Change. It’s a word that seems to be floating around the fleet industry right now. Sometimes it’s said in a positive tone, other times it’s said with a hint of chagrin.

For many it’s followed by questions on how governments will keep up with what’s happening and what to expect next. Vehicles are not what they used to be 15, 10 or even five years ago. Electronics have become, quite literally, the heart of what we now drive. Windows, seats, even steering can now rely on electric systems.

We rely on telematics to better understand our fleets. We’ve also been finding more ways to cut back on emissions and forgo the gas guzzling of the past with hybrids and the latest EVs. The fleet industry’s mindset is changing, and I see that as a positive thing.

But with all changes there are nevertheless challenges. More technology means a different set of problems. We need technicians who can tackle the computer systems in vehicles, fleet managers need to work around waitlists for vehicles, everyone must be able to put up with the demand for needed parts, the list goes on.

While there are so many moving parts at present, there is also a lot of “what next?” For those of you in government fleet, if ever there was a time for a pause button, this would be it. We’re still coming out of a pandemic and for many it feels like a time of playing catch-up.

If only we could have the luxury of infinite time to let parts come in, add vehicles to the fleet, and simply get caught up on the ever-changing bits of technology. But even as you read this, time continues to tick, and change continues to happen.

Maybe we don’t know what to expect, but what I do know is that the people in this industry are an incredibly adaptive group eager to talk about what they’ve learned to help improve fleets across the country. Those of us at Government Fleet are here to help highlight that and share your insight.

That’s why we publish these stories — to create a platform to better showcase new information and hopefully give you something to take back with you. So despite the challenges being faced, I see this as an exciting time.

Every day seems to bring new announcements relating to the fleet industry. We are very much on the cusp of a new era, and the fleet we once knew is quickly growing smaller. It’s an exciting, albeit uncertain, time of change. But if you’re willing to accept them, these changes could revolutionize fleet as we know it.