Keeping fleet costs under control has never been an easy task, and 2026 has brought plenty of challenges. There is pressure on energy prices due to geopolitical instability, increasing maintenance and insurance costs continue to impact budgets, and businesses are still expected to deliver the same high levels of service.
According to Logistics UK, vehicle operating costs rose by more than 12% in the year to April 2026, driven by a 36% increase in diesel prices, higher insurance costs and rising driver employment costs.
At the same time, fleet managers are focusing more than ever on getting the basics right. A recent State of Fleet Management survey found that reducing downtime and improving vehicle reliability were among the industry's biggest priorities this year.
The good news is that controlling costs doesn’t always mean making major changes.
Here are five areas worth reviewing if efficiency and cost control are your goals:
1. Start by understanding where your money is going
Before making changes, take a step back and looking at where your fleet is actually spending money.
Fuel, maintenance, mileage and vehicle utilisation all tell part of the story, but it's much easier to spot opportunities when everything is brought together in one place. Tools such as Fleet Reporter and bp's Online Account Manager can help give fleet managers a clearer picture of spending and vehicle activity, making it easier to identify trends before they become bigger problems. Sometimes the biggest savings come from simply seeing something you had not noticed before.
2. Cut down on unnecessary fuel and charging costs
Fuel and energy are some of the biggest costs any fleet faces, so even small improvements can make a noticeable difference. Simple things like reducing unnecessary detours, planning routes more efficiently and making sure drivers know where they can refuel or recharge can all help. The bp Fuel & Charge card gives drivers access to more than 3,400 fuel sites and around 53,000 charge points across the UK, making it easier to keep journeys efficient without wasting time or fuel looking for somewhere to stop. For fleets running a mix of ICE and EVs, having both under one account also helps keep administration simple and gives managers a clearer view of overall energy spend.
3. Make every day admin simpler
Admin might not seem like a major cost, but it also adds up. Chasing receipts, processing invoices and managing multiple payment methods all take time away from running the fleet. Using digital tools to manage payments can reduce paperwork and make it much easier to stay on top of spending.
bp's online account tools allow fleet managers to monitor transactions, set spending limits, block cards if needed and keep track of activity in real time. Having everything in one place makes day-to-day management simpler and helps keep costs under control.
4. Look at how your vehicles are being used
Not every vehicle is used in the same way, and that can change throughout the year. Taking time to review utilisation can highlight opportunities to make better use of the vehicles you already have. Some may be covering fewer miles than expected, while others are doing far more than planned.
For fleets operating a mix of traditional fuel and electric vehicles, it's also worth checking whether each vehicle is still doing the job it's best suited for. Matching the right vehicle to the right journey can improve efficiency, reduce running costs and make life easier for drivers too.
5. Don’t forget your drivers
Drivers play a big part in fleet efficiency. Things like smoother driving, avoiding unnecessary idling and planning journeys more effectively can all help reduce fuel consumption and vehicle wear and tear. It’s also worth checking in with drivers regularly to understand what is slowing them down. A quick conversation can often uncover simple improvements that help fleets run more efficiently.
So, where should you start?
When budgets are under pressure, it can be tempting to look for one big solution. In reality, the biggest savings often come from lots of smaller improvements that build up over time.
Taking a fresh look at how your fleet is operating, making better use of data and giving drivers the right tools to do their job can all help reduce costs without making day-to-day operations more complicated.
Explore how bp can help you gain greater visibility over your fleet and keep costs under control.
