A logistics company outside Columbus had a tight window. A Thursday delivery run was planned to cover four counties. Every hour would matter. But…after a storm surge swept across the region the night before, local gas stations were cleaned out — diesel gone.
Drivers scrambled. Dispatchers panicked.
Half the day’s schedule was wiped before fuel was found. Clients called. Apologies were made. The ripple effects of that missed window would extend well into the weekend.
This is a small glance at what can happen when you rely on infrastructure you don’t control. Fuel is the lifeblood of your fleet. No fuel, no driving. What can you do when the fuel pump runs dry? In an era of increasingly volatile weather and unpredictable supply chains, it’s a risk that fleet managers cannot afford.
When Retail Pumps Fail, Fleet Fuel Delivery Steps In
A responsive on-site fleet fuel delivery can make for a convenient contingency plan, but it’s just as effective as a primary option.
Retail stations are designed for consumers, not commercial operations. When fuel demand spikes — after a storm, before a holiday, or during a regional supply disruption — your fleet is suddenly competing with the public for a scarce resource. This is a more common story than you might think, especially in the American southeast where hurricanes are known to cause panic and fuel shortages.
Fleet fueling companies, meanwhile, operate on a different model, with contracted supply. You don’t need to count on retail spot purchases and availability because you’ve locked in your delivery before it could be disrupted by a crisis. The delivery is scheduled to arrive at your depot, tank, or jobsite, regardless of external factors. Many fleet fuel providers also offer 24/7 availability in their service area.
Even if every pump in town runs dry, your delivery window holds, and so does your schedule.
Build Redundancy Into Your Fueling Strategy
Okay, so you want to achieve reliable fuel management. Resilience isn’t automatic. It’s built. Start with these four moves:
1. Identify Backup Fueling Sources
Know who can deliver fuel if your usual station or supplier can’t. Build a list of reliable fleet fuel delivery services in your region and talk to them before there’s a problem.
2. Rent Tanks for On-Site Storage
Having a 500- or 1,000-gallon tank on site gives you a buffer during emergencies. Pair it with a monitoring system to trigger refill deliveries when fuel runs low.
3. Secure Emergency Fuel Agreements
Can your provider guarantee delivery during outages or surges in demand? Some diesel fleet services offer dedicated emergency contracts or preferred scheduling for partners.
4. Implement Real-Time Fuel Tracking
You’ll always know how much fuel is on hand across sites or vehicles if you opt for an integrated fuel tracking system.
Six Questions to Ask Your Fuel Delivery Partner
If the pressure is already on to get your fuel, use this list of questions to get the info you need in one phonecall. You can also use these questions to vet your next provider (if you’re making a switch):
- Do you offer overnight deliveries to depots or jobsites?
- Can you supply multiple fuel types, including off-road diesel and DEF?
- How do you handle urgent, short-notice requests?
- Can I monitor deliveries and usage through your system?
- Do you integrate with fleet fuel cards or tracking software?
- What regions do you cover—and how fast can you reach me?
Whatley Oil Covers You When It Counts
We deliver fuel directly to fleets across Georgia and Alabama, even when local pumps are dry. Our priority is a reliable, rapid response for urgent fueling needs with exceptional customer service. Ask us about tank rentals with real-time monitoring and our support for on-site fueling and wet hosing. We’re ready to build a custom fueling plan around your unique routes and sites.
Fuel disruptions will happen. The difference is whether you’re stuck waiting or still moving. Talk to Whatley Oil about contingency plans and tank options that don’t leave you stranded.
