Business owners typically consider these factors when deciding between a fuel card and a credit card for their fleet. 

Control Over Spending 

Fuel cards offer additional control as they restrict purchases to fuel and specific stations. Credit cards allow for multiple purchases, making expense tracking more challenging. This level of detail makes it possible for better budgeting and financial planning. Cardlock programs allow spending limits on individual cards. This provides an extra layer of control over fuel expenses, preventing employees from exceeding the designated budget. 

Fuel discounts 

Fuel cards often come with discounts at participating stations, reducing fuel costs. Credit cards may offer reward points, but these could have less value than fuel discounts. With a fuel card, you get a discount right away, which can be several cents or even more per gallon. That can add up quickly depending on how much you drive. With a credit card, reward points may have a waiting period or expire after a certain amount of time. Additionally, fuel cards are typically easier to use than credit cards, as they are accepted at more gas stations. 

Fuel cards: 

• Offer immediate discounts at participating fuel stations. 
• Discounts can be significant (several cents or more per gallon), leading to substantial savings with high fleet fuel consumption. 
• Wide network of participating stations ensures easy access to discounts. 

Credit cards: 

• Reward points may offer less value than fuel card discounts. Earning points often translates to minimal gas discounts. 
• Points typically come with restrictions like redemption minimums, blackout dates, and limitations on usable items. 
• Using points often requires extra effort compared to automatic fuel card discounts. 

Data and tracking 

Fuel cards provide detailed data on fuel purchases, driver behavior, and fuel efficiency. Credit cards offer less data, making it more difficult to identify trends and optimize fleet operations. With a fuel card, companies can track individual driver behavior, such as what fuel stations they use, how much they purchase, and how often they make stops. They can also compare this data with other fleets to identify trends and areas for improvement. With a credit card, companies must rely on self-reported data, which can be unreliable and make it difficult to make informed decisions about fleet operations. 

Fuel cards: 

• Track fuel purchases (date, time, location, amount, gallons). 
• Reveal driver behavior patterns (frequent stops, refueling times, locations). 
• Enable monitoring of fuel efficiency (by tracking fuel use vs. mileage). 

Credit cards: 

• Limited data (total amount spent, merchant name). 
• Hindering identification of fuel usage trends. 
• Make it difficult to optimize fleet operations (due to lack of driver and efficiency data). 

Security 

Fuel cards typically have PIN verification and spending limits, minimizing fraud risk. Credit cards can be misused for unauthorized purchases. Additionally, fuel cards are more secure than credit cards because they are not linked to a bank account, limiting the amount of money that can be withdrawn. On top of that, fuel cards are easier to track and monitor than credit cards, making it easier to identify any suspicious activity.  

Here are some fuel-saving tips that a fuel delivery company can offer to their construction customers to help them save money on fuel.  

Optimize Routes and Schedules 

Plan deliveries to minimize travel distances and combine multiple stops whenever possible. This will reduce fuel and time costs and emissions from vehicles. Additionally, it will increase efficiency by reducing wait times and allowing for more deliveries to be made.

Reduced Costs & Environmental Impact: 

• Minimize travel distances and combine deliveries to save on fuel and related expenses. 
• This strategy also reduces emissions from our delivery vehicles, contributing to a greener future. 
• Enhance your efficiency. By combining stops, we streamline delivery routes, reducing wait times and allowing for more deliveries in a shorter amount of time. 

Promote Proper Equipment Maintenance 

Every minute counts on a construction site, but even short breaks can lead to unnecessary engine idling. Idling not only wastes fuel and increases costs, but also contributes to air pollution. With Portland’s new fossil-based diesel fuel restrictions within city limits, with the larger effort to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, this is a great time to consider how your business operations can reduce its fuel consumption and overall work to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. To promote a more environmentally friendly work environment and keep fuel costs down, employees should work together to discourage idling. A simple yet powerful solution is to remind workers to completely shut down engines during breaks, no matter how short. This small step can significantly reduce our overall fuel consumption and create a cleaner, healthier site for everyone. 

Idle Reduction: 

• Even short breaks can lead to unnecessary engine idling, wasting fuel and increasing costs. 
• Idling also contributes to air pollution, impacting the environment and worker health. 

Simple Solution, Big Impact: 

• To promote a cleaner, more cost-effective worksite, all employees should work together to discourage idling. 
• Remind workers to completely shut down engines during breaks, no matter how short. 
• This small step can significantly reduce fuel consumption and create a healthier environment for everyone. 

Invest in Fuel-Efficient Equipment 

Consider upgrading to newer equipment models known for better fuel economy. By investing in fuel-efficient equipment, businesses can reduce their fuel costs and reduce their carbon footprint, as newer machines tend to be more fuel-efficient. Plus, newer models tend to have fewer parts and are more reliable, so businesses can expect to spend less on maintenance and repairs. 

Upgrading to fuel-efficient equipment: 

• Reduces fuel costs for construction projects. 
• Lowers a company’s carbon footprint by minimizing emissions. 

Newer equipment: 

• Has fewer parts, simplifying maintenance needs. 
• They also tend to be more reliable, leading to less downtime and repair expenses. 

Train Operators on Fuel-Saving Techniques

Operators should be trained on fuel-efficient driving habits, like avoiding excessive acceleration and maintaining steady speeds. Regular maintenance is crucial for fuel-efficient equipment as it ensures optimal performance and fuel efficiency. Maintenance services include regular engine tune-ups, oil changes, and air filter replacements, all of which contribute to better fuel economy. Additionally, regular maintenance helps to detect and fix any potential issues that may impact fuel efficiency, such as clogged or dirty fuel systems or faulty sensors, ultimately prolonging the life of the equipment and maximizing its fuel savings potential. 

Fuel-Efficient Operation: 

• Avoid rapid acceleration and maintain steady speeds for optimal fuel economy. 

Regular Maintenance for Efficiency: 

• Schedule routine engine tune-ups, oil changes, and air filter replacements. 

Identify & Fix Issues Early:  

• Regularly check for clogged fuel systems, faulty sensors, and other potential issues. 
• Early detection saves fuel and extends the equipment’s lifespan. 

Save Money with a Cardlock Fuel Card

Take control of your fueling operations and put money back in your pocket with a convenient cardlock fuel card program. Cardlock fuel cards are an easy way to track and manage fuel purchases. You save money and time by eliminating manual recordkeeping and billing. Plus, you can monitor fuel usage and get real-time reports.