Introduction

Quoted a great rate but your fuel costs keep rising? You’re not alone.

Many fleet managers come to us confused about why their invoices are higher than expected. The cause is almost always the same: hidden fees.

Some suppliers quote an attractive price, then add uplifts, surcharges, and charges for things you thought were included. It’s rarely obvious. But once you spot it, the extra cost is impossible to ignore.

What Hidden Fees Look Like

Based on the hundreds of invoices we’ve reviewed, here are the most common culprits:

• Network access fees: usually 3 pence per litre added across most sites
• Partner site surcharges: often 3 to 5 pence extra, even at branded forecourts
• Non-fuel uplifts: 10 to 20 percent added to items like AdBlue, M6 Toll, screen wash
• Reporting platform charges: £4 per card, per month, just to view usage
• Card “underuse” penalties: e.g. £30 per quarter if a card isn’t used enough
• Liability or fraud insurance fees: not always visible in the contract.

These charges rarely show up in the sales conversation. But they stack up fast.

Case Study: From Quote to Costly

A regional courier switched to Fleetnetix after reviewing six months of invoices from a well-known supplier.

Despite being quoted a 10 pence per litre saving, their real price worked out higher than pump due to:

• A 3ppl network charge applied to 80 percent of fill-ups
• Partner site surcharges of 5ppl
• Extra fees for AdBlue and reporting access.

After switching to a Shell fuel card through Fleetnetix, they saved over £4,000 in the first year.

Why This Happens

Many fuel card providers rely on complexity. Contracts are vague. Invoices are cluttered. Pricing isn’t transparent.

This makes it hard for busy fleet managers to compare or challenge costs—so the fees continue, unchecked.

It’s not that you’re not paying attention. It’s that the system is designed to make it difficult.

What Makes Fleetnetix Different

Fleetnetix sells the Shell fuel card with simple, contracted pricing and no surprises. We believe you should always know:

• What rate you’re paying
• Where it applies
• Why your total is what it is.

With us, you get:

• No network uplifts or partner surcharges
• One standard price per product
• Full access to Shell Fleet Hub for real-time transaction data
• One clear invoice that matches your usage.

What to Do Next

If your fuel invoice feels complicated or your savings aren’t adding up, send us a recent invoice.

We’ll review it line by line, explain where the costs are coming from, and show you how a Shell fuel card through Fleetnetix compares.

Request your free fuel invoice review today.