Australia’s fuel station landscape isn’t what it used to be. Some brands have grown, others have rebranded, and a few have disappeared completely. At the same time, fuel card acceptance has changed, with FleetCard now accepted at over 6,200 fuel stations nationwide – a sign of how the industry is shifting.
With so much change, we wanted to compare where Australia’s fuel market stood five years ago versus today. Which fuel brands have grown? Which have declined? And how have fuel card networks adjusted? Here’s what we found.
Fuel Brands: Who’s Growing, Who’s Shrinking?
In 2019, the biggest fuel brands included Caltex, BP, Shell (Coles Express), 7-Eleven, United, Metro Petroleum, and Puma. Fast-forward to 2024, and some of these names have disappeared, while others have expanded.
Growing Fuel Brands
- Ampol (formerly Caltex) – Back in 2019, Caltex had 1,541 sites. But after rebranding to Ampol in 2022, it has since expanded to 1,834 locations by mid-2024.
- BP – BP had over 1,300 service stations in 2019 and has grown further by acquiring X Convenience, adding 50+ new sites across South Australia and Western Australia.
- Viva Energy (Shell/Reddy Express) – In 2019, Shell had around 1,330 fuel outlets. In 2023, Viva Energy acquired Coles Express, rebranding over 700 stations to Reddy Express. Later, in November 2024, Viva Energy started using Shell Cards at 184 OTR sites and began replacing BP and independent OTR signage with Shell branding, bringing its total network to over 1,500 locations.
Fuel Brands That Have Shrunk or Disappeared
- Puma Energy – Puma once operated 270+ locations, but after being bought by Chevron in 2020, many sites are now rebranding under the Caltex name.
- Independent stations – Some smaller fuel retailers have struggled to compete, leading to closures or acquisitions by bigger brands.
What This Means for Businesses & Fuel Card Owners
If your business relies on fuel cards, these changes could have a big impact on your day-to-day operations. With some stations rebranding or changing ownership, the fuel card you’ve always used might not work where it used to – leading to extra detours, wasted time, and higher costs.
That’s why now is the perfect time to check your eligibility and compare fuel cards and make sure you have one that works at the stations your drivers actually use. A multi-brand fuel card can give your fleet more flexibility and better coverage, so you don’t have to worry about where to refuel.
With fuel brands constantly shifting, having the right fuel card can make life a whole lot easier – saving you time, money, and hassle on the road.
Check Your Fuel Card Eligibility
Fuel Card Acceptance: What Works Where?
Not all fuel cards are created equal, and as stations rebrand and networks shift, acceptance is changing too. Here’s a quick look at where some of the biggest fuel cards work:
- FleetCard – Works at 6,200+ stations (90% of all fuel sites). Accepted at BP, Ampol, Viva Energy (Shell/Reddy Express), 7-Eleven, United, Metro, Woolworths, and Liberty.
- WEX Card – Works at 90% of sites but NOT at BP, Ampol, or Viva Energy sites.
- Shell Card – Reddy Express, OTR, Liberty, and Westside locations.
- BP, Ampol, Metro, United & 7 Eleven – Only work at their own stations.
For businesses managing a fleet of vehicles, choosing a fuel card that works across multiple brands can help avoid limitations and keep refuelling easy.
What’s Next for Australia’s Fuel Industry?
The changes aren’t stopping anytime soon. In the coming years, expect to see:
- More mergers and rebrands as fuel companies consolidate and reposition themselves in the market.
- Petrol stations evolving into convenience hubs, offering more food, coffee, and essentials to keep customers coming back.
- More EV charging stations appearing at major fuel retailers like Ampol and BP, as Australia slowly transitions toward electric vehicles.
Stay Ahead of the Changes With the Right Fuel Card
With brands merging, rebranding, or expanding, the fuel station you visit today may look completely different in a year or two. If you use a fuel card, it’s worth checking where it’s accepted to avoid any surprises at the pump.
Cards with wide acceptance provide flexibility and ensure you’ll always have a place to refuel. As Australia’s fuel market keeps evolving, the best way to stay ahead is to stay informed – and choose a fuel card that moves with the times.
