Fuel cards have been around for a while, mainly to manage fuel costs. But the latest insights from Shell Fleet Solutions’ “2025 State of Fleet Cards Report” show that they’ve grown into full-on operational tools. Fleet managers are tapping them for data, fraud protection, administrative help—even sustainability planning.
Riding the Numbers: Why Fuel Cards Matter
Nearly all fleet managers (95%) say fuel cards bring operational insights that go beyond discounts at the pump. Today, these cards serve multiple purposes:
- Expense tracking & budgeting: 49% say fuel cards help monitor fuel spend, and 47% use them to better forecast spending.
- Spending controls: 43% set per-card limits; 40% rely on cards to cut down on unauthorized fuel use.
- Fraud protection: 40% report improved security. The Shell Card uses Level III data, encryption, and driver/vehicle verification to tackle fraud—a major worry for 20% of those not yet using fuel cards.
- Admin relief: 37% say cards lighten their paperwork load. Surprisingly, 25% still use spreadsheets, or another 25% rely on paper-based tracking instead of digital tools.
- Deeper insights: 32% value comprehensive fuel data; 28% cite difficulty consolidating fuel data manually.
- Tax support: 29% say fuel cards help with tax-related processes.
Fuel Cards Meet Electric Trucks
Fuel cards are evolving to keep pace with electrification. Shell’s Business Flex card now supports public EV charging and at-home residential rates. And with Shell’s Accelerate to Zero program, larger fleets get help meeting decarbonization goals without sacrificing operational efficiency.
Fleet Size Impacts Adoption and Priorities
Large fleets have around a 70% adoption rate. They tend to prioritize wide station access, operational visibility, and security. But many large operators still struggle with cost control (40%) and data consolidation (38%).
Small fleets adopt fuel cards at roughly 60%. These users are chasing fuel savings and compliance support, and they commonly face gaps in driver reporting and missing consumption data.
More Than a Payment Tool
Fuel cards have moved beyond just saving money on gas—they’re now central to managing costs, improving transparency, and fueling smarter fleet operations. With rising fuel prices and an industry pivoting toward electric vehicles, fuel cards are proving essential for staying flexible and ahead of the curve.
Source: Trucker’s Report
