With fuel costs fluctuating throughout the year, many businesses and drivers are looking for ways to save money at the pump. While fleet fuel cards, such as the Energie Fuel Card, are becoming a well-known way to reduce fuel expenses, another way to save money is by being more selective about the type of fuel you purchase. Much like choosing generic medication over a brand name, many businesses can see savings at the pump by choosing unbranded fuel instead of branded fuel. But what are the differences, and will your vehicle notice a difference between branded and unbranded fuel?
Branded fuels are sold under well-known oil companies such as Exxon, BP, Chevron, and ARCO, to name a few. These companies invest heavily in developing proprietary fuel blends that are designed to enhance performance, and many include detergent additives that help clean and protect a vehicle’s engine. Because branded fuels are formulated to provide these additional benefits, they typically come at a higher price. Another advantage is consistency. Branded fuel must adhere to strict quality standards, so whether you fill up in California or Arizona, you can generally expect the same fuel quality from the same brand.
Unbranded fuel, on the other hand, is not lower quality simply because it doesn’t carry a major brand name. In fact, it’s often sourced from the same refineries as branded fuel. The primary differences are that unbranded fuel is typically sold by independent or smaller gas stations and usually doesn’t contain the proprietary additives found in branded fuels. Think of it this way, branded and unbranded bottled water may come from the same source, but the branded version may include added minerals, additional filtration, and premium branding. Similarly, unbranded fuel still meets all federal and state fuel quality standards but doesn’t include a major oil company’s backing to develop their own custom blend of additives. Because of this, unbranded fuel is often more cost-effective, allowing gas stations to offer more competitive prices.
If reducing your fleet’s fuel expenses is a top priority, switching to unbranded fuel can be an effective way to lower operating costs. Many fleet managers see even greater savings by combining lower-cost unbranded fuel with a fleet fuel card, such as the Energie Fuel Card, which provides additional discounts, reporting tools, and fuel management features.
Choosing between branded fuel and unbranded fuel will ultimately be a personal choice, but for many fleet drivers the smarter choice is going with unbranded fuel. There is a perception that branded fuel is better for your vehicle but there is no evidence to support this claim because unbranded fuel must adhere to strict regulatory requirements as well. If you have questions about choosing the right fuel or finding the best fuel card for your business, contact the team at Energie Fuel. We’d be happy to help you determine the best fueling solution for your fleet.