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. 

Pacific Pride offers a mobile cardless pay option through their app, PRIDE PAY.

With PRIDE PAY, drivers can initiate fueling directly from the app at participating Pacific Pride locations without a physical card.

Here’s how it works: 

There are many Pacific Pride fueling locations throughout the United States and Canada. There are over 1,400 locations in total, and that number is still growing. You can find Pacific Pride stations in a variety of places, including truck stops, convenience stores, and travel plazas. Since Pacific Pride locations are independently owned and operated, not all services are available at all locations. It’s always a good idea to call ahead to confirm amenities offered at a station.   

Mobile cardless payment systems, also known as contactless payment, can improve your business’s bottom line and efficiency in several ways:  

Faster Checkout Time: Mobile payments are faster. This reduces checkout times, keeps lines moving, and improves the customer experience.  

Reduced Costs: Less time spent processing payments translates to lower labor costs. Additionally, mobile payments eliminate manual cash handling, reducing errors and costs.  

Increased Sales: Faster checkouts can lead to higher customer satisfaction and impulse purchases.   

Improved Cash Flow: Transactions are settled electronically, which means you receive funds faster than checks or waiting for credit card payments to clear.   

Enhanced Security: Mobile cardless payments use secure authentication, where a unique digital identifier is used instead of your actual card details. This reduces fraud risk compared to physical cards.  

Data & Sales Insights: One of the benefits of mobile payments is that they provide you with data and insights into your sales activity.   

Operational Efficiency: Mobile payment systems can streamline back-office operations by simplifying record-keeping and reconciliation.  

Accessibility: Mobile cardless payments are convenient for businesses and customers.   

PRIDE PAY offers many benefits like convenience, security, and potential fuel discounts. Remember to check with your Pacific Pride account manager for details and ensure your company account is enrolled in the program. 

An additional bonus is the ability to track multiple drivers, companies can gain insights into their routes, driving behavior, and travel times. This allows for better coordination, improved time management, and reduced fuel consumption. Additionally, tracking helps to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement in the overall transportation process, leading to cost savings and reduced paperwork through automated reporting. 

In the end, this advanced tracking system goes beyond simple location monitoring, transforming fleet management into a data-driven operation that optimizes efficiency, cuts costs, and streamlines the entire transportation process. 

1. Reduced Fuel Costs:
   Cardlock accounts often provide businesses with access to discounted fuel prices, which can lead to significant savings over time. Additionally, cardlock accounts can help businesses track fuel usage and identify areas where they can reduce fuel consumption.
   
2.  Improved Fuel Management:
   Cardlock accounts provide businesses with detailed fuel usage data, which can be used to track individual driver behavior, identify unauthorized fuel usage, and optimize fuel routing. This data can also be used to negotiate better fuel rates with suppliers.
3. Reduced Fraud Risk:
   Cardlock accounts offer multiple security features, such as PIN numbers, purchase limits, and real-time transaction monitoring, which can help prevent unauthorized fuel usage and fraud.
4. Convenience and Efficiency:
   Cardlock accounts allow businesses to refuel their vehicles quickly and efficiently, without the need for cash or credit card transactions. This can help reduce downtime and improve productivity.
5. Enhanced Tax Compliance:
   Cardlock accounts provide businesses with detailed fuel usage records, which can be helpful for tax reporting and compliance purposes. 

Why businesses choose cardlock accounts for their operations. 

Fuel Cost Savings

• Discounted fuel prices: Cardlock account holders often receive discounted fuel prices from participating fuel stations. These discounts can be based on factors such as fuel volume, account history, and payment terms.
   
• Fuel usage tracking: Cardlock accounts provide detailed fuel usage data, which can help businesses identify areas where they can reduce fuel consumption. This data can be used to develop fuel-efficient driving practices and optimize fuel routing. 

Improved Fuel Management 

• Individual driver tracking: Cardlock accounts allow businesses to track fuel usage by individual driver, which can help identify drivers who are using excessive amounts of fuel. This data can be used to provide targeted driver training and coaching.
• Unauthorized fuel usage prevention: Cardlock accounts offer multiple security features, such as PIN numbers, purchase limits, and real-time transaction monitoring, which can help prevent unauthorized fuel usage.
• Fuel routing optimization: Cardlock accounts can be used to identify the most cost-effective fuel stations for each vehicle, based on factors such as fuel price, location, and fuel quality. 

Reduced Fraud Risk 

• PIN numbers: Cardlock accounts require drivers to enter a PIN number before fueling, which helps prevent unauthorized access to cards.
• Purchase limits: Cardlock accounts can be set up with purchase limits, which can help prevent drivers from making excessive purchases.
• Real-time transaction monitoring: Cardlock accounts provide real-time transaction monitoring, which allows businesses to identify suspicious activity immediately. 

Convenience and Efficiency 

• 24/7 access: Cardlock stations are typically open 24/7, which allows businesses to refuel their vehicles at any time of day or night.
• Automated payment: Cardlock accounts allow businesses to pay for fuel automatically, which eliminates the need for cash or credit card transactions.
• Reduced downtime: Cardlock accounts can help reduce downtime by allowing businesses to refuel their vehicles quickly and efficiently. 

Enhanced Tax Compliance 

• Detailed fuel usage records: Cardlock accounts provide detailed fuel usage records, which can be helpful for tax reporting and compliance purposes.
• Automated tax reporting: Some cardlock account providers offer automated tax reporting services, which can help businesses save time and money. 

Contact Star Oilco to discuss opening a cardlock account to benefit your business operations and impact your bottom line in savings, security and efficiency. Already have an account? You can shop your fuel bill by allowing us to do a cost comparison to identify cost savings by switching today.