As someone who spends their days analysing the ins and outs of fleet management and business vehicle expenses, I’ve seen my fair share of industry shake-ups. But the current fuel shortage gripping Australia is something else entirely. Over the past few weeks, we’ve watched as hundreds of service stations across the country have run dry, leaving tradies, transport companies, and everyday Aussies scrambling for petrol and, more critically, diesel.
With Australia relying on imports for 80-90% of its refined fuel, and global supply chains under immense pressure, the reality is that fuel security is no longer a given. And lately, the number one question landing on my desk is: “How does this fuel shortage affect my business fuel card, and what should I do about it?”
It’s a vital question. When fuel is plentiful, any good fuel card will save you time and money. But when the pumps run dry, the type of fuel card you have can mean the difference between a highly productive workday and a completely stranded fleet.
I’m going to break down exactly which fuel cards are most affected by the current supply crunch, why multi-brand fuel cards are proving to be an absolute lifeline, and how you can safeguard your business operations during this unpredictable time.
The Reality of the Australian Fuel Crisis
Before we dive into the cards themselves, let’s take a quick look at what we’re actually dealing with. Australia’s domestic refining capacity covers barely 20% of our national demand. We rely heavily on refined products shipped from Asia and the Middle East. With recent geopolitical tensions and disrupted shipping routes, those vital supply lines have been severely squeezed.
The impact? At the time of writing, more than 500 service stations across New South Wales, Victoria, and other states have reported outages of at least one fuel type. Diesel – the absolute lifeblood of our freight, agriculture, construction, and mining sectors – is under the greatest stress.
Think about your own operations for a moment. If your drivers pull up to their usual servo and find the diesel pumps bagged off, what’s their next move? If they’re locked into a single-brand fuel card, they might have to drive kilometres out of their way to find another station of the exact same brand, burning precious time, wages, and fuel in the process.
Single-Brand Fuel Cards: The Most Affected in a Crisis
Don’t get me wrong – single-brand fuel cards are fantastic products under normal circumstances. They often provide the deepest discounts, the best loyalty rewards, and zero transaction fees. But in a fuel shortage, they are undeniably the most affected.
When you hold a card that restricts you to one specific network, your fuel security is directly tied to that single company’s supply chain. If that specific brand experiences a supply hiccup or delivery delay in your region, your drivers are simply out of luck.
Let’s look at a couple of prominent examples:
The AmpolCard offers access to Australia’s largest single fuel network with around 1,800 locations, brilliant Everyday Rewards integration, and strong discounts of up to 4c/l on premium fuels. However, because it is restricted solely to Ampol locations, drivers holding only this card are vulnerable if local Ampol stations run out of diesel. If the Ampol down the road is dry, your driver cannot simply pop across the street to a BP or a Shell to fill up using their company card. They are stuck hunting for another Ampol.
Similarly, BP Plus card is a great option. With 1,400 sites, exceptional app integration, and low credit card processing fees, it’s a firm favourite for many fleets. But again, if a regional supply issue hits BP stations, your fleet’s mobility is instantly compromised. You are entirely dependent on BP’s individual stock levels arriving on time.
The Winning Strategy: Multi-Brand Fuel Cards
In my opinion, the ultimate safeguard against the current fuel shortages is flexibility. When supply is patchy and unpredictable, you need the ability to refuel wherever fuel happens to be available. This is where multi-brand fuel cards step into the spotlight.
By allowing your drivers to access thousands of stations across multiple different brands, you drastically reduce the risk of being stranded. If the local BP is out of diesel, a multi-brand card lets your driver simply cross the road to the Shell, the Ampol, or the 7-Eleven and fill up there without skipping a beat.
I consistently suggest multi-brand fuel cards as a winning strategy for businesses looking to mitigate risk. Let’s explore the absolute best options available right now.
WEX Motorpass: The Ultimate Safety Net
If you want maximum coverage and ultimate peace of mind, the WEX Motorpass is incredibly hard to beat. It is widely regarded as Australia’s most accepted fuel card, usable at over 6,000 locations nationwide.
With WEX Motorpass, your drivers can fill up at BP, Shell, Coles Express, Ampol, Caltex, 7-Eleven, Mobil, and a massive host of independent operators. This means that if one brand is suffering from a shortage, your drivers have nearly endless alternatives. It boasts over 90% coverage of all service stations in Australia. In a fuel crisis, this level of flexibility is priceless.
$0 card fees
FleetCard: Comprehensive Coverage
Very similar to the WEX Motorpass in terms of sheer scale, the FleetCard provides access to over 6,100 fuel stations. It is accepted at Shell, Reddy Express, BP, 7-Eleven, Ampol, Mobil, and more.
What makes FleetCard particularly attractive right now is its promotional offer. New customers can enjoy savings of up to 6c/l at Shell and Reddy Express for the first 6 months, while still retaining the ability to fill up at other brands (saving 1c/l to 3c/l) if their preferred station is out of fuel. It’s the perfect blend of deep discounts and broad security.
Accepted at 6,000+ sites.
Shell Card: The Smart Hybrid Approach
You might be reading this and thinking, “Wait, isn’t the Shell Card a single-brand card?”
While the Shell Card is branded, it actually offers a surprisingly robust multi-brand network. We have a lot of clients using the Shell Card, and we highly recommend it as a strategic choice.
The Shell Card is accepted at over 1,500 locations across Australia. But crucially, this isn’t just limited to Shell-branded stations. You can also use the Shell Card at Reddy Express, Liberty, Westside, and OTR locations. This gives your drivers a fantastic safety buffer. If a Shell station is out of fuel, they can easily divert to a Liberty or Reddy Express without needing a different card or paying out of pocket.
Add in their stellar promotional offer – a massive 7c/l off for the first 6 months with zero card fees– and the Shell Card stands out as an incredibly smart choice that balances top-tier savings with essential network flexibility.
Save 7c/l + $0 card fees in promo period
Comparing Your Options During the Fuel Crisis
To make things easy, I’ve put together a quick comparison table highlighting how these cards stack up when it comes to network flexibility–the most crucial factor during a fuel shortage.
| Fuel Card | Network Size | Accepted Brands | Flexibility Rating in a Crisis |
| WEX Motorpass | 6,000+ | BP, Shell, Ampol, 7-Eleven, Mobil, Independents | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Excellent) |
| FleetCard | 6,100+ | Shell, BP, Ampol, 7-Eleven, Mobil, Reddy Express | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Excellent) |
| Shell Card | 1,500+ | Shell, Reddy Express, Liberty, Westside, OTR | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Good) |
| 7-Eleven Fuel Pass | 600+ (for discounts) | 7-Eleven (Discounts) + WEX Motorpass Network | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Good) |
| AmpolCard | ~1,800 | Ampol only | ⭐⭐⭐ (Good, but vulnerable) |
| BP Plus | ~1,400 | BP only | ⭐⭐⭐ (Good, but vulnerable) |
Expert Tips for Managing Your Fleet Right Now
As we navigate these choppy waters, having the right fuel card is step one. But as experts in the field, we recommend a few additional strategies to keep your business running smoothly:
- Equip Drivers with Fuel Apps: Before a driver deviates from their route to find fuel, have them check crowd-sourced apps like PetrolSpy. These apps not only show prices but often have community updates on which stations have run out of specific fuels like diesel.
- Consider a Dual-Card Strategy: If you absolutely love the deep discounts of a single-brand card like AmpolCard or BP Plus, consider keeping them as your primary cards, but equip your fleet managers or drivers with a multi-brand card like WEX Motorpass as a backup. Yes, you might pay a small monthly fee for the backup card, but the cost of a stranded truck is far higher.
- Monitor Your Reporting: Use your fuel card’s online portal to keep a close eye on where your drivers are refuelling. If you notice they are suddenly using out-of-network or more expensive stations, it might be an indicator of local supply issues that you need to plan around.
- Communicate with Your Team: Make sure your drivers know exactly which brands their fuel cards are accepted at. A driver with a Shell Card needs to know they can pull into a Liberty or Reddy Express if the Shell pumps are closed.
The Bottom Line
We’ve seen a lot of challenges in the transport and fleet sectors over the years, but this fuel shortage is a stark reminder of how fragile our supply chains can be. While the government and suppliers are working hard to secure shipments and manage reserves, the reality on the ground is that service stations are running out of fuel, and businesses are bearing the brunt of the disruption.
Single-brand cards, while excellent for loyalty and specific discounts, are undoubtedly the most affected by these localised shortages. If your business relies heavily on diesel, putting all your eggs in one supplier’s basket is a risk you might not want to take right now.
Flexibility is your best defence. Multi-brand cards like WEX Motorpass and FleetCard provide the ultimate peace of mind, ensuring your drivers can refuel almost anywhere. Meanwhile, options like the Shell Card offer a brilliant middle ground–fantastic promotional discounts coupled with a surprisingly broad network of partner brands.
If you’re worried about how the fuel crisis might impact your business, now is the time to review your fuel card strategy. Don’t wait until your trucks are running on fumes and the local servo is bagged off.
Head over to our Eligibility Check or browse our full range of cards to find the perfect, crisis-proof solution for your fleet today. We’re here to help you navigate the shortage and keep your business moving forward.
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