As we step into 2026, rising operational costs continue to challenge businesses across the UK - and fuel remains one of the largest, most unpredictable expenses for fleet managers and business owners. Whether you run a handful of vans or manage a growing fleet across multiple regions, the pressure to save money while keeping vehicles moving is greater than ever.
At Fuelmate, we work with thousands of SME fleets every year, and we’re often asked the same question: ‘Where can we really make a difference on fuel spend?’ The good news is, there are smart, practical steps that can add up to real savings - and it all starts with visibility, control, and the right tools.
Here are five proven ways to reduce your fleet’s fuel costs in 2026:
If you’re still relying on pay-and-claim fuel receipts or company credit cards, you’re almost certainly missing out. A good fuel card gives you access to fixed weekly pricing, discounts on pump prices, and centralised reporting - all of which help you stay in control of your fuel budget.
At Fuelmate, we offer cards from all the major networks - including BP, Shell, Esso, Keyfuels and UK Fuels - allowing our customers to choose the network that fits their routes. Some fleets opt for one network; others prefer flexibility with a multi-brand solution. Either way, having tailored pricing and proper spend visibility is a powerful first step in cutting unnecessary fuel costs.
Not all fuel cards are created equal. HGVs, vans, and company cars often require different card solutions - and using the wrong one can result in poor coverage or missed savings. For example:
- Shell and BP fuel cards are excellent for fleets operating on motorways or with mixed fuel/EV needs.
- Keyfuels is ideal for HGVs and depot-to-depot routes, with access to bunker sites and discounted diesel.
- Esso and UK Fuels cards provide wide acceptance and supermarket sites, useful for light commercial fleets.
We always recommend reviewing your fleet profile before committing - our team can do a free, no-obligation review to match you with the most efficient card setup.
Driving behaviour can significantly impact fuel efficiency. Harsh acceleration, idling, and unnecessary detours all eat into your bottom line. Many fuel card systems include telematics or reporting that allows you to spot trends and encourage best practice.
Combining a fuel card with vehicle tracking or driver reports makes it easier to see where improvements can be made - not just in cost, but in time, emissions, and customer service.
Time is money - and manually sorting through fuel receipts every month is a time drain. Fuel cards not only provide HMRC-compliant invoices, but they also consolidate all transactions into one statement, making VAT reclaiming simple and efficient.
For finance teams, this means faster reporting, better compliance, and far fewer grey areas. For directors and business owners, it means greater peace of mind that costs are under control and paperwork isn’t slipping through the cracks.
One of the biggest mistakes we see businesses make is treating fuel cards like a static service. The truth is that your usage, routes, and vehicle types will change - and your fuel card setup should evolve too.
We recommend reviewing your card setup at least once a year. That’s why at Fuelmate, every customer has a dedicated account manager - someone who proactively checks in to make sure you’re still getting the best deal and the right fit.
If your fuel strategy hasn’t changed in a while, now is the perfect time to review it. Whether you’re looking to switch fuel card providers, add EV charging to your fleet, or just want a clearer picture of where your fuel spend is going, we’d be happy to help.
Click below to request a free fuel card consultation or get in touch for a quick chat with one of our specialists.
Here’s to a more efficient and cost-effective 2026.
