Fleet software firm Powerfleet says fuel eats 15 to 30% of a fleet’s running budget. Citing data from the ACCC, it also notes that diesel in Sydney and Melbourne leapt more than 40% in early 2026 – from roughly $2. 20 to well over $3. 10 per liter. So what’s in your driver’s wallet really counts. Choosing the best Ampol fuel card means checking where it works, what it costs and how much paperwork it removes. Ampol owns and operates 622 sites itself, and dealers run more. A good card saves cents a litre. A bad one costs hours each month.
Does a smaller network hurt?
Only if your drivers leave the city. Ampol sites are easy to find around Brisbane or Sydney. Long country runs are different. A card that works at just two brands, Ampol and EG Ampol sites, can leave a driver hunting for a bowser. FleetCard’s comparison page lists 6,100 plus sites and 13 brands. That page features a competitor, so be sure to read it closely. However, there’s quite a spread between 1,800 and 6,100 – large enough to cross-check against your planned route on a map before making a decision.
Do fuel tax credits change the maths?
Not by themselves. Fuel tax credits hand some fuel tax back to a business. Light vehicles of 4.5 tonnes or less on public roads get nothing. Heavy trucks on public roads get 20.2 cents a litre from 3 August 2026. The card does not change those rates.
How big is the discount in dollars?
Smaller than the ads feel. Take 10 utes burning 20,000 litres a month. At the standard 2c, that is $400 back. The current promotion – 9c a litre for 12 months – takes it to $1,800, for sign-ups by 15 November 2026, and it skips LPG and AdBlue altogether. Once the promotion’s over, you’ll be back on standard rates though.
How do Ampol and FleetCard compare?
| Feature | AmpolCard | FleetCard |
| Card fee | $2.95 | $2.99 |
| Fuel sites | 1,800 | 6,100+ |
| Fuel brands | 2 | 13 |
| Pay later, no interest | Up to 44 days | Up to 51 days |
| Roadside help | $5.25 per vehicle monthly | Optional |
Source: FleetCard comparison page, updated August 2025. Fees move, so check the live terms.
Does the pay later window matter?
Yes, it is cash in your account. On $20,000 of fuel a month, seven extra days holds about $4,700 for you. Small firms feel that.
Can a fuel card stop waste?
No. It caps spending and shows odd buys. It cannot stop a truck idling, which can burn up to 2 litres an hour, says Powerfleet. Ten trucks idling one hour a day for 22 working days waste 440 litres a month. That needs tracking, not a card. FleetCard’s page lists a Verizon Connect GPS link for that job.
Which businesses should pick Ampol?
City-based ones. A plumber with five vans around Brisbane gets plenty from Ampol and a simple statement. A freight firm crossing remote regions does not. Pick the card around the route first and the discount second.
