Once you’ve grasped the fundamentals of fuel efficiency, the next step for optimizing your light-duty commercial fleet involves a closer look at your fuel choices and strategically leveraging fuel cards. These decisions can significantly impact your bottom line and operational efficiency.

A Deeper Dive into Fuel Choices

For most light-duty commercial trucks, gasoline and diesel have long been the standard.

Conventional Fuels:

• Gasoline: Widely available and suitable for many light-duty applications. Different octane ratings are available, but for most fleet vehicles, using the manufacturer-recommended octane is sufficient. Higher octane than required typically doesn’t provide a benefit and costs more. Some gasoline formulations include additives designed to keep fuel injectors clean, which can contribute to maintaining fuel efficiency over time.
• Diesel: Often provides better fuel economy and more torque than gasoline, making it a good choice for trucks that frequently carry heavier loads or tow. Modern diesel engines are much cleaner than in the past, thanks to advancements like Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems. Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) is the standard. Quality diesel fuel and proper maintenance of emissions systems are crucial for efficiency and longevity.

Exploring Common Alternative Fuels: As fuel costs and environmental concerns rise, several alternative fuels are becoming more viable for light-duty fleets.

• Ethanol (E85): E85 is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, designed for use in “Flex Fuel” vehicles (FFVs). It’s a renewable fuel, and FFVs are common in light-duty truck lineups. However, E85 typically has lower energy content than gasoline, meaning MPG is often reduced, sometimes significantly (the Alternative Fuels Data Center, or AFDC, notes E85 delivers about 73% of the energy found in gasoline). The cost-effectiveness of E85 depends heavily on its price relative to gasoline.
• Biodiesel: A renewable fuel made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking grease. It can be used in its pure form (B100) but is more commonly blended with petroleum diesel in ratios like B5 (5% biodiesel) or B20 (20% biodiesel). Many diesel engine manufacturers approve blends up to B20. Biodiesel can improve lubricity and reduce certain emissions. According to the AFDC, using B100 can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 74% compared to petroleum diesel on a lifecycle basis. However, considerations include cold-weather performance (it can gel at low temperatures) and material compatibility.
• Compressed Natural Gas (CNG): Burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel and is often more affordable on a gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) basis. Vehicle conversions or dedicated CNG models are required, and fueling infrastructure is less widespread than for conventional fuels, though it’s growing.
• Electric Vehicles (EVs): Offer zero tailpipe emissions and can have significantly lower “fuel” (electricity) and maintenance costs. The initial purchase price of electric light-duty trucks can be higher, and range and charging infrastructure are key considerations. Government incentives can help offset purchase costs.

The best fuel choice depends on your specific vehicle types, routes, available infrastructure, and budget. For many fleets, sticking with conventional fuels while optimizing their use is the most practical approach, but keeping an eye on alternatives is wise for future planning.

Mastering Fuel Cards: Beyond Basic Control

Fuel cards offer much more than just spending limits. Choosing the right one and utilizing its features can unlock significant savings and insights.

Types of Fuel Cards:

• Branded Cards: Issued by major oil companies (e.g., Shell, BP, ExxonMobil, Chevron). They typically offer discounts or rebates when fueling at their specific brand of stations. Best if your routes keep you near a particular brand.
• Universal Cards: Accepted at a vast network of stations from various brands (e.g., WEX, Comdata). These offer greater flexibility if your vehicles travel widely and need to fuel wherever is convenient. They may also offer discounts at participating networks.

Key Features and Benefits to Look For:

• Network Coverage: Ensure the card is accepted at stations convenient for your drivers. WEX, for instance, states its cards are accepted at 95% of U.S. fuel stations. Comdata also boasts a large network, particularly for trucking, including TA Petro, Pilot Flying J, and Love’s.
• Discount Structures: Understand how discounts are applied. Some offer cents-per-gallon rebates (often tiered based on volume), while others provide discounts off the cash price. For example, Shell Fleet Solutions offers tiered rebates up to 6 cents per gallon with their Shell Card Business, and BP Business Solutions Fuel Plus Card offers up to 7 cents with volume-based rebates. ExxonMobil BusinessPro cards also have tiered rebates.
• Reporting and Analytics: This is where fuel cards truly shine. Look for cards that provide detailed, customizable reports on fuel consumption, cost per mile, purchases by driver or vehicle, and exceptions (e.g., fueling at odd hours or outside normal areas). This data is crucial for identifying inefficiencies.
• Security and Control: Features like PIN requirements, odometer prompting, and the ability to restrict purchases by product type (fuel only vs. snacks), time of day, or location can prevent misuse and fraud.
• Integration Capabilities: Some fuel cards integrate with telematics systems, providing a more holistic view of fuel usage in context with driving behavior and vehicle location.
• Fees: Be aware of any monthly card fees, transaction fees, or out-of-network fees.

Examples of Major Fuel Card Providers:

• WEX: Offers widely accepted cards (FlexCard, Fleet Card) with detailed reporting, mobile apps for finding fuel, and potential rebates. Accepted at most major and many independent stations.
• Comdata: Strong in the trucking industry but also serves mixed fleets. Offers discounts at major truck stops and provides robust reporting and control features.
• Shell Fleet Solutions: Provides cards like the Shell Card Business and Shell Card Business Flex, offering rebates at Shell stations and Jiffy Lube discounts. Some cards offer universal acceptance.
• BP Business Solutions: Offers the BP Business Solutions Fuel Plus Card (for BP/Amoco network) and the BP Business Solutions Mastercard® (wider acceptance, with out-of-network fees for non-BP/Amoco fuel). Both offer volume-based rebates.
• ExxonMobil: Their BusinessPro™ and FleetPro™ cards offer rebates or customized pricing at Exxon and Mobil stations, with options for broader network acceptance.

When choosing, compare the networks, discount structures, reporting capabilities, and fees against your fleet’s specific needs and operational patterns.

Introduction to Basic Telematics for Fuel Monitoring

Telematics systems, often using GPS tracking and onboard diagnostics, can provide a wealth of data to help manage fuel consumption, even for smaller fleets. Basic telematics can:

• Track Vehicle Location and Routes: Identify inefficient routing or unauthorized trips.
• Monitor Idling Time: Highlight instances of excessive idling, a major fuel waster.
• Report on Speeding and Harsh Driving: Identify driver behaviors that negatively impact fuel economy.
• Automate Mileage Tracking: Provides accurate data for fuel economy calculations and maintenance scheduling.

Many fuel card providers offer some level of telematics integration, or you can opt for standalone systems. The insights gained can help you address issues proactively, from driver coaching to route optimization, further enhancing your fuel-saving efforts. Companies like Teltonika Telematics highlight that GPS tracking can lead to around a 10% reduction in fuel costs.

By thoughtfully selecting your fuel types and strategically implementing fuel cards with an eye towards leveraging their data, you can move beyond basic fuel management into more sophisticated and impactful optimization.