A Comprehensive Guide on Fuel Card Companies
The UK market offers a variety of business fuel card services. In this technology driven time an extensive range of company fuel cards are available, so any business owner can choose the best option for their needs.
Finding which fuel card company and supplier is best for you it depends on multiple factors: the size of the business and its fleet, the volume of operational activities (local, regional or national) and the industry sector. Some extra security might be required if, for example, you operate a fleet management company rather than a small retail shop.
Fuel cards for small companies can provide a pool of various services and advantages, which help increase the vehicle driver efficiency and cost control a lot more effectively.
Market Inspector provides a quick guide of major fuel card companies in the UK. All of these fuel cards for business customers share the most common benefits, but the fees and availability of tailored services may vary depending on the card type and it’s initial purpose.
Do you wish to compare types of fuel cards and their prices in the UK? Fill in the request form at the top of the page and get up to 4 free quotes. Market Inspector provides a non-binding service for finding the best fuel card management service.
Supermarket Fuel Cards
Just like any other fleet card the supermarket fuel card provides benefits such as great savings for business customers. Nevertheless, companies that operate not only in the UK, but also abroad, potentially need a wider coverage. It might be a lot more cost effective to pick a fuel card provider which offers access to a wide station network within or outside Europe.
On the other hand, businesses that operate locally or nationally can find it beneficial to bind the company fleet drivers to a couple or even just one supermarket fuel station network.
The key considerations before signing up for the supermarket fuel card are:
- The annual/quarterly cost of the fuel card
- The number of sites available in the network and whether it suits your operational business needs
- Invoice reports and other online management tools of your fuel consumption, available at any given time
- Flexible customer support available via several means of communication.
Review of Supermarket Card Providers
Morrisons
Morrisons does not have its own fuel card, but this supermarket chain provides access to its fuel station network via other card providers. Along with these cards also come the benefits and management tools available within those specific brands.
| Features | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Diesel |  |
| Petrol | |
| Annual Fee | £0 - £18 per card |
| Sign-up Fee | N/A |
| Customer Service | Via telephone and e-mail |
| Cards Available | Allstar fuel card FuelGenie fuel card |
Additional services:
- Vehicle or single driver control
- Expense control
- Online management account
- HMRC approved invoices & invoice reporting
- Canceling or ordering cards online
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s was the only supermarket which had its own fuel card, but from 8th June 2015 it was replaced by Fuel Genie and now offers a slightly wider range of services under the Fuel Genie brand name and the card appearance.
| Features | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Diesel | |
| Petrol | |
| Annual Fee | N/A |
| Sign-up Fee | N/A |
| Customer Service | Via telephone and e-mail |
| Cards Available | FuelGenie fuel card Fuelmate fuel card |
Additional services:
- Interest free credit up to 45 days
- HMRC approved invoice
- Supermarket loyalty points
- Online account management
- Unlimited free cards
- 1200 petrol stations
- Option for online payment
Tesco
Tesco also does not have a card of it’s own brand per se, but just like other supermarkets it buys petrol from wholesalers and is not aligned with any other fuel card company. Since Tesco does not provide a card of its own, the supermarket chain provides deals via other providers that can be used in the Tesco’s petrol filling stations.
For example Esso has made an alliance with Tesco to offer drivers a fuel card which also collects the Tesco Clubcard Points, when they refuel at the participating service stations within the network. Fuel Genie also offers similar benefits related to Tesco.
| Features | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Diesel | |
| Petrol |  |
| Annual Fee | N/A |
| Sign-up Fee | N/A |
| Customer Service | Via telephone and e-mail |
| Cards Available | FuelGenie fuel card UK fuels Esso Commercial (Discount) Card Esso Fleet fuel card Esso Multinetwork Diesel and Petrol Fuel Card Allstar Supermarket fuel card |
Additional services:
- Vehicle or single driver control
- Expense control
- Online management account
- Invoice reporting
- Fixed weekly diesel price
Allstar Supermarket Fuel Card
Allstar has quite an extensive fuel station network and can be considered one of the biggest suppliers on the UK market. Allstar can be used for the companies of any size since it serves both, petrol and diesel. Additionally, the supplier collaborates with other fuel providers and can offer a range of services with high quality fuel management solutions.
| Features | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Diesel | |
| Petrol | |
| Annual Fee | N/A |
| Sign-up Fee | N/A |
| Customer Service | Via telephone and e-mail |
| Cards Available | Allstar Supermarket fuel card |
Additional services:
- Access to 1400 filling stations
- Online management tools
- HMRC-approved invoices
- Up to 4 pence per litre saving on average pump price
- Locked to Morrisons, Tesco, ASDA, or Sainsbury's stations
Fuel Genie
Fuel genie also provides the access to an extensive filling station network, including Tesco and Morrisons. Alongside such benefits as saving on fuel prices and online account management services, Fuel Genie’s supermarket partnership allows customers to collect mentioned supermarket loyalty points with their fuel purchases
| Features | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Diesel | |
| Petrol | |
| Annual Fee | N/A |
| Sign-up Fee | N/A |
| Customer Service | Via telephone and e-mail |
| Cards Available | Fuel Genie fuel card |
Additional services:
- Option to set card limits for better expense control
- 24/7online management account tool
- Approved single invoice for easy VAT reclamation
- Saving on fuel, car wash, and oil
- Available to use at Tesco fuel forecourts
Review of Single Brand Network Fuel Cards
BP
This provider can offer access to one of the largest fuel station networks in Europe. A regular BP card allows customers also to use not only BP, but also Texaco stations. As most of the business fleet cards, the BP fuel cards come with an online account management system, that most fleet companies need in order to run the operation as cost effectively as possible.
| Features | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Diesel | |
| Petrol | |
| Annual Fee |
BP Plus and BP Bunker: no charge BP Supercharge: £12 - £24 per card (depending on fleet size) |
| Sign-up Fee | N/A |
| Customer Service | Via telephone and e-mail |
| Cards Available | BP Plus BP Plus Bunker BP Supercharge |
Additional services:
- Real-time management tools and expense control
- Approved single invoice
- One of the biggest branded networks
- Offers different card types
Shell
Shell is one of the best known global brands in the fuel card industry. Shell is the largest supplier with over 50 years of experience, around 40,000 forecourts and a huge number of partners. Shell provides the opportunity for customers to set up their own set of networks they want to access. Comprehensive services are available with the Shell fuel card on the 24/7 setting.
| Features | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Diesel | |
| Petrol | |
| Annual Fee | 1 per month (per card) |
| Sign-up Fee | euroShell card: £15 |
| Customer Service | Via telephone and e-mail |
| Cards Available | euroShell Fuel Card Shell Card Local Business Shell Card |
Additional services:
- Insight and flexible online tools for advanced expense control
- Approved single invoice for easy VAT reclamation
- 1100 stations in UK
- Multi-network card avaiable with 3500 stations, including Esso, Texaco, Gulf, Gleaners, Topaz, and Total
- Shell card can be used for on road services
Texaco
Texaco has two fuel cards to offer - the Business Card and the Fastfuel Card - but there are some slight differences between the benefits they offer. Texaco Fastfuel Card includes fuel forecourts of Texaco and also Morrisons supermarket chain. No charges are imposed and extra payments such as toll or ferry, are included.
Meanwhile, Texaco the Business, in addition to Texaco own network it can also be used at BP stations, but it adds VAT and 1p per litre surcharge. This fuel card for business also providers the loyalty program for collecting points with Star Rewards.
| Features | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Diesel | |
| Petrol | |
| Annual Fee | £300 minimum spend |
| Sign-up Fee | N/A |
| Customer Service | Via telephone and e-mail |
| Cards Available | Texaco the Business Fuel Card Fastfuel Card |
Additional services:
- Comprehensive online management reports
- VAT approved invoices
- Accepted at over 2000 stations
Esso
The supplier has two fuel card options available to their customers - Europe and National. These simple choices makes it easier for businesses to decide which one serves them better. The main distinction between the cards is rather simple, but includes all the necessary functions for fleet management companies. As extras Esso offers partnerships with other participating companies with loyalty bonuses, such as Tesco Clubcard Points.
| Features | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Diesel | |
| Petrol | |
| Annual Fee | £15 per card |
| Sign-up Fee | N/A |
| Customer Service | Via telephone and e-mail |
| Cards Available | Esso Card Europe Esso Card National |
Additional services:
- Vehicle or single driver control
- Online management account with consumption reports
- Access to major supertmarket sites
- HMRC-approved invoices
- 1050 Esso sites in the UK & extended third party network
Suppliers of the Mixed Fuel Card Brands
Here is a list of the independent providers which offer a mix of petrol cards for companies operating in the UK and some of them internationally. These suppliers provide an unbiased information about different card options and do not promote a specific fuel card provider, which is beneficial for customer to be able to reflect and put the business needs first.
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Fill in the request form at the top of the page and get up to 4 free quotes to compare various business fuel cards. Market Inspector offers a non-binding service to help with finding the best fuel card provider for your business.
