Bunker Fuel Vs. Fuel cards
Written by: Simon Pavey, Last updated:14th February 2022
Keeping company vehicles fuelled and on the road throughout the year is a crucial part of running an efficient business fleet and there are many different options available to a fleet manager. The two most popular and effective methods are either fuel cards or fuel bunkering. However, every company is different, so which option is best for your business? We’ve compared the benefits of both options to help you make the decision that will benefit your business the most.
Bunker Fuel
When we use the term bunker fuel, we are referring to bulk fuel that has been purchased by a company to be used by their fleet. Generally, the company in question will store and dispense fuel themselves and have access to refills from varying commercial sites, depending on the supplier.
Each type of bunker fuel that can be provided is completely different from each fuel supplier. Diesel is the most popular as it’s used by most fleets for larger vehicles, however, other specialist fuels can also be made available such as GasOil Plus for diesel tractors and many other varying types
The benefits of bunker fuel
First of all, there is only a one-off initial setup cost for your fuelling system, however, this would be a costly outlay. Bunker fuel prices can also be very reasonable as bunker fuel is purchased at fixed commercial rates, avoiding any surprises due to fluctuating fuel prices.
Fuel Cards
Fuel cards are a quick a convenient way for businesses to pay for fuel bought at roadside filling stations. A fuel card is uses similarly to a credit/debit card and they enable your drivers to refuel their vehicles whilst on the road, allow you to monitor the spending details and pay for fuel in one payment.
The benefits of a fuel card
Fuel cards offer a tremendous range of benefits. They allow you to monitor the amount you are spending on fuel with handy monthly reports, helping you to better manage your fuel consumption.
Fuel cards offer you more control over purchases. You can decide, manage and adapt your fuel cards to be used for specific fuels or other purchases, depending on the needs of your business.
Fuel cards also offer a massive saving in administration time. Fuel Card Services for example will send you a single HMRC compliant invoice, reducing the time spent on collecting receipts, sorting through invoices and collating your business mileage.
Bunker fuel vs. fuel card prices
The fluctuating cost of petrol, diesel and other fuels is a common occurrence which can have an impact on your business fuel expenditure. A range of factors can affect the price you pay for your fuel, such as the price of crude oil, gas shortages or alternative fuel sources and new types of vehicles (such as electric vehicles) becoming available on the market.
Choosing the right fuelling option based on the number of vehicles your business operates, the geography your business covers and your monthly fuel expenditure could lead to saving your business time and, most importantly, money. Therefore, your fuelling decisions should be based on the benefits that align with your company needs the most.
If you’re interested in finding out more about how fuel cards can save your business money and the specific benefits they offer for businesses and employees a lot, contact us and one of our friendly fuel card experts today.
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