About the Author: Shelley Mika is the CEO of Mika Ink, an Omaha, Nebraska-based communications, branding and content strategy firm. She has been writing about the fleet industry since 2006.
Beyond EVs: What ‘Sustainable’ Really Means for Utility Fleets
Fleet electrification can make a big impact on emissions reductions. Yet the journey can be long and arduous – and it’s just one piece of the larger sustainability puzzle. To gain a deeper understanding of how today’s utilities are truly defining fleet sustainability – and the work they’re doing to achieve and improve upon it […]
With the continued proliferation of global business technology, most utility fleet managers are familiar with common digital security protocols like multifactor authentication, data protection policies and training to avoid phishing attacks. However, it’s not just laptops, tablets and cellphones that fleets need to be concerned with. Since connected vehicles are essentially computers on wheels, cybersecurity […]
In a busy maintenance shop, even a small misstep can lead to injury. Common hazard mitigation tactics include shop safety protocols, signage, and training and personal protective equipment for employees. But once a fleet manager checks those boxes, is there more they can do? To find out, UFP spoke with Jeffrey James Neal, fleet maintenance […]
Whether to rent or own heavy equipment is a question utility fleet managers commonly consider, largely because there isn’t a definitive answer other than, “It depends.” They must assess the various factors unique to their circumstances to determine the best path forward. In a recent conversation with UFP, Paul Jefferson, senior fleet manager at Oklahoma […]
Utility fleet managers have navigated numerous challenges over the past five years – think COVID, supply chain bottlenecks, inflation, the chip shortage and vehicle electrification. Each has had its own economic ripple effects, and now, with the looming prospect of tariffs, the fleet industry could be staring down further economic disruption. But whether the second […]
True fleet leadership requires more than keeping vehicles and equipment running. Successful leaders have vision, are adaptable, deeply understand people – and they continually seek growth opportunities to refine their existing skills and learn new ones. Fortunately, the industry is rife with accessible resources to aid fleet professionals in their leadership journeys. Here are five […]
Over the last decade, numerous industry changes and challenges – think vehicle electrification, navigating a global pandemic and the growth of data-based decision-making – have all but forced fleet managers to develop new skills. As we consider the next 10 years, what talents will utility fleet managers of the future need to successfully overcome obstacles […]
It wasn’t long ago that news headlines suggested fully autonomous trucks would soon dominate American roadways. Those predictions have subsided, but truck OEMs and vehicle technology companies continue to refine and advance their autonomous solutions, often outside the spotlight. Meanwhile, various states are working their way through legislation that could further delay mass deployment of […]
To accurately forecast trends for the coming year, some consideration must be given to the past. In recent years, utility fleet leaders – in addition to their many other responsibilities – have been tasked with safely guiding employees through a pandemic while also trying to stay on top of an ever-increasing number of new vehicles […]
Establishing adequate charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is among the challenges utility fleet managers and their staff must successfully navigate to achieve their organization’s vehicle and equipment electrification goals. The first step is determining whether the organization has the capacity to support its electrification plans; if sufficient capacity does not exist, decisions must be made […]
