Fuel remains one of the biggest operational costs for any fleet-based business, and in 2025, volatility in fuel prices and sustainability pressures mean businesses must do more to stay efficient.
Whether you run a few vans or manage a larger fleet of HGVs, optimising your fuel usage can lead to significant cost savings and environmental benefits.
In this guide, we’ll cover the most effective ways to increase fuel efficiency, reduce waste, and control spending using smart strategies and the right tools, like business fuel cards.
1. Monitor Fuel Usage Across Your Fleet
The first step to saving money is knowing exactly how your fuel is being used. A fleet fuel card allows you to track every transaction by:
- Driver
- Vehicle
- Location
This level of visibility helps you spot inefficiencies - like drivers refuelling too often or at expensive stations.
Learn how our business fuel cards help you monitor your fleet’s fuel usage.
2. Choose the Right Fuel Card for Your Fleet Type
Not all fuel cards are equal. Selecting the right one based on your routes, vehicle types, and fuel usage can improve efficiency and help you reclaim VAT.
Here are three examples tailored for different needs:
- Edenred Black Card: Ideal for mixed fleets and businesses seeking fuel discounts and loyalty rewards.
- Shell Card: Fixed pricing for predictable weekly budgeting.
- Supermarket Card: Pump price access across major supermarkets.
Use our fuel card comparison tool to find the best fit for your business.
3. Encourage Smarter Driving Habits
Driver behaviour has a major impact on fuel consumption. According to the Energy Saving Trust, businesses can reduce fuel use by up to 15% by promoting simple changes:
- Avoid harsh acceleration and braking.
- Maintain steady speeds.
- Reduce engine idling.
- Use cruise control where safe.
- Keep tyre pressure at optimal levels.
Training your team on fuel-efficient driving pays off in both fuel costs and vehicle maintenance.
Include this in your internal policies or as part of onboarding - especially for new fleet drivers.
4. Route Optimisation and Trip Planning
Taking the most direct or time-efficient route doesn’t always mean the most fuel-efficient one. Investing in route planning software or using fleet telematics can reduce unnecessary mileage, cut down on stop-start driving, and avoid fuel-wasting congestion.
Many businesses are integrating telematics with their fuel card solution for a complete picture of fleet activity.
Want to explore telematics integration? See more here.
5. Reclaim VAT and Simplify Admin
Fuel cards make it much easier to claim back VAT by consolidating all your fuel purchases into a single HMRC-approved invoice.
No more chasing paper receipts. No more manual spreadsheets.
This administrative efficiency doesn’t just save time—it ensures you’re not missing out on reclaimable costs.
Read more: Can You Claim VAT on Electric Cars?
6. Monitor Fuel Price Trends
Keeping an eye on national fuel price trends helps you decide when to refuel, and where. For example, the RAC’s Fuel Watch shows that supermarket fuel can often be 5–10p cheaper per litre than branded stations.
Fuel cards linked to supermarket networks can help capitalise on this.
Combine this with fuel alerts and usage data to make informed choices.
7. Consider Electric or Hybrid Vehicles
Transitioning to EVs or hybrids won’t happen overnight, but it's worth exploring if your business operates in Clean Air Zones or travels locally.
We offer a growing selection of EV charge cards that allow drivers to:
- Access public charging points.
- Track energy usage.
- Combine EV and petrol spend in one invoice.
A hybrid fleet approach may boost both cost savings and emissions compliance.
Final Thoughts
Maximising fleet fuel efficiency doesn’t require major investment—it just takes the right data, driver habits, and tools. Fuel cards offer one of the simplest ways to start reducing spend immediately, while offering long-term visibility and control.
Apply online today or contact our team for a free consultation on how to cut your fleet’s fuel costs.
Further Reading:
- How Do Fuel Prices Work?
- Fixed Price vs Pump Price Fuel Cards
- Electric Car Tax 2025: What You Need to Know
