Shell Fuel Cards Review: Are They Right for Your Fleet?

shell logo

Shell is one of the leading names in fuel, boasting extensive global coverage with stations in over 70 countries, including 3,800 stations in the UK alone. But how does Shell stack up in our fuel card research? In truth, quite well. It offers some of the best fuel cards for UK businesses.

To write this review, we researched 13 different fuel cards and compared them in the key areas for business owners, including card fees, fuel savings, and station coverage. These are the most important factors considering the rising fuel costs and inflation. Compared to the other brands, Shell’s fuel cards offer reasonable fuel savings, low (or zero) fees, and an extensive network of stations. To learn more about how Shell can help your business save money, you’ll need to keep reading.

Short on time? No problem. You can get free quotes from leading fuel card suppliers quickly and easily by using our free comparison tool. Simply tell us about your business, then we’ll match you with suitable companies who’ll contact you directly with no-obligation quotes.

Swipe right to see more
0 out of 0
Savings

Up to 10p/litre

Coverage
  • 40,000 Shell sites
  • 10,000 partner sites
  • 18,000 charging sites
Best for

Wide station coverage

Sign-Up Fees
Annual Fees
Transaction Fees

Swipe right to see more
0 out of 0

Shell CRT Fuel Card

Shell Multifleet Fuel Card

Shell One Fuel Card

Shell Electric Vehicle Recharge Card

Shell International Card

Savings

Up to 5p per litre

Savings

Up to 5p per litre on national average prices

Savings

Up to 10p per litre on diesel at Shell motorway sites

Savings

2p per kWh at Shell Recharge points

Savings

Up to 10p per litre on every motorway litre

Coverage

1,000+ stations

Coverage

3,500+ national stations

Coverage

3,800+ fuel stations

Coverage

10,000+ public EV charging points

Coverage

27,000 sites across 37 European countries

Best for

Large discounts

Best for

Mixed vehicle fleets

Best for

Diesel savings

Best for

Electric vehicles

Best for

International fleets

Features
  • Weekly fixed prices across the network
  • HMRC-compliant invoices
Features
  • Combined network from Esso, Texaco, Gulf and Gleaner
  • Weekly fixed prices
  • VAT claims with online invoices
  • Dedicated app
Features
  • Use to pay for the M6 toll
  • Detailed fuel analysis 24/7
  • Interest free credit
  • No regional price differences
Features
  • Shell Recharge App to pay remotely
  • 10% off food and hot drinks at charging stations
  • 94 ultra-rapid charge points in the UK
Features
  • Large network for HGVs
  • Pay for tolls, tunnels, ROLA, ferries and bridges
  • Secure online invoicing
  • Instant reports

With Shell fuel cards, there are no monthly, annual or card fees to worry about, which makes them ideal for business owners looking to save money. However, you also need to consider Shell’s fuel savings – you can save up to 5p per litre on national average prices, up to 10p per litre on every motorway litre, and up to 2p per kWh when using the Electric Vehicle card.

Shell is great value for money, particularly in this current climate of high inflation and rising fuel costs. Shell also offers better fuel savings than fuelGenie and Esso (both 3p per litre), and lower transaction fees than Esso, Allstar, UK Fuels, and Texaco fuel cards.

Still, the easiest way to get a clear price is by comparing tailored quotes from fuel card companies. Simply use our free quote-finding tool, answer a few questions, then get no-obligation quotes from suitable suppliers. It couldn’t be easier.


Find the best fuel card supplier for your business

Answer a handful of questions to receive free tailored quotes

What type of fuel do you use?

Pros

  • One of the world's largest fuel station networks, ideal for international fleets
  • Generous rewards system for drivers
  • Decent fuel savings per litre
  • HMRC-approved invoices
  • Dedicated app, ideal for paperless work

Cons

  • Texaco has wider coverage of UK stations

Pro: One of the world’s largest fuel station networks, ideal for international fleets

You can use Shell’s international fuel card in 70 different countries, making it ideal for international fleets to grow abroad.

Pro: Generous rewards system for drivers

Your drivers can enjoy 10% off Costa Express and Shell hot drinks, money off fuel every 10 visits when you spend at least £2 in the shop or £10 on fuel, and surprise freebies chosen exclusively for your drivers, among other benefits. This can help boost morale and encourage more drivers to your business.

Pro: Decent fuel savings per litre

Save up to 5p per litre on national average prices, and up to 10p per motorway litre to help your business save money, which is particularly helpful considering inflation and soaring fuel costs.

Pro: HMRC-approved invoices

You can streamline your accounting efforts with Shell’s online, HMRC-ready invoices. This can help increase efficiency and remove the need for added paperwork.

Pro: Dedicated app, ideal for paperless work

With Shell’s app, you can view your fleet’s transaction information 24/7 via the online dashboard, helping you save time and cut down on paper.

Con: Texaco has wider coverage of UK stations

Shell has up to 3,800 stations in the UK, but Texaco offers over 8,400 UK stations, making Texaco slightly more convenient for larger fleets based in the UK.

Did You Know?

In 2021, the UK consumed 254.17 thousand barrels of fuel per day.


Where can I use Shell fuel cards?

You can use Shell’s single-network cards, which are ideal for small fleets in specific towns, at 1,100 stations across the UK, with coverage across motorways, main transit routes, as well as towns and cities.

You can use Shell’s multi-network cards at over 3,800 stations nationwide, including the Shell network and its partner locations with Esso, Texaco, Morrisons, Gulf, Gleaners and Circle K, which is far more partners than what’s offered by BP, Esso and The Fuel Store. This card is best for large, UK-based fleets that need access to fuel across the entire country.

International fleets can use Shell’s national and international cards to fill up at one of Shell’s participating stations across 70 countries.


What kind of business is Shell fuel cards best for?

Small fleets

Shell offers decent fuel savings up to 5p per litre and imposes zero monthly fees, making it an ideal fuel card supplier for small fleets looking to scale and cut costs. Shell also offers strong reward systems for drivers, which can help you attract new drivers to help grow your small fleet.

Medium to large fleets in the UK

Shell’s multi-fleet fuel card is ideal for medium, large, and mixed vehicle fleets, offering a wide network of partner stations including Esso, Texaco, and Gulf to help your fleet fill up across the entire country more easily. Shell also offers online VAT claims and invoices, which should make it easier for your medium-to-large fleet manage cash flow and expenses.

International fleets

Shell is the best fuel card provider for international fleets, offering one of the largest fuel station networks in the world. It also provides 450 HGV-friendly stations across the globe, making it ideal for multi-national businesses.


How does Shell’s fuel cards compare to its competitors?

See how Shell stacks up against some of the best fuel card suppliers in the UK.

Swipe right to see more
0 out of 0

WEX FlexCard

Edenred Essentials

ExxonMobil FleetPro

Comdata Card

Card Fees

None

Card Fees

None

Card Fees
  • $3 per card, per month
  • $50 fee for late payment
  • Other fees apply
Card Fees
  • $2 per card, per month
  • $40 one-time setup fee
Card Fees
  • $8 per month
  • One-time $50 set-up fee
Rebates
This is a reward per gallon of fuel purchased (in the form of cashback or credit)
  • 2¢ (if 0 to 500 gallons purchased in a month)
  • 3¢ (501 to 5,000 gallons)
  • 5¢ (5,001 to 10,000 gallons)
  • 6¢ (over 10,001 gallons)
Rebates
This is a reward per gallon of fuel purchased (in the form of cashback or credit)

Rebates of 3¢ per gallon for the first 6 months

Rebates
This is a reward per gallon of fuel purchased (in the form of cashback or credit)
  • 1¢ /gallon (up to 3,999 gallons/month)
  • 2¢ /gallon (10,000-14,999 gallons/month)
  • 3¢ /gallon (20,000-24,999 gallons/month)
  • (Up to 4¢ per gallon)
Rebates
This is a reward per gallon of fuel purchased (in the form of cashback or credit)

Fixed tariff for consistent gas prices

Rebates
This is a reward per gallon of fuel purchased (in the form of cashback or credit)

Average rebate on gas between $0.08 and $0.25 per gallon

Network Coverage

13,000

Network Coverage

Accepted at 95% of US gas stations which is approximately 185,000 stations

Network Coverage

Accepted anywhere that accepts Visa

Network Coverage
  • 12,000+ Exxon and Mobil locations
  • 800+ commercial fueling stations
Network Coverage

15,000+

Perks

15% off at Jiffy Lube

Perks

None

Perks

Costco Membership

Perks

Exxon Mobil Rewards+ Points

Perks

Discounts on tires and hotels

Fees and savings

With Shell fuel cards, you can save up to 5p per litre on national average prices, up to 10p per litre on every motorway litre, and up to 2p per kWh when using the Electric Vehicle card, which is more generous than fuelGenie and Esso, both offering savings up to just 3p per litre. Meanwhile, Shell offers lower transaction fees than Esso, Allstar, UK Fuels, and Texaco, which can help your business save even more cash.

Station coverage

Shell has one of the biggest global network of fuel stations, making it ideal for international fleets. However, in the UK specifically, it has 3,800 stations which is fewer than Texaco and The Fuel Store, with over 8,000 UK stations to choose from.


Our Methodology: How Did We Review Shell Fuel Cards?

We researched 17 fuel cards for fleets, to evaluate them in terms of how affordable they are and if they have features that can help control and manage fuel spending, all so we could provide the most useful recommendations to UK fleets.

Our rigorous testing process means these cards have been scored and rated in five main categories of investigation and 13 subcategories – this means 43 areas of investigation in total. We then gave each category score a ‘relevance weighting' to ensure the product's final score perfectly reflects the needs and requirements of Expert Market readers – and that's our algorithm.

Our main testing categories for fleet fuel cards are:

  • Security: refers to the measures in place by the card provider to ensure the safety and protection of your information.
  • Customer Support: includes the assistance the card provider offers, such as phone support, email or chat support, documentation, knowledge bases, and online forums.
  • Expense Management: refers to the features of the fleet fuel card, such as transaction tracking, expense reporting, receipt storage, integration with accounting systems, and customizable expense categories.
  • Convenience: refers to the ease of use and accessibility of the fleet fuel card, including factors such as the acceptance network of gas stations, availability, price comparison tool, contactless payment at pumps, and more.
  • Card Specific Information: refers to the details associated with the fleet fuel card itself, such as card fees, accepted fuel type, card type, fee structure, network coverage, plus the cards' potential to pay for items and services other than gas.
Verdict

Shell fuel cards are ideal for international fleets, boasting one of the biggest networks of fuel stations across the globe. It also offers electric vehicle-specific card to help environmentally-conscious businesses hit their green goals. With zero monthly or set up fees and decent fuel savings, Shell’s fuel cards are particularly attractive during this time of high inflation and rising fuel costs.

Shell doesn’t have the biggest UK fuel station network of all the fuel cards we tested, falling behind Texaco and The Fuel Store, but if you want to save money for your business, or grow your international fleet, then Shell’s fuel cards can help you get started.

Despite Shell’s benefits, it’s wise to compare your options before settling on one fuel card supplier. To get the best price for your specific fleet, use our free comparison tool and tell us about your business – we’ll then match you with suitable fuel card companies who’ll contact you directly with free, no-obligation quotes. Our service is quick, easy, and totally free.


FAQs

How can I apply for Shell fuel card?
The easiest way to apply for a Shell fuel card is by using our free quote-finding tool. Simply tell us about your fleet, compare quotes from suitable fuel card suppliers (from a list of vetted suppliers that may include Shell), then start saving money on fuel. It couldn’t be easier.
Does Shell offer a prepaid fuel card?
Yes, Shell offers five different fuel cards that are prepaid. Your business prepays the Shell fuel cards, then your employees use fuel cards at Shell’s locations. Each fuel card is linked directly to your employee’s account and has a unique card ID number. Every time a cardholder buys fuel, the transaction data is logged and the purchase amount is added to your invoice.
Does Shell offer fuel cards for self-employed?
Yes, if you’re VAT-registered then you can use Shell’s fuel cards. We recommend the Shell CRT fuel card, offering savings up to 5p per litre and a network of more than 1,000 stations in the UK.
Where can you use a Shell fuel card?
You can use your Shell fuel card at one of the 3,800 stations in the UK. Shell also has one of the largest networks of station across the globe, available in over 70 countries.
How do Shell fuel cards work?
Shell fuel cards give your business credit for travel and fuel costs, enabling your drivers to fill up at one of Shell’s participating station then use the Shell fuel card to pay. With each transaction, your business gets an HMRC-ready invoice and pays the bill.
Is it worth getting a Shell fuel card?
Yes. Shell fuel cards offer fuel savings up to 5p per litre on national average prices, and up to 10p per motorway litre. This means your business can save on fuel costs and help protect itself from inflation and rising fuel prices. Also, Shell imposes zero monthly fees, unlike BP and Allstar fuel cards, which can help your business save even more money.

Save by comparing fuel card quotes from leading suppliers
Do you already use fleet fuel cards?
Just answer a few questions – it only takes a minute
Written by:
Julia Watts author headshot photo
Specialising in business software, Julia writes jargon-busting guides about VoIP, fleet management, dash cams, fuel cards, and more. Having spent almost a decade writing for entrepreneurs and reviewing business solutions, she loves helping exciting ventures – big or small – to flourish.
Reviewed by:
Maïté Bouhali
Maite began her career with Expert Market nearly four years ago as a writer. She quickly developed a passion for the challenges faced by small businesses and now endeavours to help them make informed decisions for their future. In her current position as Business Software Editor, Maite works closely with writers to ensure that each article is informative, well-researched, engaging, and actionable for readers. With extensive knowledge of CRM, vehicle tracking devices, and fuel cards, she is meticulous in her review of each article and provides detailed feedback before publication. Whether you're seeking to stay informed on the latest trends in business software or need guidance in selecting the most appropriate software for your organisation's needs, Maite is here to help. With her sharp eye for detail and commitment to quality, she is dedicated to supporting businesses in achieving their goals.