FUTURE OF FLEET > FUEL CARDS
SMARTER FLEET MANAGEMENT FOR 2026
Jamie Bridgen I managing director I The Fuel Store
Today’s fleet operators have a lot on their plates – at the same time as dealing with mounting cost pressures and economic uncertainty, businesses are navigating technological change, shifting regulations and under decarbonisation pressures. To rise to the challenge, a fundamental shift is needed: from treating fuel as a fixed expense on a budget sheet to managing it as a strategic asset that drives efficiency.
The shifting landscape
Volatile fuel prices and tightening emissions standards are pushing fleets to explore the transition to cleaner energy. Over the next year, fleets will continue to rely heavily on diesel; however, the pace of change will accelerate once regulations and economics push the sector toward cleaner alternatives. During this transition period, operators will need to re-evaluate the fleet total cost of ownership (TCO). In addition to age-old factors such as vehicle purchase and maintenance costs, they will increasingly focus on charging infrastructure, refuelling times, cost per mile and route optimisation. Businesses that effectively manage these metrics will be better positioned to control costs and maintain competitiveness as the market transitions.
Data-driven fuel efficiency
Technology is becoming central to fleet management. Telematics, predictive analytics and AI are already influencing how fleets consume fuel. Real-time monitoring using telematics tools enables managers to track vehicle performance, driver behaviour, idling time and route efficiency, allowing them to fine-tune operations dynamically. This move towards ‘smart’ fleet management will continue as AI continues to be embedded into business operations. In 2026, we’ll see management dashboards evolve to combine telematics, fuel card data and EV charging information, creating a unified platform that gives fleet managers a more comprehensive view of fleet performance. This data will increasingly inform business decisions, enabling fleets to reduce overall fuel consumption, lower emissions and manage operating costs.
Sustainability and compliance
Sustainability will continue to evolve from a ‘nice-to-have’ to a core operational requirement. From the growth of Low Emission Zones and the ZEV mandate to broader net zero targets under the Climate Change and Environment Acts, fleets are increasingly required to demonstrate compliance or incur additional costs. Accurate tracking and reporting of fuel data will be increasingly crucial for ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) reporting. Strong sustainability metrics offer a competitive advantage to many businesses, helping them win contracts, access funding and enhance their brand reputation – especially as larger businesses come under pressure to report their energy use and downstream emissions under the SECR.
The road ahead
During 2026, diesel will remain dominant, but the definition of ‘fuel efficiency’ will continue to evolve. The most successful operators will treat fuel management as a strategic discipline, harnessing data, training drivers and investing in new solutions that enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness. The fleets that thrive will be those that treat every litre of fuel and piece of telematics insight as a valuable data point in smarter, cleaner and more cost-effective fleet management practice.
At The Fuel Store, we believe the future of fleet management lies in smarter decisions, cleaner operations and strategic fuel use. 2026 is the year to make that future a reality.
“During this transition period, operators will need to re-evaluate the fleet TCO”
Honest fuel prices. Clear fleet insights. Data that drives decisions.
Honest fuel prices. Clear fleet insights. Data that drives decisions.
