Whether your trucking business has just a few vehicles or hundreds, fuel cards help you save time and money on reporting and expense management. However, not all cards are the same, and finding the right one for your fleet comes down to the features you need.
For example, if your company wants to take a data-focused approach to fleet optimization, you’ll want to look at cards that offer robust analytics and security features.
Network Coverage
What is the best fleet fuel card? The best fleet fuel cards can help control your fleet’s spending and increase accountability. They allow for granular product category-level controls and integrate with your accounting software to streamline reporting, IFTA, and tax compliance. Fuel card providers often offer discounts and rewards programs for specific vendors, reducing fuel costs.
Choosing a fuel card with the right network coverage is crucial for your company’s operations. Regardless of your fleet size, it would help if you found a provider that accepts the stations and gas brands you use most.
The best fuel card options are those that have a wide network of fueling locations and provide significant savings on fuel and vehicle maintenance.
Expense Tracking
For carrier operations of any size, fleet fuel cards can offer significant daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly savings. These cards also help to reduce paperwork and administrative tasks by replacing the need to keep receipts and fill out expense reports. They can even improve driver accountability and control expenses.
Many fleet fuel card providers offer rebates of one to six cents per gallon for each purchase, which can dramatically reduce overall costs. Other features of a great fleet fuel card can include transaction limits, odometer reporting, and location-based fueling options. These features can help businesses find the best deals on fuel for their vehicles, maximize efficiency, and monitor driver behavior to prevent misuse or fraud.
Whether you have just a small fleet of trucks or a full-scale national operation, the right fuel card can make all the difference in keeping your fleet running smoothly and efficiently.
Mobile App
Fleet fuel cards offer business owners and managers a powerful tool for streamlining operations to achieve cost savings. They provide a wealth of information regarding the purchasing habits of drivers, including real-time point-of-sale data, refueling locations and prices, and purchase controls to eliminate unauthorized spending. Combined with a telematics solution, they help fleet managers gain an accurate picture of the overall performance of their vehicles and their operators.
Compared to traditional credit cards, fleet fuel cards allow business owners and managers more control over their purchases. This includes tracking and managing spending, establishing limits by card, and automatically generating accounting and expense reports.
Depending on the size of your fleet, you may also want to look for a fuel card that offers sufficient security features to prevent fraud and theft. While many fuel cards require driver IDs and odometer readings, some use geolocation and engine control unit (ECU) data to detect suspicious behavior and stop the card from being used fraudulently. They can also help reduce paperwork and admin tasks by eliminating the need for receipts.
Payment Options
A fleet fuel card provides a great return on investment with discounts that save you money at the pump. However, finding a card that also offers powerful tools and features for managing fleet expenses is important. Some cards offer controls set by driver or vehicle level, real-time reporting, and other features that help businesses keep their fleet running smoothly.
Look for a card that doesn’t charge hidden fees and makes it easy to understand your monthly bill. Choose a card that reports to the business credit bureau, which can increase your business’s overall creditworthiness and open doors with lenders, suppliers, and landlords.
From small businesses with a few trucks, like plumbing, electrical, or roofing companies, to large national operations, a fleet fuel card can make your job easier while saving you money on vehicle expenses. With the right card, it’s easier than ever to track costs and manage expenses so you can focus on what matters most. The best fleet fuel card options combine flexibility, control, and savings for every business.
Customer Service
The right fleet card company can make the difference between a stress-free experience for your drivers and endless paperwork, expense tracking, and reimbursements that add up. Top-tier cards offer features beyond what you see on the surface, such as EMV chips, card activation, and other security measures.
For example, some cards require driver ID and PIN or odometer readings at the pump to ensure all gallons are legitimate. Many also have GPS tracking that identifies suspicious activity. Some even use data analytics that alert managers to unusual spending patterns or fuel consumption so they can take action before it becomes a problem.
Look for a provider that offers simple and transparent terms to maximize your business’s cash flow. Hidden fees can easily add up, so choose a fuel card with low credit risk fees, late fees, and electronic or check processing fees. In addition, look for a company that offers negotiated fuel prices and discounts with local truck stops and service stations. It’s a feature that saves you money and time while keeping your drivers safe.
