Managing a fleet or running a business means keeping a close eye on costs, and fuel is often one of the biggest. With the 2025 Autumn Budget due on the 26th November, now is the perfect time to review how you plan and track your fuel spend.
A clear fuel budget helps you stay in control of your finances, prepare for potential fuel duty changes, and make informed decisions about your operations. Whether you’re managing a few vans or a nationwide fleet, getting your fleet budget right can lead to big savings and fewer surprises down the road.
If you haven’t yet started to track your spending, or you’re unsure where to begin, this guide will help you build a simple but effective fuel budget that supports both short-term savings and long-term fleet planning.
Start with your fuel data
Every good budget begins with reliable data. The more you understand your current fuel usage, the easier it is to plan ahead and make accurate forecasts.
Start by collecting:
Weekly fuel costs – Track what you spend each week across all vehicles.
Number of trips – Note how often your vehicles are on the road and how routes vary. Using technology like telematics can help this process.
Average fuel price – Use recent averages from local fuel stations or your fuel card reports.
Vehicle MPG (miles per gallon) – Check the efficiency of each vehicle in your fleet.
Monthly mileage estimates – Use past data to forecast future usage.
Once you have this information, calculate your average cost per mile. This figure becomes your baseline, helping you predict spend, compare performance between vehicles, and spot inefficiencies early.
If you use a fuel card from Right Fuel Card, this data is automatically tracked through your online account, making it much easier to analyse your fuel usage and costs.
Factor in the 2025 Autumn Budget
The government’s Autumn Budget can have a real impact on business running costs, especially when it comes to fuel duty and transport policy.
Is fuel going up in the budget?
At the moment, fuel duty has been frozen since 2011, and there’s been a temporary 5p per litre cut in place since 2022 to help businesses and drivers with high fuel prices. However, with inflation easing and government finances under pressure, there’s speculation that the 2025 Autumn Budget could see that temporary cut removed, effectively increasing pump prices overnight.
Even a small increase can make a big difference to businesses that refuel regularly. For example, a 5p per litre rise adds £50 per month per vehicle for a fleet that consumes 1,000 litres.
The Autumn Budget 2025, announced on the 26th November, will also likely address broader infrastructure and sustainability goals, potentially introducing more incentives for electric vehicles (EVs) or alternative fuels.
By building flexibility into your budget now, you’ll be better prepared to adapt quickly if prices change or if new fuel tariffs and regulations are introduced.
Consider using a fuel card
One of the simplest and smartest ways to manage and monitor your fuel spending is by using a fuel card.
Fuel cards are designed to give businesses greater control over how, where, and when drivers refuel. They can also help you save money and time.
Here’s how:
Track spend by driver or vehicle – Get full visibility over who’s refuelling, where, and how often.
Access consistent pricing – Some cards, like the Edenred Black Fuel Card, offer fixed weekly diesel rates at BP and Shell stations, helping you budget with confidence.
Simplify admin – Receive HMRC-compliant invoices for easier VAT reclaim.
Set controls – Limit transactions to certain fuel types or values.
Analyse usage – Access detailed online reports that support smarter budgeting decisions.
At Right Fuel Card, we offer a wide range of cards for every type of business, from BP and Shell to supermarket and multi-network options. You can also explore our EV charge card solutions on our Fuel Cards & EV Charging page if you’re already making the shift to electric.
Plan for price fluctuations
Even with a fixed-rate fuel card, prices can still vary across the wider market due to changes in oil prices, supply, and taxes.
To stay prepared:
Build a contingency – Add a small buffer (5–10%) in your fuel budget for unexpected increases.
Review quarterly – Regular reviews help you adapt quickly if market prices shift.
Monitor news updates – Keep an eye on major fuel networks and the government’s fuel duty decisions.
It’s also worth reviewing your refuelling habits. Could some drivers use different routes or cheaper fuel stations? Are there opportunities to use more efficient vehicles or schedule deliveries more strategically to reduce mileage?
You can learn more about ways to save money beyond the pump in our article: 7 Unexpected Ways Fuel Cards Can Save You Money.
Include EV charging in your planning
While budgeting for fuel is essential, it’s equally important to think about the future of your fleet. As we approach the 2030 petrol and diesel ban, businesses will need to factor in electric vehicle (EV) adoption and charging infrastructure.
You might not be transitioning right away, but early preparation can prevent financial shocks later.
Consider:
Installation costs – Installing EV chargers at workplaces can range from £1,000 to £2,000 per unit.
Energy tariffs – Review electric vehicle tariffs and smart charging options to save money on off-peak rates.
Charging times – Plan around how long it takes to charge an electric vehicle based on charger type.
Incentives – Take advantage of government schemes such as the OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme.
For more on what to expect in the coming years, read our related guide: The Future of EV Charging: What UK Businesses Need to Know in 2026.
The benefits of budgeting
Creating and maintaining a fuel budget is not just about saving money; it’s about improving your overall operational efficiency.
A clear and consistent fuel budget helps your business:
Control costs – Avoid unplanned spikes in expenditure.
Improve forecasting – Confidently plan for growth, new routes, or additional vehicles.
Enhance accountability – Understand where every pound goes.
Support sustainability goals – Identify inefficient vehicles and routes that increase emissions.
Reduce admin – Combine budgeting with digital tools like fuel cards and expense reports for easier tracking.
For a practical example, take a look at our article: What Fleet Managers Can Learn from Airline Efficiency Strategies. It explores how industries with high fuel demands maintain cost control through careful data monitoring and process efficiency.
Linking budgeting to business strategy
A good fuel budget doesn’t exist in isolation; it ties directly into your wider business strategy.
For instance, if your company plans to expand operations or open new branches, your fuel spend will naturally rise. Having a clear budget in place allows you to predict how much that growth will cost, ensuring it’s financially viable.
Budgeting can also strengthen your position when negotiating with suppliers, leasing partners, or clients. If you can show accurate fuel usage data, you can forecast delivery costs more precisely and build trust through transparency.
Final thoughts
The 2025 Autumn Budget may bring changes to fuel duty, EV incentives, or wider business taxation, but with a solid plan in place, you’ll be ready for whatever comes next.
By combining accurate data, flexible planning, and smart tools like fuel cards, your business can stay one step ahead, managing fuel efficiently, protecting profits, and keeping your fleet on the move.
Whether you’re preparing for the next budget announcement or reviewing your current spend, start by building a fuel budget that works for your business and let Right Fuel Card help you stay in control.
