Vehicle reimbursement programs for organizations with employees who drive often incur unexpected costs beyond initial calculations. The four main options – company-provided vehicles, car allowances, cents-per-mile reimbursement, and fixed and variable rate (FAVR) reimbursement – each present distinct advantages and hidden expenses.

Fleet programs average $12,816 per driver annually when accounting for fuel cards, maintenance, and liability risks. Car allowances create tax waste while potentially disadvantaging employees in high-cost regions.

Cents-per-mile programs face challenges with mileage fraud and audit exposure, particularly with high-mileage drivers. FAVR reimbursements offer the most comprehensive solution by tailoring payments to geographic costs, though they require more complex administration.

Most companies benefit from implementing multiple vehicle reimbursement program types simultaneously to address different driving profiles, making comprehensive program management essential. Understanding these total costs helps businesses implement solutions that balance financial considerations with employee satisfaction and compliance requirements.

To download the full Motus Total Cost of Vehicle Programs report, click here.

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Fleet operators are currently navigating a landscape filled with challenges due to rising fuel prices, the implementation of stricter environmental regulations, and increasing competition.

It is imperative to recognize that fuel-saving technology is no longer optional but necessary.

This article firmly addresses recent breakthroughs in the field, such as cutting-edge telematics, AI-driven systems, enhancements in aerodynamics, and effective methods to influence driver behavior.

Data indicates that managers can reduce fuel consumption by approximately 13-16% by strategically leveraging these tools.

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Media Day returned for its third year at NAFA Fleet Management Association’s annual Institute & Expo in Long Beach, California.

The event provided a dynamic platform for nearly a dozen leading companies to share breaking news, innovations and important announcements with industry reporters.

Participants showcased a range of industry advancements in AI, data analytics, education, safety and more.

“Media Day continues to be a cornerstone of NAFA’s Institute & Expo, providing an invaluable opportunity for industry leaders to showcase their latest innovations and engage directly with the media,” said Bill Schankel, CAE, CEO of NAFA.

“The exciting announcements and groundbreaking solutions shared today highlight the fleet industry’s commitment to driving innovation and shaping the future of fleet management.”

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U.S. President Donald Trump signed a pair of orders to soften the blow of his auto tariffs on Tuesday with a mix of credits and relief from other levies on materials, and his trade team touted its first deal with a foreign trading partner.

The developments helped eased some investor worries about the erratic trade policies of Trump as the president visited Michigan, a cradle of the U.S. auto industry, just days before a fresh set of 25% import taxes was set to kick in on automotive components.

In his latest partial reversal of tariff policies, the Republican president agreed to give carmakers two years to boost the percentage of domestic components in vehicles assembled domestically.

via Reuters

Azuga announced the launch of its new line of Next-Gen SafetyCams: the SafetyCam Plus and SafetyCam Pro.

This new line of cutting-edge AI-powered video solutions is designed to revolutionize fleet safety, reduce liability, and empower proactive risk prevention.

“With the launch of SafetyCam Plus and SafetyCam Pro, we’re not just keeping up with the pace of change in fleet safety—we’re setting it,” said Jeremy Collins, CEO of Azuga. “These next-gen cameras act as a real-time, in-cab virtual coach that helps drivers make safer decisions in the moment. Our goal at Azuga is simple: to prevent accidents before they happen—not just report on them after the fact.”

via Business Wire

San Francisco and it’s electric is officially marking the installation of the city’s first curbside EV chargers today in a new pilot program.

Brooklyn-based curbside EV charging company it’s electric installed two new Level 2 chargers at 55 Filmore Street, outside the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) building.

Mayor Daniel Lurie said, “These curbside EV chargers are the first of many, and I want to thank it’s electric for working with us to bring this innovation to our streets. By streamlining our permitting process with the new Emerging Technology Permit, we’re making it faster and easier to deliver clean energy to our communities.”

via Electrek

The federal $7,500 tax credit towards a new EV is already a sweet deal, but other statewide programs can further incentivize consumers. Earlier this month, the state of New York added another $30 million to its EV rebate program.

More than 60 new EVs and PHEVs are eligible for the point-of-sale rebate, which is available in all 62 counties throughout the state. Since 2017, the Drive Clean Rebate program has issued more than 190,000 rebates towards the purchase or lease of a new EV.

While the current administration seems set on hampering EV adoption, New York is pushing forward with the transition to EVs. Through the state’s Drive Clean Rebate program, consumers can get up to $2,000 off a new EV.

via Autoblog

By Brian Antonellis, CTP, Senior Vice President of Fleet Operations, Fleet Advantage

A strategic five-year procurement plan serves as an important roadmap for procurement decision makers, guiding everything from equipment acquisition, maintenance, and replacement and lease surrender/remarketing.

It allows organizations to anticipate and prepare for future needs, technological advancements, and additional regulatory changes.

By taking a long-term view, these companies can optimize their fleet makeup, reduce operational costs, and enhance overall performance.

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Curated by Ed Pierce, Fleet Management Weekly

This is the first in a continuing report on the impact of U.S. Tariffs on the fleet industry. People often repeatedly ask how fleet managers are reshuffling their plans to deal with these tariff bumps.

Nearly half of fleet managers are hitting pause on their replacement schedules. About 30% are even working to extend the life of their vehicles to dodge those immediate tariff-driven costs.

Fleet executives are now playing out different cost and supply scenarios. In most cases, they update their budgets to cover current expenses, unexpected price swings, and supply delays.

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The following article by Heavy Duty Trucking’s Editor and Associate Publisher Deborah Lockridge has been abridged.

In a new executive order signed April 28, “Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers,” the President directed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to rescind a 2016 FMCSA guidance on enforcement of English language proficiency requirements for truck drivers and replace it within 60 days.

According to those regulations, to drive a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce, drivers must be able to speak and read English satisfactorily.

What the executive order takes aim at is actually an Obama-era memorandum directing law enforcement officials to not put non-English-speaking truckers out of service.

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