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Electric vehicles (EVs) have been mass produced on the market since the 90s, but they are only now just gaining in popularity. Many companies have pledged to go all electric in the next 15 years, which means that more varieties of electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming available. With no end in sight for increasing fuel expenses, EVs are starting to look pretty good to the average consumer. But about fleet managers? When is the right time to transition to EVs? What steps are needed to get started?

Benefits of Electric Vehicle Fleets

Far beyond the incredible reduction of carbon emissions in the environment, there are many appealing aspects of transitioning to an electric fleet. In many cases, the overall cost of ownership of an EV or hybrid is lower than a gas vehicle. In fully electric vehicles, there are not any fuel cost, and the cost of recharging the battery is exponentially less than gas. Maintenance costs are also lower. EVs have fewer complications for the simple fact that they are less complicated vehicles. Most EVs are equipped to be digitally connected to your fleet management tracking system, helping you stay on top of your efficiencies seamlessly. And, many employees report enjoying driving fleet vehicles more because they are less noisy and don’t emit toxic exhaust fumes.

Cons of Electric Vehicle Fleets

The biggest disadvantage facing EVs is the initial cost. New EVs cost more on average than other new vehicles. But, as mentioned before, the additional expense is often absorbed in cost savings over time. There are also not many options to purchase used EVs. This is in part because they are relatively new to the market and because people tend to keep EVs longer. Range is also a limitation for EVs. While there are charging stations nationwide, charging can be time consuming and should be taken into consideration when planning fleet operations.

Are EVs Right for Your Fleet?

Deciding to go electric with your fleet is a big decision and requires careful consideration. Onward Fleet Solutions is available to help you along the way. We can help you determine the right time to go electric. With so many companies pledging to go electric in the distant future, EVs are likely inevitable at some point. But, if you are planning to upgrade soon and can afford the initial upfront cost, EV may be a great option for your fleet now. We can help you choose the right EV, with options to upfit, and connect you with the best systems for fleet management and best technicians for fleet maintenance. Plus, there are many great incentives and rebates for electric vehicles, and we can make sure you get every penny available to you.

Anyone who has ever operated a fleet is familiar with the substantial operating costs. Even with technological advances that have reduced consumption, fuel is still responsible for a large portion of operating costs. Because of this, there are big opportunities for savings if fuel consumption is monitored and optimized.

Monitor Your Drivers

Monitoring driver behavior is an effective first step at reducing fuel costs. Behaviors such as irregular gear changes, hard brakes, and driving over the speed limit can have negative impacts on fuel consumption. Getting drivers motivated and on board with good driving practices is essential for a fleet to run smoothly. Not only will it create better drivers, but it will also reduce your fuel costs.

Plan Routes Ahead

Planning efficient and direct routes can also help reduce fuel costs. As a general rule-of-thumb, planning ahead is never a bad idea and when it comes to knowing the best routes for your fleet to take, this remains true. Knowing how to avoid traffic and where to stop for fuel should be done while making routes. By avoiding traffic vehicles will spend less time idling and wasting fuel. Telematics are helpful in planning journeys and routes. Being able to monitor and track vehicles can help to avoid congestion.

Maintain Vehicles

Making sure that vehicles are serviced and maintained is another way to make sure that fuel costs are being mitigated. Even small issues such as incorrect tire pressure can result in steep decreases in fuel economy. Making sure that drivers carry out daily walk around checks and having vehicles serviced regularly will mitigate the chances of excess fuel consumption due to mechanical malfunction.

Maximize Savings

Considering how fuel is purchased will be important as well. Whether it is buying in bulk at wholesale prices or utilizing choosing to use fuel cards, regularly reviewing fuel purchasing options is beneficial to making sure that you are keeping costs as low as possible. By staying on top of this, you will ensure that you are always getting the best deal.

Work with a Trusted Fleet Management Partner

Managing fuel costs is absolutely essential when operating a fleet. Utilizing a fleet management service can help with all of the above strategies and techniques involved with reducing fuel costs. For information on how you can help your fleet cut down on fuel costs, visit our contact page and get connected with an expert that can help you.

The decision to lease or buy your fleet of vehicles… what is better for your business? The truth is, nobody can make that decision for you. The best option for you and your business is going to be wholly dependent on your specific scenario. There are, however, pros and cons associated with both options and utilizing a fleet management service can help guide you toward the best option for you.

Because most of us are familiar with the process of buying a vehicle, let’s look at the benefits of owning.

Freedom

The most obvious benefit to owning your own vehicles. There are no imposed limitations. The distance your fleet travels every year is fully up to you, as there are no mileage or wear-and-tear limitations involved with owning your own vehicles. You are also free to sell and remove vehicles from your fleet without any penalties or fees.

Pricing

Buying in large quantity, continued purchasing, and referrals may allow you to leverage for lower per unit prices when buying a fleet. Partnering with a fleet management service can also give you access to OEM discounts that would otherwise be unavailable from retailers.

Tax Benefits and Equity Reinvestment

As your vehicles depreciate you can use this to help offset profits and lower what you will owe in taxes. In addition, your vehicles will gain equity over time. As you pay down what you owe on them, the value of your fleet will be greater than what is owed. That positive equity can then be reinvested into your business. With leasing, the earned equity stays with the lessor.

Buying sounds pretty good. Before you make a decision, let’s look at how leasing can be beneficial.

Preservation of Capital

Leasing agreements typically have lower monthly payments than purchases. This will allow you to utilize that capital in other core business functions all while still having the benefits of new vehicles in your fleet.

Maintenance and Vehicle Replacement

Since leased vehicles are usually new, less maintenance is required and the vehicles will have better fuel economy. This means more vehicle uptime in addition to lower maintenance and fuel costs. Some lease agreements will even include options for regular preventative maintenance.

Replacing vehicles is as simple as deciding how long your lease lasts. It is common for leases to last three to five years. That means regularly having new vehicles in your fleet. There is also less cost and liability involved with leasing a vehicle, allowing for greater flexibility in replacing vehicles.

Less Paperwork

Leasing agreements come with less administrative tasks. You do not own the vehicle, your business is not on the vehicles’ title, or registration, and you will not be responsible for taxes owed. Tag and license renewal, title retention payments, and property taxes are up to the leasing agency.

As is evident, both options have their benefits. To make the decision easier for you and your company, a fleet management service can help you navigate what would be best for your scenario. For help with deciding whether to lease or buy, Onward has experts available to offer guidance and information. Contact us at our website, email us, or give us a call at (405) 215-9068. Our team will be happy to help. 

Businesses across many industries utilize commercial vehicles to transport people and products every day. These vehicles are often one of the most expensive assets. Because of this, effective fleet management keeps your business running smoothly. Effective systems, processes and tools will benefit you in a number of ways.

1) Find the right vehicles for your company. Whether you are financing, paying-in-full, or leasing, a tailored vehicle acquisition plan will save your business from the frustrations associated with handling vehicle acquisitions on your own. In addition, partnering with a fleet management service can unlock OEM discounts that retailers would not be able to offer. 

2) Get more data. Software designed for fleet management lends a lot of information to your disposal. Both historical and real-time. The more data available, the more insights managers will have to make necessary decisions. An experienced fleet management partner can help you make sense of the data and use it to optimize your operations.

3) Stay on top of vehicle maintenance. Fewer breakdowns and accidents will occur when vehicles are staying proactively up-to-date on their service and drivers will be safer for it. In addition, income will be less affected by losses if your vehicles are reliable and safe. 

4) Monitor your drivers. The ability to monitor driver performance metrics allows fleet managers to see hard brakes, fast accelerations, and aggressive cornering. Reducing these instances will result in a safer fleet that is also less likely to get ticketed for aggressive driving behaviors or worse.

5) Automate your processes. Automation of manual tasks, such as logging hours, allows for accurate tracking of when drivers were on the road and lightens the load on drivers who will no longer be expected to do these more menial tasks. 

6) Manage your fuel. Monitoring of delays, downtime, and idling can help to reduce fuel costs and emissions. On average about 60% of costs associated with fleets come from fuel expenditures. When unmonitored that number can go even higher. 

7) Reduce your Total Cost of Ownership (TOC). Reduce TOC through vehicle acquisitions, fuel management, and partnerships for maintenance. Utilizing an organization that handles all of these aspects of your fleet will reduce the overall cost of managing your fleet. 

8) Have an end-of-life plan for your vehicles. Establish a remarketing plan from the beginning that encompasses what will be done with a vehicle through every stage of its lifecycle. This will include when it is time to remarket or sell assets. Having strategies that will extract the most value from assets will lend more revenue that can be invested back into the business. 

9) Reduce managers’ workload. Allowing a fleet management service to do the heavy lifting involved with fleet staffing, optimizing vehicle utilization, alternative fuel strategy, asset management and many other services will free up your employees to handle what they do best. 

10) Get compliant. Many compliance standards must be met. Whether it’s licensing and titling, DOT regulations, driver safety, or accident protocol, every industry will have standards they need to meet. A fleet management service will take care of all of it, leaving you more time and less stress.  

For information on fleet management systems, tools, and processes please reach out to us on our contact page and one of our experts will be happy to answer your questions and steer you towards a solution. 

What happens when a fleet vehicle reaches the end of its service life? Are you prepared to make the most of your investment when that time comes? We’ve outlined some key take-aways to help you prepare to remarket your fleet assets, when the time comes.

Advanced Planning

Success is where preparation meets opportunity. You put a lot of time, money and personnel resources into fleet maintenance. Establishing a plan before your fleet vehicles drive their last mile can prevent wasted resources later down the road. After all, a primary goal of fleet management is to reduce your total cost of ownership (TCO). Fuel programs, OEM discounts for vehicle acquisition, maintenance partnerships and asset management can all help reduce TCO. When taken together, these strategies can have a significant impact on your business financial wellness. But one of the biggest drivers for profit creation, and a lower TCO, is undoubtedly remarketing.

Buyer Resources

With a solid plan in place, you will have plenty of potential buyers for your fleet when it’s time to remarket. Buyers may include drivers, other clients, or third-party programs. We can help you find the right buyer, at the right price.

Channel Surfing

No, we don’t mean on TV. There are many ways to sell a vehicle, but knowing the best channel for your fleet can help you make more money. We can help connect you with buyers on the web, auctions, dealerships and more.

Are your wheels turning? By managing all the stages in your fleet lifecycle—from acquisition through remarketing—a full-service partner can help you identify key optimizations that drive up your assets’ sale prices down the line. With a single partner executing all essential management functions, no area of your asset’s value gets overlooked or left behind. Give us a call so we can help start planning for your fleet today. 

Simply put, fleet management is the administrative oversight of a business’s vehicles and vehicle processes. Businesses of all sizes may have fleet vehicles. A productive fleet management system coordinates all components of a fleet to ensure maximum efficiency and compliance with regulations. Fleet management solutions, such as those offered at Onward Fleet, include acquiring vehicles, fuel management, maintenance, compliance, remarketing vehicles, data management, and more. 

Fleet Management is often an in-house operation. In many cases, fleet management becomes the responsibility of several departments and is often time consuming. Employees with numerous responsibilities become unable to prioritize the data-driven results necessary to maximize fleet operations. The benefits of partnering with a fleet management company include: 

• Comprehensive oversight and accountability for your company’s assets 
• Cost-savings through fuel management and vehicle maintenance 
• Access to state-of-the-art technology and software 
• Compliance with numerous government regulations 

At Onward Fleet Solutions, we offer full-service partnerships fueled by a relentless drive to help your business succeed. We take the time to understand your business’ needs before advising on solutions. We spot value-add opportunities and close crucial gaps across the fleet life cycle. We deliver customized strategies for fleets of all sizes—including smaller ones often overlooked by other providers. We forge strong relationships with our customers and with strategic partners who deliver exponential value. And through it all, we continually update our offering to ensure our clients always Go Onward.

Onward Fleet Solutions offers everything your company needs to ensure successful fleet management. From building a strategy for your fleet to capturing feedback from your drivers, we’re your partner every step of the way. So, what makes us different from every other fleet management company or product on the market? Well, unlike others, we truly care more about your success than about profiting from your business.

Onward Fleet is run by some of the industry’s most passionate, dedicated, and experienced professionals in the field. We go the extra mile to make sure our partners are happy with our services and supported by our staff. We understand better than anyone that fleet managers are consistently asked to do more with fewer resources and we can help your team establish the best practices and tools to build efficiency and transparency in your processes.

Our business was founded on the idea of forward movement. We want you to take your fleet management processes onward and upward. Learn more about the Onward Advantage and contact us to learn more.