For contractors, fleet management requires more than just tracking vehicles — it’s about controlling fuel costs, optimizing dispatch operations, maintaining vehicle uptime and improving driver accountability. Traditional methods of fuel reimbursement and manual tracking can’t keep up with the demands of modern logistics and scheduling. Fleet cards offer a comprehensive solution to these challenges, giving fleet managers the tools and data they need to streamline operations and improve efficiency across their company.
Fleet managers can use fleet card tools to set purchasing controls, limiting what drivers can buy, where and when.
The Role of Fleet Cards in Contractor Operations
Having centralized fuel management tools is a game changer for contractors juggling multiple job sites, unpredictable routes and a range of vehicle types. Shell’s business fuel cards—Shell Card Business and Shell Card Business FlexTM—are tailored to fit various fleet sizes and needs. These cards provide financial benefits like rebates and discounts and offer advanced features to enhance operations and safety.
Key Benefits Include:
- Up to 6¢ per gallon savings at Shell stations.
- 95% U.S. gas station coverage with Shell Card Business Flex.
- Real-time monitoring via Fleet SmartHub® and ClearView™ analytics.
Enhanced Visibility into Fuel Usage
One of the most critical fleet management tasks is understanding fuel consumption and spotting patterns in driver behavior. Fleet cards integrate seamlessly with fleet management software, enabling companies to:
- Track each transaction by vehicle, location and driver.
- Receive alerts for unusual purchases or unauthorized transactions.
- Generate detailed fuel expense reports without chasing down receipts.
With ClearView Essentials and ClearView Snap, Shell provides data-driven insights that inform decisions about driver habits, route planning and vehicle maintenance.
Customizable Controls Improve Compliance and Cut Fraud
Fleet managers can use fleet card tools to set purchasing controls, limiting what drivers can buy, where and when. These parameters reduce misuse and align spending with company policies:
- Restrict card use by region, merchant type or time of day.
- Require Driver ID and odometer readings at the pump for each transaction.
- Cancel lost or stolen cards in real time via Shell Account Manager or Fleet SmartHub.
This level of control improves compliance, prevents fraud and boosts financial transparency across all field operations.
Streamlined Dispatch and Scheduling Efficiency
Shell fleet cards help businesses simplify dispatch and scheduling by reducing the time drivers spend looking for fuel stations or submitting paperwork. The Shell Card Business Flex offers access to over 45,000 service locations, including participating Jiffy Lube® sites, providing added convenience for maintenance and fueling.
With widespread acceptance and digital access to account management, companies improve fleet coordination and reduce vehicle downtime caused by fuel-related delays.
Real-time Location and Asset Monitoring
For contractors, every mile and minute matters. Integrating fleet cards with GPS tracking and telematics enhances visibility into vehicle location, driving behavior and task completion.
Shell partners with WEX to deliver Fleet SmartHub® — a mobile solution that lets fleet managers:
- Monitor real-time fuel usage.
- View vehicle location and status.
- Detect unauthorized routes or side jobs.
- Review historical data and generate customized reports.
By leveraging location-based insights, businesses increase asset utilization and avoid waste.
Better Maintenance Tracking and Cost Control
Fleet vehicles require consistent upkeep to avoid costly breakdowns. Shell’s integrated services help managers monitor vehicle maintenance and reduce expenses:
- Access discounted maintenance at participating Jiffy Lube® centers.
- Use fuel data and mileage logs to schedule preventative maintenance.
- Identify patterns of excessive idling or aggressive driving that lead to higher wear and tear.
The result is fewer breakdowns, improved vehicle uptime and greater return on investment for company-owned assets.
For companies navigating the complexities of fleet logistics, investing in a Shell fleet card is a low-friction, high-reward move toward better productivity, lower fuel costs and safer roads.
Safety and Driver Accountability
Using Shell fleet cards with ClearView and telematics integrations allows businesses to promote driver safety by identifying risky behaviors like speeding, harsh braking or unauthorized stops. Companies can provide feedback and coaching based on real data:
- Set policies encouraging safe driving habits.
- Use telematics to track behaviors affecting safety and efficiency.
- Build accountability through driver-specific reports.
As a result, businesses can lower insurance premiums, avoid legal liabilities and ensure all drivers align with operational standards.
Simplified Administration and Reporting
Fuel card programs like Shell’s are designed to remove the burden of manual reporting and reconciliation. Contractors using these tools can:
- Eliminate paper receipts.
- Automatically capture transaction data.
- View monthly invoices in a centralized digital portal.
- Real-time access to transaction data.
With fewer administrative errors and less time spent on back-office tasks, staff can focus on higher-value activities.
Savings that Scale with your Business
Shell’s promotional offers and tiered rebate structures make fleet cards attractive to companies of all sizes. For example:
- New Shell Card Business users can often earn 25¢ per gallon rebates for the first six months.
- Ongoing savings of up to 6¢ per gallon depending on fuel volume and station use.
These cost-saving opportunities compound over time and directly improve your bottom line.
Unified Platform for Mixed Fleets
For contractors transitioning to electric vehicles or managing a blend of fuel types, Shell Card Business Flex supports EV charging at home and on the go. Through a single platform, you can:
- Track and manage fuel and EV payments together.
- Analyze usage patterns across traditional and electric vehicles.
- Report mixed fleet performance in unified dashboards.
This future-focused flexibility helps businesses prepare for evolving industry demands while maintaining high operational standards.
Making the Right Choice for Your Fleet
Whether you’re running five trucks or a few hundred, choosing the right fleet card impacts everything from fuel costs to driver accountability. Shell offers tailored options:-focused flexibility helps businesses prepare for evolving industry demands while maintaining high operational standards.
Shell Card Business
- Ideal for small businesses
- No card fees
- Accepted at 12,000+ Shell locations
- Up to 6¢ per gallon savings
- Integrated reporting and mobile tools
Shell Card Business Flex™
- Best for growing or large fleets
- Accepted at 95% of U.S. gas stations
- 45,000+ service locations
- EV charging support
- Real-time fraud protection and fleet visibility tools
Both cards come with 24/7/365 customer service and onboarding support.
Shell Fleet Cards Deliver Value
Fleet cards are more than just payment tools — they’re a core part of effective fleet management. Shell’s solutions provide contractors with powerful tools for fuel monitoring, driver accountability, expense control and vehicle tracking. By centralizing these tasks, businesses can reduce administrative headaches, cut costs and make smarter operational decisions.
For companies navigating the complexities of fleet logistics, investing in a Shell fleet card is a low-friction, high-reward move toward better productivity, lower fuel costs and safer roads.