Annual government fleet sales rose 12.8% in December 2022, a telling nod to the changing pace of the industry. As public organizations resume their pre-pandemic buying habits, fleet managers must be prepared to meet new challenges head-on.
Understanding trends and how they impact public fleet procurement helps your organization remain agile in this ever-evolving marketplace. With the right techniques and strategies, you can streamline your existing procurement strategy and ensure that your process remains competitive and consistent.
Let’s look at five major trends that you can leverage to your advantage.
How modern challenges are changing fleet vehicle purchasing trends
Public fleet managers have always faced numerous obstacles, and the COVID-19 pandemic introduced dozens of new ones, preventing managers from procuring fleet vehicles as quickly as before. Today, three major challenges shape the industry:
- Disrupted supply chains: The acquisition of specific makes and models may be difficult to do in a timely manner. Order-to-delivery times remain high for public fleet managers, obstructing the ordering process of much-needed equipment.
- Labor shortages: Both drivers and fleet managers find it challenging to manage the fallout stemming from the Great Resignation. Many roles remain vacant for extended periods, while skilled individuals retire from the workforce.
- Inflationary conditions: As the price of goods increases, so does everything else. Vehicles, equipment, chassis, and more are beginning to push leaner budgets to their limit.
Change is inevitable in the world of public fleet management. However, capitalizing on upcoming trends can help you ride the wave of change now and in the future.
Fleet vehicle purchasing trends that you should be using today
Successful public fleet vehicle management requires adopting major sustainable trends. Check out these five fleet vehicle purchasing trends that your organization can use today.
1. Transitioning to EV at your own pace
Government fleets need to be mostly electric by 2035. This puts additional pressure on government and educational organizations as they begin to change their vehicle makeup.
Look for ways to build up your infrastructure as you make the switch to EV. For example, install additional charging stations or purchase critical EV maintenance equipment.
2. Emphasizing telematics
Telematics enables you to monitor fleet vehicles in the ways that matter most. You can monitor driver performance and use data to improve fleet safety, fuel efficiency, and maintenance schedules.
The benefits of telematics have been continuously demonstrated. In fact, fleets that implement it correctly may improve customer service, reduce fuel costs, and report fewer safety incidents overall.
3. Expecting older vehicles to last longer
Deferred replacement is a necessary evil for many public organizations. Today, deferred replacement growth continues to dominate public fleets, especially with specialty equipment like school buses or recycling vehicles.
Fortunately, you can leverage this to your advantage by leaning into reliable models. You may want to perform more preventative maintenance to stretch the operational efficiency of your vehicles.
4. Rightsizing current fleets
Rightsizing refers to adjusting the fleet size for the purpose of optimization. Getting rid of extra vehicles or acquiring a few new models could save your organization thousands of dollars in the long run.
Start by analyzing your current fleet to determine your needs and utilization ratios. Next, consider how adding or subtracting vehicles may affect your budget or operational efficiency. Telematics may be useful as you compare numbers and determine the right path for your organization.
5. Migrating cooperative contracts
Cooperative contracts combine the buying power of multiple organizations into a single purchasing agreement. The proper use of a cooperative contract could reduce costs, increase equipment access, and boost order-to-delivery times.
Public organizations such as governments and educational facilities are welcome to search for cooperative contracts at any time. Even better, browsing cooperative contracts through Sourcewell is entirely free.
How to get started with fleet vehicle purchasing trends for free (cooperative contracts)
You can use cooperative contracts to your advantage without paying any extra fees. Once you register your government or education organization with Sourcewell, you can begin searching for contracts at no extra cost to you.
Here's why hundreds of public organizations turn to Sourcewell to explore cooperative contracts:
You can use the online registration form to get started today.
Here at Sourcewell, we help public agency buyers procure fleet vehicles faster by fulfilling the time-consuming bid process for them. Through cooperative contracts, we expedite the fleet vehicle procurement process so you can better serve your teams.
Want a faster procurement process? Contact one of our specialists today to buy the fleet solutions you need!
