Running a business in 2025 feels like juggling fire. Costs are up. Margins are tight. And fuel? Still one of the biggest headaches. Whether you’re managing a fleet of vans or just a couple of company cars, the price at the pump isn’t just a number; it’s a pressure point. Diesel keeps bouncing around. Petrol’s not much better. And now you’ve got electric charging tariffs to think about, too.
So what do you do? You look for control. Predictability. Something that helps you tame the chaos. That’s where fuel cards come in. But not all cards are created equal. And if you’re serious about saving money and simplifying admin, you’ve got to dig deeper.
The Landscape: What the Data Says
Let’s start with the numbers. In 2023, 40,400 new fuel cards were issued, bringing the total number of active cards to 3.6 million. That’s not just growth, that’s momentum. And it’s not slowing down. Forecasts suggest fuel card volumes will hit 8.4 billion litres by 2028.
Why? Because businesses are waking up. They’re tired of chasing receipts. Tired of unpredictable costs. Tired of wasting time on admin. Fuel cards offer a way out. But only if you pick the right one.
The Big Players and What They Offer
There’s no shortage of options. Allstar, BP, Shell, Esso, Texaco, UK Fuels, fuelGenie — the list goes on. Each has its own network, pricing model, and perks. Some offer fixed weekly prices. Others give discounts at the pump. A few even support EV charging.
Allstar, for example, covers around 90% of forecourts with over 7,700 sites. It’s a beast. You can get up to 8p off per litre of diesel at truck stops, receive consolidated VAT invoices, and even add roadside cover as an option. But it’s not the cheapest. Fees are bespoke, and there’s a 1–2% surcharge if you fill up outside their network.
BP’s Supercharge card is built for mixed fleets, petrol, diesel, and EV. You get access to 7,600 sites plus the BP Pulse charging network. Discounts are solid, and the app gives real-time spend alerts. But again, there’s an annual fee of £12–£24 per card.
Shell’s Fleet App Card is all about digital. No physical card needed. Drivers can add it to Apple or Google Pay. You get access to 3,600 Shell stations and 23,000 EV charge points. Discounts are modest, 3p to 4p per litre, but the convenience is top-tier.
The Smaller Contenders
Not every business needs a giant network. If you’re local, supermarket-based cards like fuelGenie might be a better fit. No fees. No minimum spend. Accepted at Tesco, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s. You even keep your loyalty points.
Fleetone from UK Fuels is another under-the-radar option. It’s built for SMEs. You get access to 4,100 sites, up to 10p off per litre, and a slick mobile app. Fees are low, ranging from £1.50 to £2.50 per month per card.
Texaco’s Fastfuel card sticks to the old-school model: fixed weekly diesel prices. It’s simple, predictable, and accepted at 2,900 sites. You also earn Star Rewards points, which is a nice perk for staff.
The EV Shift
Electric vehicles are no longer fringe. More fleets are transitioning to hybrid or fully electric vehicles. And fuel cards are adapting. Paua’s EV Charge Card gives access to over 53,000 charge points. It’s app-based, transparent, and built for pure EV operators.
BP and Shell are also expanding their EV networks. If your fleet is transitioning, you’ll want a card that supports both fuel and charging. Otherwise, you’ll end up juggling multiple accounts, and that’s a headache nobody needs.
The Admin Advantage
Let’s talk paperwork. Fuel cards simplify everything. You get one invoice. It’s itemised. It’s HMRC-compliant. You can plug it straight into your accounting software. No more chasing receipts. No more manual logs.
Some cards even offer live dashboards. You can track spending in real time, block cards instantly, and set spending limits. That’s not just convenient, that’s control.
And if you’re managing a team? You can monitor driver behaviour, flag unusual activity, and optimise routes for improved efficiency. It’s like having a fleet manager in your pocket.
Making the Right Choice: Why Comparison Isn’t Just Smart — It’s Necessary
It’s tempting to grab the first fuel card that promises a discount. But here’s the thing — not all cards are built for the same kind of business. Some are tailored for fleets that crisscross the country. Others are better suited for local routes or sole traders who fill up at the same three stations every week. And the differences? They’re not just in branding. They’re in the numbers.
According to Fleet News UK’s 2025 industry breakdown, the average savings per litre across major fuel card providers ranges from 3.2p to 10.4p, depending on the card type, fuel station network, and usage volume. That’s a wide spread. Over the course of a year, a business spending £2,000 a month on fuel could save anywhere between £768 and £2,496, just by choosing the right card.
But it’s not just about savings.
Coverage matters. Some cards give access to over 7,000 stations nationwide. Others are limited to supermarket forecourts. If your drivers are constantly on the move, network size could mean the difference between convenience and costly detours.
Then there’s the admin side. Some cards offer real-time dashboards, automated VAT invoices, and integration with accounting software. Others still rely on monthly PDFs and manual reconciliation. If you’re managing multiple vehicles or trying to stay lean on admin hours, that difference adds up.
And let’s not forget EV compatibility. With electric vehicle adoption rising across businesses, up 23% year-on-year according to the Department for Transport, cards that support both fuel and charging are becoming essential. Shell, BP, and Paua are leading the charge here, offering hybrid solutions that let businesses track both petrol and electricity spend under one roof.
Before you commit, take a moment to compare fuel cards not just on price, but also on coverage, features, and fit. Because the best card isn’t the one with the biggest discount, it’s the one that works best for how you actually operate.
The Catch (Because There’s Always One)
Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Some cards have hidden fees. Others charge for underuse. And if your drivers fill up outside the network, you may incur surcharges.
Coverage matters too. A card with 7,000 sites sounds great, until you realise none of them are near your depot. Always check the map. Always ask about non-network charges.
And don’t forget about minimum spend requirements. Some cards only offer perks if you hit a certain threshold. If your fuel spend is low, those perks may not be applicable.
The Main Takeaways
Fuel cards aren’t glamorous. They won’t win you awards. But they’ll make your life easier. They’ll cut costs. They’ll simplify admin. They’ll give you control.
And in 2025, that’s what running a smart business is all about.
