Trends, or those predictable changes in the economy, business or in expenses, are fairly easy to track over time provided you have a constant and consistent measurement standard. Gas cards provide an easy way to keep information on how much fuel your company, drivers and vehicles are using over any length of time. The longer that you study, record and compare this information the more accurate the picture of your company or fleet’s fuel consumption will be developed. You can then use this information in comparison to overall fuel use trends over a several year period to determine how you can save money and stay in step with current changes.

One of the biggest changes in fuel trends in the last five years has been the switch to more fuel efficient vehicles. Many of the major car manufacturers offer compact to luxury car models, perfect for fleet use, that average over 40 miles per gallon. National as well as international attention to hybrids, cars with alternative fuel sources as well as the very specialized Smart Car has really created a trend, perhaps more of a consumer demand, for highly fuel efficient vehicles. While fuel consumption certainly can be tracked by gas cards, remember you will also want to keep track of mileage between fueling for a more accurate picture. Fuel cards, instead of gas cards, can provide all that type of detailed reporting without the need for manual records and data entry.

Another trend in fuel use over the last five years has been an increase in the demand for diesel engines, specifically clean diesel vehicles. This trend will increase in the next few years as more and more clean diesel cars and trucks become available. Diesel vehicles have always been the workhorses of the fleet, but much more stylish cars offering these clean burning fuel engines are also a trend to watch for. Diesel engines are typically easier to maintain, longer lasting and are more fuel efficient. Cards from brands that offer clean diesel, as well as the grades of gasoline you need, can be an excellent option for tracking how your fuel usage has changed with different makes and models of vehicles in the fleet. You may find that your employees prefer driving either the gas or diesel engines, which is often reflective of the research found in the automotive industry as a whole.

The use of cards within a company itself is also a trend in managing fleets. More and more companies are moving from traditional gas cards to fuel cards that allow the employee to use the card for specific allowable maintenance work on the vehicle. Using these types of cards helps to also track and monitor trends in repairs and maintenance costs, which need to be considered in conjunction with fuel consumption and fuel prices. This overall big picture will clearly show how your transportation costs are changing over time and in what areas you are saving money or going over your anticipated budget.

The use of gas cards is a great way to keep your records all in one place, especially when it comes to tracking fuel purchases. With the different hybrids and alternative fuel options this tracking or monitoring of trends can really add up to a huge saving over time. Having all the data from cards available at your fingertips on monthly reports makes data entry and record keeping much more efficient.

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