Winter readiness, distracted driving countermeasures, and fleet innovation news — all in one Government Fleet Short.
In this recap, we cover:
A quick winterization playbook – Cold snaps that expose weak batteries, salt-driven corrosion, and small leaks that turn into big downtime. Plus the checklist items that prevent the usual winter failures: battery load tests and clean terminals, alternator output near 14V under load, heater shutoff valves (yes, check they’re open), tires/PSI/tread checks, brake inspection for rust and cracking, and winter-rated washer fluid with fresh wipers.
Distracted driving: practical steps fleets can take now – Key takeaways from a Government Fleet Expo panel: connected-vehicle alerts that can add 10–20 seconds of awareness, why telematics only works with consistent coaching, and the real safety stakes backed by NHTSA 2023 numbers (3,275 deaths, including 611 pedestrians/cyclists).
50 Leading Fleets: January is go-time – Applications open January 2026, with blind judging and recognition at Government Fleet Expo & Conference (June 9–12, Long Beach). It’s also one of the best built-in annual self-audits you can do as a fleet team.
Quincy pilot: emissions tech on ICE vehicles– The City of Quincy and Cero Global launched a pilot on 10–15 city vehicles to evaluate claimed emissions reductions (60%+) and fuel economy gains (3–5%) — plus what that could mean for municipal operating costs.
Plus, check out a few more articles worth clicking:
Michigan State Police 2026 Vehicle Testing Results: 2025 MSP Vehicle Tests Reveal Standout Police Cars, From EVs to Pursuit-Ready SUVs
Indiana State Police Troopers Receive New Look Dodge Durango Patrol Vehicles: Indiana State Police rolls out its first fleet of newly redesigned Dodge Durango patrol vehicles as 20 probationary troopers from the 87th Recruit Academy begin service across the state.
How Real World Vehicle Use Guides Replacement And Budgets: Three public fleet leaders explain how they use real-world vehicle data and long-term planning to keep aging assets in service and make more informed replacement and budgeting decisions in a high-cost environment.
New Mexico Signs Agreement Advancing Electrification and Grid Resilience Efforts: The City of Socorro signs a new agreement to accelerate electrification and infrastructure development.
November Government Fleet Sales: Another Drop: Government fleet sales saw a 17.3% decrease, going from 18,347 vehicles sold in November 2024 to 15,179 last month.
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Want another roundup? Check out the Challenges Haunting Public Sector Fleets