If you drive a lot for business or manage a fleet, a fuel card can save you money and time. It offers discounted fuel prices, simplifies billing, and helps control spending. Whether you’re a sole trader or run a large fleet, a fuel card makes managing fuel costs easier and more efficient.
If you run a business, manage a fleet, or just cover a lot of miles each week, chances are you’ve heard of fuel cards. Maybe you’ve been offered one. Maybe you’ve wondered whether it could actually save you money compared to your usual debit card or mileage claims.
So, is it worth it? How does a fuel card work, how much can it really save you, and is it the right fit for your business?
Let’s break it down.
A fuel card works a bit like a debit card, but specifically for buying fuel. Instead of paying at the pump with cash or a personal card, you can use a fuel card at approved stations across the country, and you get one invoice on a weekly or monthly basis.
There are different types of cards depending on the size and requirements of your business or fleet. Some are made for sole traders and self-employed drivers. Others are built for larger companies with a fleet of cars or vans on the road every day.
Fuel cards often come with:
In short, they make fuel payments more manageable, and they give you more control over where the money’s going.
Let’s get to the interesting stuff. Why should you consider getting a fuel card?
Most fuel cards offer discounted rates. That means you’re not caught out by daily price swings or paying more at motorway services. Over time, this can add up to major savings, especially if you’re regularly filling up.
No more chasing up drivers for receipts. No more sorting through piles of paperwork at tax time. You get one invoice covering all your company’s fuel spend, ready to plug into your accounts.
You can see exactly who’s spending what, where, and when. If you’ve got a fleet, this makes it much easier to keep things in check. And if you’re a sole trader, it helps keep business and personal fuel costs separate.
With clear data and regular billing, fuel cards make it easier to plan and manage your fuel budget, no matter if you're running one vehicle or a whole fleet. Spot trends and forecast costs, and make sure you’re not overspending on fuel each month.
Yes, fuel is usually cheaper with a fuel card. Many fuel card providers offer a set price per litre for the week, usually based on wholesale or commercial rates. By using a fuel card, you can avoid sudden pump price increases and have more predictable fuel costs. Some fuel cards even offer direct savings off your pump price. These discounts can be anywhere from 3p to 15p per litre! Over months and years, this can add up to thousands in savings.
Fuel cards can be a very cost-effective tool, but it all depends on what kind of business you run. If you are:
…then a fuel card will likely be a cost-effective move.
They’re designed to save you time on admin, cut fuel costs, and take the hassle out of expense claims. And for bigger businesses, they offer the kind of oversight and control that spreadsheets and manual logging just can’t match.
In other words, they don’t just save you money at the pump; they can also save you a lot of time and effort throughout the month, which can be worth its weight in gold.
So, you’re thinking about getting a fuel card, but how do you actually choose which one to use? To help you narrow it down, keep the following in mind:
Do you or your fleet use supermarket stations like Morrisons or motorway stops like Texaco or Shell? If you or your drivers are on the road, especially in rural or long-haul areas, coverage can make a big difference to how useful and cost-effective the card is.
Some fuel cards offer a fixed weekly rate, often based on wholesale fuel prices, which helps you avoid sudden price hikes. Others work on pump price discounts, giving you money off every litre at participating stations.
Some cards are designed for large fleets, while others are built for sole traders and small businesses. Choose a card that matches your size and structure so you’re not paying for features you don’t need – or missing ones you do.
Look for a fuel card with features like spending limits, transaction alerts, and the ability to block non-business purchases. This is especially handy if you’re managing a team of drivers and trying to keep your fuel budgets under control.
If you'd like expert and impartial advice on the best fuel card for your business, give us a call on 0330 005 0055 or email service@interfuels.co.uk.
If fuel is a regular part of your business expenses, fuel cards are definitely worth it – no matter if you’re a sole trader or manage a growing fleet. They offer discounted pump rates, save time on admin, and provide much better visibility over what’s being spent and where. More importantly, fuel cards take the everyday hassle out of managing fuel payments. That means no more chasing receipts or guessing where the money’s gone.
Our selection of fuel cards is built for today’s fleets. With discounted wholesale pump prices
and access to over 7,600 sites and support for multiple major brands, we make it easy to manage fuel costs without the usual headaches. You’ll also get full control through our online account portal, plus clear reporting to help you spot trends, track spending, and make smarter decisions.
Find the perfect fuel card for your fleet. Get your free quote now!