Choosing a fuel card is an important decision for any UK business that operates vehicles. The right fuel card can help reduce fuel costs, simplify administration and give you greater control over business fuel spending.
But with different pricing models, fuel networks and card options available, how do you know which fuel card is right for your business? How do you choose the best fuel card? The answer depends on your fleet, where your vehicles travel, how much fuel you use and what you want your fuel card to do.
This guide explains what to look for when choosing a business fuel card and answers some of the most common questions businesses ask when comparing their options.
What should you look for when choosing the best fuel card for your business?
The best fuel card for your business isn't necessarily the one offering the biggest advertised discount.
You should consider the complete package, including:
Fuel pricing.
Network coverage.
Vehicle compatibility.
Card and account fees.
Spending controls.
Invoicing and administration.
EV charging requirements.
Customer support.
A fuel card should fit the way your business already operates. If drivers regularly use particular routes or fuel stations, for example, choosing a card with strong coverage in those areas can be more valuable than choosing a card based purely on its headline price.
What is the best fuel card for UK businesses?
There isn't one fuel card that is best for every UK business. The right option depends on your fleet size, vehicle types, fuel requirements and where your drivers operate.
Businesses can choose from a range of fuel cards tailored to different needs. This includes solutions for cars, vans, HGVs and coaches, as well as EV charging solutions for businesses introducing electric vehicles.
Across the range, Right Fuel Card provides access to 98% of UK fuel stations, giving businesses the flexibility to choose a card that works with their drivers' existing routes.
Which fuel card is best for company vehicles?
The best fuel card for company vehicles depends on the type of vehicles you operate and where they travel.
For example, a business operating cars and vans mainly in towns and cities may benefit from a fuel card providing extensive supermarket coverage. Right Fuel Card's Supermarket Fuel Card provides access to more than 3,000 Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons sites.
Businesses operating HGVs may have different requirements. HGV fuel cards can provide access to dedicated truck-friendly sites with features such as wider lanes, high-speed pumps and suitable access for larger vehicles. Right Fuel Card offers HGV solutions designed around these requirements.
For businesses operating a combination of cars, vans and HGVs, a wider-network solution may be more appropriate.
The important thing is to choose a fuel card based on where your vehicles travel and how they are used, rather than simply choosing the cheapest card.
What is the best fuel card for small businesses?
Small businesses often have different priorities from larger fleets. You may have only one or two vehicles, a handful of vans or a growing fleet, so keeping costs and administration under control is particularly important.
For example, businesses can consider:
Edenred Black – A combined BP and Shell fuel card offering fixed weekly pricing across BP, Shell and Circle K sites. It is designed for cars, vans, HGVs, and coaches that run on petrol or diesel.
Supermarket Fuel Card – Designed for businesses whose drivers regularly use supermarket forecourts, with access to more than 3,000 sites across the UK.
RightPay – A prepaid, pay-as-you-go diesel fuel card that can be particularly useful for startups and businesses with limited credit history.
BP Flexi – Provides fixed pricing on petrol and diesel with access to a broad network of sites.
The best fuel card option depends on your individual fuel requirements, so it is worth comparing the available solutions before applying.
Which fuel card is best for HGVs and larger fleets?
HGVs have specific fuelling requirements that aren't always met by standard car and van fuel cards.
Long-distance and haulage businesses should consider:
Access to HGV-friendly sites.
Motorway and A-road coverage.
High-speed pumps.
Suitable site access.
AdBlue availability.
Competitive or fixed fuel pricing.
Simple invoicing.
Nationwide coverage.
We offer a range of HGV fuel cards, including options that provide access to dedicated bunker sites. For example, the BP Bunker Fuel Card provides access to around 1,200 BP fuel stations, including more than 600 HGV sites across UK motorways and A roads.
What fuel card is best for a mixed fleet?
Mixed fleets can include petrol cars, diesel vans, HGVs and electric vehicles, meaning different vehicles may have very different energy requirements. Rather than trying to find one card that does everything, businesses should consider which combination of fuel and EV charging solutions works best for their fleet.
A business could use fuel cards for its petrol and diesel vehicles while using an EV charge card for its electric vehicles.
Fuel and EV charging expenses can then be consolidated into a single bill, helping reduce the administrative work of managing different vehicle types.
How much does a business fuel card cost?
The cost of a fuel card depends on the card and pricing structure you choose.
When comparing options, don't just look at the price per litre. Consider the complete cost, including:
Card fees.
Invoice or account fees.
Fuel pricing.
Additional services.
Payment terms.
Any applicable charges.
The amount your business can save depends on how much fuel you use and which card you choose. Right Fuel Card's fuel cards are designed to provide savings versus the standard pump price, with some solutions offering fixed weekly pricing.
Are fuel cards worth it for businesses?
For many businesses, a fuel card can provide value in several ways. The most obvious benefit is the potential to save on fuel costs. However, fuel cards can also reduce administration and make business fuel spending easier to manage.
Fuel cards can also provide greater visibility over business fuel spending, helping fleet managers understand where money is being spent and identify opportunities to improve efficiency. For businesses with multiple vehicles, these administrative savings can be just as important as the savings at the pump.
What are the benefits of using the Right Fuel Card?
Right Fuel Card is designed to make fuel management simpler for UK businesses.
Save money on fuel | Fuel cards can help businesses save compared with standard pump prices, with different pricing models available depending on the card selected. |
Access a wide fuel network | Across the range, Right Fuel Card provides access to 98% of UK fuel stations, including major fuel brands, supermarket sites and HGV locations. |
Simplify administration | Instead of managing individual fuel receipts and expenses, fuel spend can be consolidated into one easy-to-understand bill. |
No hidden transaction or network fees | Right Fuel Card does not charge transaction or network fees, giving businesses greater transparency over their fuel costs. |
Prepare for electric vehicles | Right Fuel Card also offers EV charging solutions, helping businesses manage traditional fuel and electric charging as their fleets evolve. |
Get a solution tailored to your business | With different cards available for different vehicle types, fuel requirements and driving patterns, Right Fuel Card can help businesses choose a solution that fits their individual needs. |
How do you choose the right fuel card?
Before applying for a fuel card, ask yourself five key questions.
1. How many vehicles do you operate?
The size and composition of your fleet will influence which fuel card is most appropriate. A sole trader with one van may have very different requirements from a logistics business operating dozens of HGVs.
2. What fuel do your vehicles use?
Consider whether you need petrol, diesel, EV charging or a combination of different energy types.
3. Where do your drivers travel?
Look at your most common routes and identify the fuel stations your drivers already use. Right Fuel Card's Fuel Station Finder can help you find suitable fuel stations based on your card and location.
4. How much do you spend on fuel?
Understanding your monthly fuel spend will help you compare pricing and identify the potential value of a fuel card.
5. How much administration do you want to save?
Consider how much time your business currently spends processing fuel receipts, expenses and invoices. A consolidated fuel card invoice can make this process significantly simpler.
How to find the right fuel card for your business
Choosing a fuel card shouldn't be about finding the card with the biggest headline discount. It should be about finding a solution that fits your business.
Consider your vehicles, routes, fuel usage, preferred fuel stations and future plans before making a decision.
Right Fuel Card offers a range of fuel and EV charging solutions, with access to 98% of UK fuel stations and transparent pricing with no transaction or network fees.
If you're unsure which option is right for you, Right Fuel Card can help you find a solution based on your business requirements.
Ready to find the right fuel card for your business?
Compare fuel cards from Right Fuel Card's options and find the solution that's right for your fleet.
