Australian fuel prices have hit their highest in a decade. The 20-cent average hike across the country stems from high global prices and a weak Australian dollar. Not much can be done about this according to analysts at the ACCC who say that unless the big oil companies are split, making them more competitive – which, they note, comes with its own array of problems.

Easy solution for a complex problem

So how can the fleet and transport sector avoid paying too much for fuel? One option is to arrange for bulk fuel to be delivered as part of an on-site refuelling service. The other option most popular with large fleet and transport businesses is Australian fuel cards.

Fuel cards (also known as fleet cards) are essentially credit cards that allow business owners to report and control fuel and maintenance expenses. The proof is in the pudding too, with 74% of business owners surveyed by CANSTAR reporting that fuel cards had saved them money in the long run.

They’re not just for big businesses either, those who operate with as little as two vehicles can benefit from using Australian fuel cards. Simply contact your preferred fuel supplier to create an account and start saving while driving.

Fuel card benefits

Fuel cards also offer the peace of mind to safeguard against theft. Each card can be assigned a user-specific Personal Identification Number, which has the added benefit of ensuring that only authorised users will be able to purchase fuel with it. A lost business credit card can be used to purchase up to $100 of fuel at a time with no questions asked, but a PIN-backed fuel card cannot.

Detailed reporting systems also lets auditors know who purchased fuel and when, which is essential come tax time, or for seeing the viability of certain routes and delivery destinations. These reports show the price paid per litre, which discounts were applied, and how much was bought by each user in the system, which is data that can be used for profit and loss reporting later.

Fuel cards can be set up so that they allow for only fuel purchases, or also let drivers purchase non-fuel items such as café items, car washes or extra supplies for the long trip ahead.

Using a fuel card is also of benefit to the driver, as they face no out-of-pocket costs while on the road. Additionally, they have the ease of mind that goes with knowing their fuel expense reports are already automatically entered into the system, leaving them to concentrate on the task of driving safely to the job site and back.

Some fuel cards work in conjunction with discount networks, which are comprised of preferred retailers who offer cheaper fuel rates in return for repeat custom. There are also the benefits of round-the-clock roadside assistance, which can prove essential around Australia’s long and lonely highways.

Bulk Fuel Australis fuel card program has been helping keep Australian businesses running smoothly for many years now. Contact Bulk Fuel Australia today to find out more about how we can configure a fuel card program to suit your needs.