The two pricing models
Almost every business fuel card is priced one of two ways. Neither is automatically "better" — it depends on how and where your drivers fill up.
1. Pump-minus pricing
You pay whatever's on the forecourt that day, minus an agreed discount. When pump prices fall, you fall with them; when they rise, you rise too. It suits fleets that fill at a wide range of sites and want their price to track the wider market rather than being set in advance.
2. Fixed weekly pricing
You're given one set price for the week, the same at every participating site regardless of what each forecourt is charging. It makes budgeting and reconciliation simple — you know the number before the week starts — and it can work well for fleets running steady routes and volumes.
What actually drives the rate
The headline discount is only part of the picture. The rate you're offered is shaped by:
- Monthly volume — more litres usually means more buying power.
- Where you fill — motorway and premium sites cost more than supermarket and local sites.
- Fuel type and fleet mix — diesel, petrol and EV charging are priced differently.
- Network coverage — a wider acceptance network can carry a slightly different rate to a tighter one.
- Invoicing and admin — consolidated HMRC-ready VAT invoicing has real value to a finance team.
How to sense-check a quote
You don't need to be a fuel trader to pressure-test an offer. A few sensible checks:
- Ask which model it is — pump-minus or fixed weekly — and why that one suits your fleet.
- Check it against where your drivers actually fill up, not a best-case site.
- Look at the whole package: spend controls, fraud alerts, invoicing and support, not just the headline number.
- Make sure there are no surprise card or transaction fees eating the saving.
A realistic word on savings
Be wary of anyone promising a fixed, guaranteed per-litre saving in a brochure. The market moves daily, and the right saving depends on your volume, routes and the network you choose. A good provider will quote against your usage rather than a one-size-fits-all figure — and be straight with you about which model gives you the better deal.
How SimpleFuel approaches it
We set up and support the card through one point of contact, match the pricing model to how your fleet runs, and give you clear, no-obligation options. Tell us your fleet size, monthly litres and where your drivers fill up, and we'll come back with the most suitable setup.