By Ed Pierce, Editor, Fleet Management Weekly

Although artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping nearly every business and industry, fleet operations stand out for their deep reliance on data to optimize every phase of the vehicle lifecycle, from acquisition to disposal.

This dependence on timely, accurate, and actionable information makes AI a critical tool for sustaining and improving performance monitoring.

As corporate fleet managers face increasing complexity, rising customer expectations, and growing sustainability demands, AI-driven insights empower them to maintain control, adapt quickly, and make decisions that directly impact operational success.

Over time, AI-driven operations will cease to be a differentiator and will become a necessity. Fleets without advanced AI capabilities will struggle to match the speed, precision, and efficiency of those that do.

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By David Glines, Director of Product Management, Wheels

Unlock the six essential components of a successful fleet safety program and take your organization’s safety strategy to the next level.

These best practices will help you reduce risks, enhance driver behavior, and leverage technology to protect your drivers and your business.

By implementing these proven strategies, you can unlock the full potential of your fleet’s safety performance — reducing risk, boosting efficiency, and protecting what matters most: your drivers.

To learn more, download our eBook, Six Steps to Fleet Safety: Unlocking the Power of Connected Vehicles, and take a deeper dive into these essential best practices.

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Updated Since Our May Report

By Ed Pierce, Editor, Fleet Management Weekly

The fleet industry is navigating a whirlwind of changes as it faces an uncertain future shaped by recent tariff updates. Since May 22, 2025, a series of significant tariffs have rolled out, dramatically affecting commercial and government fleets alike.

As vehicle procurement costs soar, fleet leaders must rethink their strategies and adapt to this new landscape, because preparing for the future means staying one step ahead of the next tariff twist! Tariff volatility and higher costs are the new normal for fleets.

Fleet leaders must prepare for strategic sourcing shifts, tighten their compliance controls, and budget carefully for higher price tags on vehicles, service, and parts as tariffs ripple through the market for years to come.

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The US Environmental Protection Agency has announced it has no current plans to extend existing Clean Air Vehicle Decal programs across more than a dozen states that allow alternative-fueled vehicles, like hydrogen, hybrid, or electric vehicles, to use carpool lanes, even with a sole occupant.

The current program will expire at the end of September 2025, and despite being largely a state-run operation where it’s offered, it still requires federal approval through the EPA.

The biggest state likely to be impacted is California. According to the California DMV website, the last day to apply for a decal will be August 29 (with a $27 fee), and the final day it will be useful will be September 30, 2025.

via CarBuzz

July was a strong month for the vehicle market, with strength in fleet and retail and strength in new and used. The main sign of issues from tariffs so far is the accelerating year-over-year increase in average price paid.

By volume, new-vehicle sales increased 9.3% month over month. Sales into large rental fleets were up 56.2% year over year, while sales into commercial fleets were up 1.1%, but sales into government fleets were down 19.8%.

Including an estimate for fleet deliveries into dealer and manufacturer channels, the remaining retail sales were estimated to be up 6.7% from last year, leading to an estimated retail SAAR of 13.8 million.

via Cox Automotive

Nearly 120 years ago, the Ford Model T became the “Universal Car. Now, Ford is ushering in the next chapter with the Ford Universal EV Platform – a new idea for a new era.

Vehicles assembled on this platform will be affordable for the average family — but also highly efficient, customizable, and fun to drive. And they won’t be stripped down to the bare essentials.

Instead, these vehicles will be packed with innovative features and new software experiences that set them apart — and make people want to drive them. Better yet, they’ll improve over time with over-the-air updates that continue to add new capabilities where available.

via Ford 

Photo: GOEVIN

Indiana is getting a major EV charging boost. GOEVIN (Go Electric Vehicle Indiana) just announced Pilot is one the recipients of its latest funding round, aimed at expanding the state’s publicly accessible EV charging network.

Over $3.3 million is being awarded to support the buildout of 36 new charging projects: 18 DC fast charger sites and 18 Level 2 charging stations.

All of the DC fast chargers will be built along Indiana’s designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, meaning drivers will be able to plug in 24/7 at travel centers, restaurants, and shopping areas along major highways. Construction on the new GOEVIN chargers is expected to kick off this fall, with all 36 projects slated to be completed by the end of 2026.

via Electrek

Work Truck Solutions®, a leading commercial vehicle authority, has released its Q2 2025 Commercial Vehicle Market Analysis, highlighting continued strength in the new commercial vehicle market and its ripple effects across the used sector.

With inventory level stabilization, the commercial vehicle ecosystem is showing signs of healthy alignment—as robust new vehicle sales are beginning to replenish used inventory and drive movement across both segments.

“Although sales across most body types remain strong, the continued rise in new vehicle Days-to-Turn tells an important story,” said Aaron Johnson, CEO of Work Truck Solutions.

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Electric vehicle (EV) drivers value convenience almost as highly as charging speed, according to a new survey of 1,000 U.S. EV owners commissioned by Konect.

The research highlights critical gaps in today’s charging networks, showing drivers expect that experience to be as user-friendly as filling with fuel.

“This survey makes one thing clear: people don’t just want fast charging, they want fast access to charging,” said Merrick Glass, managing Director at Konect. “It’s not solely about charging speed anymore…”

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By Tod Trousdell, Fleet Marketing Consultant

In this edition of Fleet Pro Focus, we take a step back from focusing on some of the veterans of the fleet space and speak with a relative newcomer, Nathan Reid, the CEO of transporter uShip Logistics.

Reid has been encouraged by fleet’s response to his company’s flexible and cost-effective offering, which makes it fast and easy for fleets and fleet management companies to manage the entire transportation lifecycle for vehicles and other assets.

“I’ve had invaluable mentors in my life… When it comes to the fleet space, we’re still new and those relationships are just getting seeded. I’m always eager to meet people I can learn from and offer that same opportunity to others wherever I can help.”

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