admin costs
- Single HMRC approved invoice
- Detailed reporting
- Helps to manage budgets
- No setup costs or fees
- No minimum spend or contract
Onroute is the fuel card division of Mabanaft Ltd a fuel wholesaler who launched Onroute fuel cards to provide low wholesale trading prices. They claim that they can offer up to 10p per litre saving over the pump price.
Onroute gives drivers access to 8,500 refuelling stations that include a wide variety of stations including Shell, Esso, BP, Murco, Total, Tesco, Morrisons, Jet and other independents. Their fuel card offers reduced admin costs, single invoices that are HMRC approved and a detailed reporting suite. They provide their fuel cards with no setup costs and no fees, it also has no minimum spend or contract and flexible credit terms.
13. CSC
Some of the features and benefits of CSC’s fuel card.
- Tailor-made fuel card solutions
- Covers the UK and Ireland
- Access to over 3,000 sites
- Suitable for small to large businesses
- PIN operated cards
- Fuel only cards
- Offers e-billing
- Online account management
- Reporting facility
- Offers increase control over your drivers
CSC is a fuel card provider that is based in Ireland but offers coverage throughout the UK and Ireland. Their fuel card gives you access to over 3,000 refuelling sites. They have designed their fuel card to meet the needs of small to large businesses with their tailor-made solutions.
CSC’s fuel cards are PIN operated for extra security and can only be used for fuel. You can add further controls such as spending limits, transaction limits and which fuel stations can be used. They offer the option of having e-billing and they provide online account management which allows you to view transactions, prices, access invoices and extract Excel reports.
14. edc
Some of the features and benefits of edc’s fuel card.
- Flexible and convenient fuel card
- Fixed weekly diesel prices
- Access to 6,500 refuelling stations across Europe
- Itemised weekly invoices
- VAT approved invoices
- Online account management
- No minimum spend
- e-route mapping tool to plan routes
- Use e-route to find stations
- Produce accurate fuel efficiency report
edc is the European Diesel Card which is a business fuel card provider that offers cards that can be used across Europe in 6,500 refuelling stations. They claim to offer competitive diesel prices designed for those who operate domestic and international fleets.
edc has created its fuel card to be a cost-effective, flexible and convenient product that requires no minimum spend. They provide fully itemised weekly invoices to help you track spend and these invoices are VAT approved. They also provide online account management which allows you access to invoices, manage your account and produce fuel efficiency reports. It also includes e-route mapping to plan routes and find stations.
15. DCI
Some of the features and benefits of DCI’s fuel card.
- Offers a range of fuel cards
- Operates across the whole of Ireland
- Provides access to the largest network of filling stations in Ireland
- Network of over 1,450 stations
- Competitive weekly rates
- Forecourts include Topaz, Texaco and Top
- e-billing with VAT approved invoices
- e-route mapping to plan routes
- Use e-route to find filling stations
- Mobile app and sat nav downloads
DCI operates across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland offering fuel cards that have a network of over 1,450 filling stations across the country. They claim to have the largest Irish network of filling stations including Topaz, Texaco and Top.
DCI’s fuel card offers competitive fuel prices that are based on weekly rates to provide discount fuel to card customers. They provide customers with access to their online account management tool called Velocity which allows you to manage your cards and invoices. They also provide access to the e-route mapping tool which enables you to plan routes and find filling stations via their mobile app or sat nav downloads.
16. DKV
Some of the features and benefits of DKV’s fuel card.
- Climate-neutral fuelling card
- International coverage
- PIN code protection
- Reduce administration
- Vehicle specific invoices
- Offers a large supply network
- Integrated fuel station finder
- Route planner
- Can be used for alternative fuels like LPG, biodiesel and natural gas
- Award-winning provider
DKV is a cash-free transport support business operating internationally providing toll payments and fuel cards. They claim to be the first climate-neutral fuelling card that helps businesses to have greater insight into their fleet carbon footprint. They are an award-winning provider for their fuel cards.
DKV’s fuel cards are a secure form of payment as they have PIN code protection to prevent misuse and they replace lost cards straight away. They provide assistance in managing the administration side of fleets’ fuelling and they provide vehicle-specific invoices. They have a large supply network and provide customers with an integrated mapping tool to help find fuel stations and plan routes.
17. Watson
Some of the features and benefits of Watson’s fuel card.
- Offers competitive wholesale prices
- Uses multi branded network of stations
- Has a strong HGV network
- Over 2,150 sites
- Weekly national fuel price
- Can be used some supermarket stations for an extra surcharge
- PIN security management
- Sat nav downloads
- Provides a find my nearest fuel station
- Operates on the UK Fuels network
Watson is a nationwide fuel card service provider that caters for fleets of all sizes to help ease the administration and expense of fuelling fleets. They operate using UK Fuels network which gives them access to over 2,150 refuelling stations which includes a strong HGV network and multi-brands including some supermarkets at an extra surcharge.
Watson’s fuel card gives their customers access to a fixed weekly national fuel price to help better budget for fuel. They provide fuel cards that are secure as they have PIN code protection. They support drivers with their find my nearest fuel station tool and sat nav downloads.
18. Applegreen
Some of the features and benefits of Applegreen’s fuel card.
- Operates across the UK and Ireland
- Caters for business fleets of cars, vans and HGVs
- Minimum use of 500 litres per month
- Competitive pricing
- Choice of pump price and weekly pricing
- No card fees or hidden charges
- Online account management
- Make online orders and view invoices online
- Access to over 1,400 stations and 106 service stations nationally
- Dedicated account manager
Applegreen is a fuel card provider that operates across the UK and Ireland catering for fleets that comprise of cars, vans and HGVs. They offer two fuel cards – Applegreen Fuelcard is a pump price card that can offer up to 10p saving per litre, and Applegreen Fuelcard PLUS offers competitive fixed weekly price and access to 1,400 forecourts including supermarket forecourts.
Applegreen’s fuel cards have no card or admin fees and no hidden fees with regular invoicing that are VAT approved and eliminates the need to reconcile receipts. Customers are given access to their online account management tool which allows them to make online orders and view invoices.
19. Arval
Some of the features and benefits of Arval’s fuel card.
- Reduce costs and administration
- Single monthly invoice
- Insights into your fleet
- Accurate reporting
- Access the AllStar network
- 7,700 fuel sites across the UK including supermarkets
- Discounts available at 1,800 sites
- HMRC approved invoices
- Chip and PIN security
- Allows you to control the use of the cards
Arval provides fuel cards to their existing customers to help them reduce the cost and burden of managing a fleet through access to better prices and reduced administration. They utilise the AllStar network which allows them to offer 7,700 fuel sites across the UK including supermarkets.
Arval’s fuelling station network also includes 1,800 discount sites where customers get 2p per litre discount from the pump price. Their cards are protected by chip and PIN technology and you can manage the controls on the cards to restrict purchases and fuel brands. They will send a single monthly invoice which is approved by the HMRC.
FAQs
What Does A Fuel Card Do?
Company fuel cards allow drivers to pay for company fuel when they’re out and about. It’s an alternative option instead of using credit, debit cards or cash. The business money goes onto these fuel cards and then is given to the staff who needs it.
As a result, fuel cards can help companies save money on fuel costs and reduce the administration time typically needed to process employee business expenses.
For many companies, the use of a card for fuel is great for those with plenty of employees out on the road and need to be topping up on fuel regularly.
Is It Worth Getting A Fuel Card?
A card for fuel eliminates the need for the employees to pay and then later claim back their expenses when it comes to fuel. It’s like a company credit card or pre-paid credit card that some employees may also have.
There are many benefits to using a card for fuel to supply your employees with fuel. These are:
– Improve security and safer option for carrying around company cash
– Quick and easy way to pay for fuel
– Tighter control over your business expenses with easier tracking of money spent
– Streamlines the tedious admin tasks
– Better flexibility when managing an extensive network of employee drivers
– Great for those who need better fleet management
You can easily track fuel consumption when using a fuel card, and it helps to save money for the business. Regardless of the fuel payment, company fuel cards can help your business funds go that extra bit further.
With fuel prices going up, it’s one way of helping manage the cost of fuel more cost-effective.
Do You Get Taxed On A Company Fuel Card?
Being able to save taxes is helpful for businesses, so would you get taxed on a company fuel card?
For those companies who use fuel cards for business purposes, it’s not classed as a taxable benefit. However, if the driver in question is using the card to cover the cost of fuel for personal travel, then as a company, it’s liable to pay tax charges.
It’s best to ensure your employees know what is classed as business fuel and what is personal. If they do use it for personal use, you may be able to use some of the fuel payments to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
How Much Do You Save With A Fuel Card?
A company fuel card could save you money on your fuel purchases for the business. The price you may be expected to pay might be less than what you see when you’re at the pump.
With many fuel cards available, it’s good to find the right one for you, whether it offers fixed weekly prices at certain pumps or discounts on the pump prices at locations specified by fuel card providers.
There can be a lot of savings made by using fuel cards for a company car. If you have a fleet of company cars, then a company fuel card makes perfect sense for saving money both in the short-term and long-term.
Some fuel stations will be more affordable, whether it’s diesel fuel, petrol or electric, due to having a card for fuel, so it’s worth considering.
What Does A Fuel Card Cost?
Typically fuel cards will have no upfront costs other than what you plan to load onto the card for use by the employee. You may want to determine which employees get a bigger fuel allowance, whether that’s due to the amount of travel they do or their seniority within the organisation.
Can I Use A Fuel Card For Personal Use?
Fuel cards for personal use, whilst they could be used for such a purpose, may make it difficult for a company to decipher what is business travel and what isn’t. However, this might be typical for many company car owners or those who use their car as they operate when working.
Is It Better To Have A Fuel Card Or Credit Card?
When comparing the benefits between a fuel and credit card, it’s likely a better option to go with a company fuel card over the latter.
A fuel card company will provide interest-free credit, which is not the case for most company credit cards. When you purchase fuel with a card specifically used for fuel, there can be some great savings at your employee’s petrol stations.
A fuel card account can make things easy to separate the costs that each employee accumulates over the working month. Company fuel cards are worth having if you need them for your business this year.