Fuel prices are unpredictable, but one thing is certain: as a tradesperson, you rely on your vehicle every single day. When you count travel between jobs and journeys to pick up supplies from merchants, the miles can soon clock up. Fluctuating fuel prices can hit your cash flow hard. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We share our tips for reducing the cost of travel.

Could rising fuel prices impact my business?  

The simple answer is, unfortunately, yes. The harsh reality is, when fuel costs rise, the wider economy can take a hit. Consumers will have less money to spend on non-essential building and refurbishment work, and rising transportation costs could hit the supply chain, pushing up the cost of parts and peripherals. For many small businesses, including sole traders, there is a tough call to make between absorbing additional costs or passing them on to your customers. 

Improve your cash flow and spend less time on admin

We provide regular invoicing for the fuel used, allowing you to keep tabs on spending, and budget for fuel costs. While this approach can’t actively reduce your mileage, it can help you to manage cash flow more effectively – weekly invoicing means you can invoice customers and receive payment for your work before paying for your fuel. One invoice also means less admin. No searching for lost fuel receipts, and a far faster, easier submission to the lovely people at HMRC. Hurrah to that.

Change your driving habits

It’s also worth considering other habits:

• Our Fuel AI tool can analyse fuel usage, mileage, and other driver data to identify efficiencies that could save as much as 9% on fuel costs.
• Opting for a premium fuel such as Shell’s FuelSave Diesel or Esso-Synergy can actively improve the health of your engine.
• Avoid rapid acceleration and harsh braking to improve fuel efficiency, and turn off the engine when idling.
• On a hot day, if travelling over 50mph, opening the window is more fuel efficient than running the air con.
• Keeping a van full of unused tools and parts can also reduce your fuel efficiency – but careful planning is needed for this one.

Considering an electric vehicle?

With all the talk about electric vehicles, you might be wondering if now’s the time to switch. But for most tradespeople, diesel is still the most practical and cost-effective choice. Pairing diesel vehicles with the right fuel card could make savings go even further. Shell FuelSave or Esso Synergy can help improve fuel efficiency by keeping your engine healthy. If you’re keen to go for an EV, there’s lots of government support available – including grants, capital allowances, and reduced company car tax, and we are pleased to offer an EV charge card with unrivalled coverage.