Will the Electric Fuel Card change Fleet Management by 2025?

As we approach 2025, the fleet management landscape is changing fast. At the forefront of this change is the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and the move to alternative, low-carbon fuels, with new payment solutions to support it.

Electric fuel cards, also known as EV charge cards, are becoming a game changer for fleet managers navigating the move to cleaner, greener transport. But will they change fleet management by 2025? Let’s find out.

Before we get to the electric fuel card, we need to look at the current state of fleet electrification. As of 2024, many businesses are at various stages of moving their fleets from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to EVs. This is driven by:

Increasing regulations

Corporate sustainability targets

Long-term cost savings

Improving EV technology and range

And managing fuel costs is a big factor in moving to EVs.

But it’s not without its challenges. Fleet managers have to contend with higher upfront costs of EVs, range anxiety and charging infrastructure, complexities in managing mixed fleets during the transition period and new operational considerations for EVs. In this context, electric fuel cards are emerging as a solution to many of these challenges.

Electric fuel cards, or EV charge cards, are payment solutions for businesses with electric vehicles. They work like traditional fuel cards but are designed for EV fleets. They usually offer:

Access to thousands of public charging points

Pay for charging sessions without multiple apps or payment methods

Consolidated billing for all charging

Integration with fleet management software for easy tracking and reporting

Some electric fuel cards also allow you to pay for traditional fuels, so they are ideal for businesses with mixed fleets. This flexibility is particularly useful as businesses transition from ICE vehicles to EVs. Using a combined fuel card simplifies the refuelling process for electric vehicle fleets by allowing drivers to refuel at any location in the UK. It also simplifies admin through consolidated invoicing and online management tools.

Now we know what electric fuel cards are, let’s look at how they will change fleet management by 2025.

Businesses can benefit from a range of fuel card services that deliver significant fuel savings and streamlined payment solutions for both traditional and electric vehicles.

1. Simplified Payment and Billing

One of the biggest immediate benefits of electric fuel cards is the simplification of payment and billing. Traditional fleet management involves multiple receipts, expense reports and payment methods. Electric fuel cards like the BP Fuel and Charge card simplify this by providing one payment method for all charging and fuelling needs, consolidated HMRC compliant invoicing, no need for drivers to pay out of pocket and claim expenses, and reduced admin and the risk of errors or fraud.

By 2025 this will save fleet managers time and money and allow them to focus on more strategic aspects of their role. The reduction in paperwork and manual processing not only increases efficiency but also improves financial reporting and budgeting.

2. Better Data and Reporting

Electric fuel cards are not just payment tools; they’re also data collection devices, especially with electric charging. Each charging or fuelling transaction generates valuable data that can be used to optimise fleet operations. By 2025, we can expect advanced analytics that will allow fleet managers to:

Track energy consumption patterns

Optimise routes

Monitor driver behaviour and efficiency

Make data-driven decisions on vehicle acquisition and replacement

This data, when used properly, will deliver cost savings and operational improvements. For example fleet managers can use charging data to find the most cost effective times and locations to charge or to determine the right mix of vehicles for their business needs.

3. Fleet Flexibility

As businesses transition to EVs, many will have mixed fleets for several years. An EV fuel card that provides access to thousands of charging points and mobile apps to find charge points and track expenses will give unprecedented flexibility for both hybrid and electric vehicles. By 2025, this will change fleet management by allowing for seamless management of mixed fleets from one platform, gradual and cost-effective transition to EVs and flexibility to adapt to changing business needs or market conditions.

This will be a game changer for fleet managers, allowing them to optimise their vehicle mix and adapt quickly to new opportunities or challenges. For example, a business could use data from its electric fuel cards to determine which routes or job types are best suited for EVs and gradually increase its electric fleet in those areas while keeping ICE vehicles for other uses.

4. Better Driver Experience

Electric fuel cards will improve the driver experience. By 2025, we can expect the following:

Mobile apps to find the nearest charge points with maps showing charging speeds and costs. This will help users save money by finding cheaper charge points near them.

One payment process to eliminate multiple apps or payment methods

Real-time information on charge point availability and estimated charge times

This will lead to higher driver satisfaction, reduced range anxiety and increased productivity. Drivers will be able to focus on their core tasks rather than finding charge points or managing multiple payment methods.

5. Sustainability Reporting

As businesses focus on sustainability, electric fuel cards could be key to achieving and measuring progress towards environmental targets. By 2025, we might see detailed reporting on CO2 emissions saved by EV use, integration with other sustainability reporting tools and the ability to choose renewable energy sources for charging.

This will help businesses reduce their environmental impact and measure their progress to stakeholders. This will be particularly useful for businesses looking to improve their brand or meet emissions and sustainability regulations.

While the benefits of electric fuel cards are big, there are also challenges and things to consider:

Infrastructure: The effectiveness of electric fuel cards is dependent on the development and reliability of the charging infrastructure. The UK has made good progress but more investment and development is needed. Ultra fast charge points are particularly important to ensure quick and efficient charging for fleet vehicles.

Standardisation and Interoperability: As the electric fuel card market grows, standardisation and interoperability issues may arise. Fleet managers will need to check if their chosen card is accepted at enough charging points.

Data Security and Privacy: Electric fuel cards will collect and transmit a lot of data, so security and privacy will be key. Fleet managers will need to ensure their chosen solution has robust data protection.

Cost: While electric fuel cards will save costs in the long run there may be upfront costs or fees to implement. Fleet managers will need to calculate the total cost of ownership and potential return on investment.

Looking to 2025, it’s clear that electric fuel cards will change fleet management. To future-proof your business, fleet managers should:

Review your current fleet and develop an electrification strategy.

Stay current with electric fuel card offerings and charging infrastructure, as well as the accessibility and convenience of EV charging stations.

Pilot electric fuel card programmes with part of your fleet to get hands-on experience.

Train fleet managers and drivers to ensure a smooth rollout.

Review and update policies and procedures to accommodate EV fleet management.

Talk to electric fuel card providers to understand their roadmaps and how they fit with your business.

Will electric fuel cards change fleet management by 2025? We can’t predict the future, but the potential is great. These cards solve many of the problems fleet managers face when moving to EVs.

But how much will they change the game? That depends on:

Continued development and growth of the charging infrastructure

The fastest electric charging network for businesses, with access to the most rapid and ultra-rapid chargers and a simple invoicing system for users

EV technology advancements, particularly range and charging speed.

Electric fuel card providers delivering on the promise of simplicity and integration

Businesses willing to adopt new technology and ways of working

One thing is for sure the fleet management landscape is changing fast. Electric fuel cards are a tool in the fleet manager’s toolbox to deliver efficiency, cost savings and environmental sustainability.

As we approach 2025, forward-thinking fleet managers will be those who stay up to date with developments, evaluate their options, and position their fleets to take advantage of the electric fuel card and the wider electrification trend.

As we hit 2025, the potential for electric fuel cards to change fleet management is big. These new payment solutions are the bridge between the traditional world of fleet management and the electric future that's coming. By simplifying payments, providing data analytics, offering fleet flexibility and supporting sustainability goals, electric fuel cards solve many of the problems fleet managers face today.

However, how they're used and integrated into the wider fleet management strategy will be key. As with any new technology, success will require planning, learning and adapting to new ways of working.

This is where Fyorin comes in. We help fleet managers to keep a tight grip on the finances thanks to dedicated fuel cards. Our virtual cards can be customised to the needs of your fleet with specific controls and limits, restricted to a specific merchant (including EV charging stations!) and give you a cash rebate each time you spend. It's about having the right tools.

Drive your business to a more efficient, cost-saving, and sustainable tomorrow with the power of electric fuel cards and Fyorin's financial operations solution. The future of fleet management is here.