From driver shortages and lack of safe parking to the volatile cost of fuel, the trucking industry is facing all kinds of challenges today.
So how can a fuel card help? You might think it’s just a different way to pay for your business fuel, but actually, there are all sorts of benefits of business fuel cards.
From saving money to reducing admin, we’ve listed the top 10 fuel card benefits below. To help you find the best one for your business.
1. Cost control and savings
One of the biggest issues affecting transportation and logistics businesses today is the cost of fuel. So naturally, the first fuel card benefit on our list is the enhanced ability to control costs and make savings.
From volume discounts and bespoke fuel prices, to detailed tracking to help prevent fraud, fuel card providers like Certas Energy offer lots of ways to help keep costs under control. When mileage is high, these savings can really add up.
2. Improved cash flow management
Cash flow management is also easier when you choose fuel cards over traditional payment methods such as credit cards.
This is because many fuel cards don’t involve credit agreements, so you more or less pay for your business fuel as and when you use it.
The benefit of this is that interest doesn’t mount up, and fuel payments are taken out regularly, rather than as big, one-off bills. This makes managing cash flow much simpler.
3. Detailed reporting and tracking
Some fuel cards use technology to help you analyse fuel usage trends and track where and when drivers are filling up in real time. This is often done through GPS tracking and onboard diagnostics.
Collecting insights like this can help you with strategic planning, as well as identifying areas where efficiencies and savings can be made.
4. Increased security
Over a quarter of fleet drivers (26%) admit they’ve seen other drivers engaging in fraudulent activity at work*. But did you know that with some of the best fuel cards, you can impose custom transaction and frequency limits? This helps prevent fraudulent use of your business fuel cards, which could save thousands in the long term.
Another security benefit is the networks attached to the fuel cards. At Certas Energy, Fuel Card users have access to a network of over 4,000 refuelling sites nationwide, including our specialist HGV bunker sites – which offer secure parking and facilities that are specially designed to support HGV drivers. You can find a map of the network here.
5. Keeping things simple for drivers
Not all truck drivers have the cash flow to pay for fuel on their personal credit cards and wait for reimbursement. So, one of the key benefits of a fuel card is that it takes a huge amount of stress out of paying at the pump.
Likewise, having a network of refuelling stations to plan routes around can massively streamline the search for suitable stops. This can prevent drivers from having to go out of their way to fill up, saving both time and fuel.
6. Better fleet efficiency
Some providers, such as Certas Energy, offer detailed fill efficiency reporting. This allows you to compare the value of individual transactions against each truck’s tank capacity.
Having access to granular insights like this can help you drive efficiencies across your fleet – lowering emissions, reducing your carbon footprint, and helping your business reach its sustainability goals.
7. Streamlined administrative work
The saying goes that time is money, and fuel cards are brilliant at saving time on all the admin that surrounds paying for business fuel.
Many offer automated invoicing, transaction logs, and integration with fleet management systems. This helps reduce the time spent manually processing receipts and other paperwork, giving you the time back to focus on more strategic business interests.
8. Tax-related advantages
Simplifying admin also makes it quicker and easier to complete tasks such as VAT reclaim, expense tracking and tax deductions.
With automated HMRC-compliant invoices, and clear records that validate your fuel card taxable benefits, fuel cards offer a faster, easier way of maximising tax efficiency.
9. Loyalty benefits and rewards
We mentioned above that driver recruitment is one of the top challenges facing the industry at the moment. So how can fuel cards help you attract and retain staff?
Well, lots of fuel cards now come with membership benefits such as cashback, high street discounts, and wellbeing services. Which can make a small but valuable contribution to happier, healthier drivers – and lower recruitment costs.
10. A fuel partner you can count on
With Certas Energy Fuel Cards, having a card isn’t just about how you pay at the pump. It’s about long-term strategic partnership.
As the UK’s largest independent fuel supplier, we know the industry back to front – and manage a fleet of trucks ourselves. This makes us perfectly placed to share our expertise, and work together to boost efficiency, control costs, and drive your business goals.
Learn more about our Fuel Card services here, or enquire now to get started today.
*Source: Shell ‘Fraud Matters’ Report.
