Fuel is arguably one of the biggest recurring expenses for businesses that run vehicles. With fluctuating fuel prices across the country, overpaying at the pump or even drawing excessive paper receipts each month creates additional admin that no one wants to be sitting through regularly.
Enter fuel cards. Fuel cards have been a staple for businesses for many years. However, there are some big differences between fuel cards that can impact how cost-effective they are for your company and whether they’re actually worth it at all.
The wrong fuel card can remove many of the benefits it purports to bring. But which ones are the best? Here are five to consider if you’re looking for a fuel card.
Right Fuel Card
Right Fuel Card is trusted by over 25,000 UK businesses, offering savings of up to 9p per litre compared to the standard pump price. The network covers 98% of the UK fuel stations, and it has transparent pricing throughout. There are no hidden ‘transaction’ or ‘network’ charges tacked on after the fact, which is a common complaint about some providers in this space.
What sets Right Fuel Card apart is the range on offer rather than a single fixed product. It gives businesses access to a wide selection of cards across major brands including BP, Shell, Esso, Texaco, UK Fuels and supermarket networks. Plus it has its own Edenred Black cards which combine BP and Shell at a fixed weekly price.
On top of standard fuel cards, it is built for the shift to electric: fuel and EV charging can sit on the same bill, including reimbursement for smart home EV charging, and its EV network is one of the largest public charging networks in the UK.
Everything, whether fuel or EV, comes through one HMRC-approved invoice, simplifying VAT reclaim and cutting out manual expense tracking entirely. The company also carries a 4.8-star rating from over 5,300 Trustpilot reviews, with customers frequently highlighting the account managers by name for going beyond the standard level of service.
Allstar
Allstar runs the UK’s largest fuel card network accepted at over 7,700 sites and covering roughly 90% of UK forecourts, and is trusted by 65,000 UK businesses. Savings are available at Allstar’s Discount Diesel sites, and the card comes with HMRC-compliant invoicing plus a 24/7 online account dashboard for managing spend. For businesses transitioning to electric vehicles, Allstar Chargepass extends the same account into EV charging, positioning Allstar as a fuel and EV option rather than a fuel-only card.
fuelGenie
fuelGenie is a rather different approach to the standard fuel cards. The focus is on supermarket forecourts instead of trying to cover every brand. It is free for spending over £500 per month. The fuelGenie+ tier carries a £5 per month per card fee compared to the standard tier that is free of a monthly charge.
The online dashboard provides 24/7 access to HMRC-approved VAT itemised invoices, and fuelGenie is a trading name of Worldline IT Services UK&I Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Radius
Radius has been providing fuel cards since 1990 and now supports over 470,000 customers worldwide. Its UK Fuels network alone covers more than 4,000 sites, with add-on options for Shell, Esso, BP and Texaco extending coverage further still. Radius has also built out one of the larger EV offerings in this space too, with access to 48,000 UK charging stations. Its Velocity platform lets businesses manage cards, set spending limits, and receive alerts on irregular purchases in real time.
Keyfuels
Keyfuels, run by C H Jones Limited, positions itself as the UK’s largest commercial fuel network. It’s built around weekly pricing, giving businesses predictable fuel costs rather than fluctuating daily pump prices. There are also online tools for monitoring driver activity and fleet spend. Client testimonials on the site come from recognisable names including Euro Car Parts and the RAC, both citing meaningful savings passed on since switching.
Why This Matters
Not all fuel cards are built the same way, even though they can look interchangeable at a glance. The details that actually matter are network coverage (how many stations you can realistically use day to day), fee structure (some providers charge transaction or network fees that can eat into any savings), and how invoicing works (a single HMRC-approved invoice will save you in admin time over multiple receipts). Increasing EV compatibility matters too as a growing number of fleets are running mixed fuel and electric vehicles and need one system that covers both.
Final Words
Every card here solves the same core problem. They replace manual fuel receipts with a simplified, traceable system. But the right fit actually depends on what a business needs, not a generic offering. A wide brand network with flexible options will suit businesses that want choice, while a fee-free supermarket card will work for businesses prioritising low costs above brand coverage, and a long-established provider with a large EV network would be better suited for fleets already planning a transition to electric. Taking the time to compare options against actual usage rather than going on headline claims alone will serve you well here.
FAQs
Do fuel cards save money compared to paying at the pump?
Yes, in most cases there are significant savings to be made as fuel cards typically offer a set discount per litre compared to the standard pump price, although the exact details will be dependent on the provider network and fuel type.
Can small businesses or sole traders get a fuel card?
Yes, most providers, including those listed here, offer fuel cards designed specifically for sole traders and small fleets, not just large corporate fleets.
Are there hidden fees with fuel cards?
This depends on the provider. Some charge transaction, network, or annual fees on top of fuel costs while others are free. It’s worth checking the full fee structure before signing up.
