Small businesses understand the importance of managing vehicle-related expenses, including fuel, maintenance, and more. A fleet card program can operate as a specialized payment system to help you navigate that part of your business. Using a fleet card can help you monitor your spending and even get potential savings from discounts and rebates. Explore the best fleet card programs for small businesses.
Table of Contents
1. SC Fuels
SC Fuels is a family-owned commercial fuel services company that has been operating since 1930. It delivers fueling solutions for agriculture, manufacturing, construction and other verticals. Its four main fuel card programs — CFN Fleetwide, Voyager Universal, Pacific Pride Advantage and SC Fuels Secure — can be tailored to meet small businesses’ unique needs.
Key features:
- Utilizes cardless swipe technology for more convenient payments
- Allows you to set spending control and get discounted fuel
- Offers account insights such as fuel expenses
- Provides 24/7 access to thousands of fueling stations
2. RelaDyne
RelaDyne is best known for its lubrication sales and distribution and value-added services. However, it also offers a fleet card under Richard Oil and Fuel in partnership with retail fueling chain Popingo’s. The fleet card helps small businesses keep track of their expenses while boosting savings with each gallon of fuel used.
Key features:
- Streamlines fueling programs
- Fast and individualized customer service
- Card accepted at thousands of fueling stations nationwide
3. Englefield Oil Co.
Englefield Oil Co. was established in 1961 to assist customers with their gasoline and diesel needs. It has experience working with fleets, construction, and fleet fueling. Its in-house fleet card service is ideal for businesses of any size and from any territory. Credit options are available for maximum convenience and control.
Key features:
- Partners with many international and local oil companies
- Offers a 24/7 real-time management dashboard
- Provides fuel rebates based on total gallons purchased
4. Corpay One
Corpay One is a subsidiary of Corpay, which helps businesses streamline their expense management. It has worked with over 800,000 business clients and boasts around $800 million in annual paid-back rebates. The Select Mixed Fleet Card, Select Diesel Fleet Card and the Universal Fuel Mastercard programs all have varying rebate conditions.
Key features:
- Offers customizable reports on fuel usage, driver behavior and cost trends
- Provides visibility on all transactions and receipts
- Ensures fraud prevention with PIN setup and custom card controls for each vehicle
- Easy integration with any enterprise resource planning system
5. Coast
Coast is a modern fuel card and expense management system with solutions specifically created for small businesses. Its user-friendly portal and mobile app allow users to access features such as fleet insights and driver management.
Key features:
- Provides $25,000 in fuel fraud protection annually
- Cuts fleet fuel bills by 10%
- Provides rebates for every gallon recorded
6. WEX
WEX has 40 years of experience supplying companies with a variety of business solutions. Its standard WEX Fleet Card is one of the best fleet card programs for small businesses. It saves up to $1,500 in average fuel savings yearly.
Key features:
- Automates tracking of fuel expenses
- Offers overnight shipping for first card orders
- Card accepted at 95% of U.S. fuel stations
7. Valero Fleet Cards
Valero Fleet Cards understands that fleet fuel cards are safer than cash and smarter than credit cards when it comes to improving small businesses’ budgeting and savings. Through its mobile app, you can access insights and set up spending controls.
Key features:
- Provides customized reports, such as purchase activity and tax exemptions
- Helps you save up to 8¢ per gallon at Valero locations
- Offers 24/7 customer service
Determining the Best Fleet Card Programs for Small Businesses
With many fleet card programs on the market, it is important to narrow down what options work best, particularly for small operations. Here are several considerations to vet the best fleet card programs for small businesses:
| Fleet size compatibility | Small to medium-sized fleets have fewer units and require less fuel each month. It is critical to seek a program that can accommodate your fleet count. |
| Fuel management goals | Fleet card programs are geared toward a variety of goals. Some are focused solely on controlling spending, while others aim to improve operational efficiency. Review the features and see what resonates with your needs. |
| Security | Your fleet will regularly use the cards to pay for fuel, maintenance and other expenses. It is important that the cards are secure and protect sensitive data, such as business details, payment information and more. |
| Fuel rebates | Fleet cards should offer your business a good deal of rebates since they act similarly to a loyalty card. The percentages can change from provider to provider, so be sure to compare the pricing. |
| Payment structure | Consider assessing the various fees associated with your card. Administrative costs are typically the most expensive, but there can be additional ones, such as card issuance, statement and late payment fees. |
Choose a Small Business-Friendly Fleet Card Program
Small businesses should take advantage of resources like fleet cards to improve their spending control and earn cost savings. Consider all your options and be wise in choosing your program to get the most out of this commitment.
