If your business relies on vehicles—whether it’s for deliveries, field services, or logistics—fuel expenses can quickly eat into your margins. With unpredictable gas prices and varying usage across drivers, controlling fuel costs is one of the most impactful ways to improve operational efficiency.

Fortunately, there are proven strategies that help small business owners manage and reduce fleet fuel spend—without sacrificing reliability or scale. From fleet cards to digital gift cards and loyalty integrations, here’s how to save more per gallon across your team.

Use Fuel Rewards Programs That Work Fleet-Wide

Even if you’re not running a large-scale fleet, loyalty programs from major gas stations still offer meaningful savings. These programs are free to join and can be used across multiple vehicles:

• Shell Fuel Rewards: Offers at least 5¢ off per gallon and allows linking to business accounts.
  
• BPme Rewards: Available via the BPme app, which includes digital receipts and station finders.
  
• Exxon Mobil Rewards+: Earns points per gallon that can be redeemed for fuel or in-store items.
  

You can have multiple drivers use the same business-linked rewards account or distribute individual numbers per vehicle.

Buy Digital Gift Cards for Exact Fuel Amounts

Rather than using credit cards or handing out fuel stipends, digital virtual cards give you more control over spend per trip. Through apps like Fluz, you can earn cashback with a Shell virtual card or get rewards with a BP virtual card for each transaction—saving upfront and on the backend.

Benefits of using gift cards for fleet fuel:

• Purchase for exact amounts (no overspending)
  
• Track usage by driver or vehicle
  
• Get instant cashback when purchased through Fluz
  
• Compatible with loyalty programs and mobile pay
  

This method is ideal for teams with variable fuel needs—like field techs, mobile services, or local delivery crews.

Consider Fuel or Fleet Cards—but Read the Fine Print

Fleet-specific cards like WEX, Fuelman, or Shell Small Business Cards offer centralized reporting and spending controls. These can be helpful for teams of 5+ vehicles or for operations needing detailed expense logs.

However, some fleet cards charge monthly fees, require minimum usage, or limit where drivers can refuel. Compare these carefully against prepaid or cashback-based options to determine your best fit.

Track Fuel Spending with Expense Tools

Apps like Drivvo and Everlance allow you to track fuel usage, calculate fuel economy, and export expense reports by vehicle or driver. These are ideal for tax season and for improving budgeting accuracy month-over-month.

Train Drivers on Fuel Efficiency Basics

Fuel costs aren’t just about price—they’re about behavior. A few small changes can extend your fleet’s MPG:

• Avoid excessive idling
  
• Maintain proper tire pressure
  
• Use route optimization apps like Route4Me or Circuit
  
• Encourage consistent fill-ups at partner stations with loyalty rewards
  

Implementing these practices can stretch every gallon further, especially for teams covering large territories.

Final Thoughts

Small businesses can’t afford to waste fuel—or overlook simple strategies that improve cash flow. Whether you get rewards with a BP virtual card or tap into loyalty programs like Shell Fuel Rewards, there are real savings to be found by combining smarter payment methods, rewards stacking, and efficient tracking.

The more intentional your fuel strategy, the more every mile turns into a competitive edge.