DEPARTMENTS

During NTEA’s Work Truck Week 2025 in Indianapolis, the Green Truck Summit’s industry roundtable on “Advancing Technology Adoption” brought together a powerhouse panel to break down the seismic shifts reshaping the commercial vehicle landscape. Moderated by Andrew Wrobel of NTEA, the discussion featured Scott Brower, vice president of vehicle supply, new products and vehicle applications at Pensk…

When Elizabeth Daiber began her career as a certified public accountant, fleet management was nowhere on her radar. “I went to school to be an accountant. I ended up getting my CPA. I worked in public accounting for two years and then moved into internal audit for Ameren Corporate,” said Daiber, who now serves as fleet superintendent for Ameren Illinois. But in 2014, a job posting within the comp…

All-terrain utility vehicles (ATUVs) enable utility crews to work anywhere from rocky slopes to flooded valleys, delivering people, materials and equipment where standard vehicles can’t. With advanced models offering rugged hauling and amphibious travel, the ATUV market is pushing boundaries. Curious about the newest advancements for your fleet? Check out these five developments. Prinoth Panther…

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 and make the most of new opportunities…

Among the significant decisions a utility fleet manager may face is whether to outsource vehicle maintenance work or handle it in-house. What do you need to know to make the right choice for your operation? UFP recently interviewed two industry veterans to identify key decision points. According to Elizabeth Daiber, superintendent of field support and analysis for Ameren Illinois, resource availa…

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 autono…

Many fleets in the utility sector have set ambitious zero-emission targets, but headwinds in the U.S. electric vehicle market – due to production slowdowns and an evolving regulatory environment – are creating new obstacles. Even so, it doesn’t appear that fleet managers are significantly adjusting their electrification roadmaps. American Electric Power, Pacific Gas and Electric, Sacramento Munic…

Over 160 fleet representatives are expected to attend the 72nd Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference, scheduled for June 1-4 at the Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center in Williamsburg, Virginia. This year’s event features a new site for the equipment show and drive-through demonstration, allowing both to take place in the same location. The equipment show will include more than 60 displ…

Silbertool, a leader in precision engineering and thread repair solutions, manufactures reliable, efficient, cost-effective tools to repair damaged threads. These tools – designed for fleet maintenance professionals and trusted by fleet operators and mechanics – can be used for instant thread repair, helping to keep commercial vehicles on the road. Silbertool’s thread repair tools utilize cold ro…

e-Hazard now offers a training course designed for non-electrical personnel who maintain and repair electric batteries used as primary power for mobile equipment and vehicles. Mechanics and maintenance personnel must be trained to identify any electrical hazards they may encounter and determine the electrical work practices necessary to safely perform the work. Electricity is an integral part of…

DICA, a leading provider of high-performance outrigger pads and ground stabilization solutions, has expanded its award-winning LevelRight Outrigger Pad product line. First introduced in 2024, LevelRight has quickly become a trusted solution for safely setting up specialty equipment – including bucket trucks, cranes and aerial lifts – on unlevel terrain. The LevelRight Outrigger Pad is now availab…

Terex Utilities launched new maintenance training workshops this year to take the place of the annual Service School, typically held in June. The workshops are for mechanics working on Terex digger derricks and bucket trucks. The first two workshops have already occurred – one on the Hi-Ranger Optima bucket truck took place in January, and the other on digger derricks was held the first week of M…

VMAC, a leader in compressed air innovation, has announced the launch of the VMAC e30 with Stealth Power, the world’s most compact, lightweight and intelligent battery-electric-powered 30-CFM rotary screw air compressor. Designed specifically for next-generation electric and hybrid service trucks and vans, the VMAC e30 with Stealth Power offers an unmatched combination of power, performance and s…

Reading Truck, a leading truck body equipment manufacturer and distributor, has expanded its crane body lineup with the introduction of two new models: the RM-25 Crane Body and the RM-35 Crane Body. The addition of these two models rounds out the company’s portfolio for the RM Series product line by providing customers with a complete range of lifting capabilities and crane body options, from mid…

Brian Johnson was an incoming senior industrial and systems engineering student at Auburn University when he started a summer internship at Alabama Power, a Southern Company. At the time, he wasn’t looking for a career in fleet. But as for many in the industry, fleet found him. Nearly two decades later, Johnson is the fleet engineering and technical services manager at Alabama Power, overseeing a…

When it comes to rightsizing your fleet in the utility sector, traditional models fall short. Unlike package delivery fleets that can schedule around predictable peaks, utility fleets must maintain enough vehicles for unpredictable emergencies while also controlling costs. “On a typical day in the utility sector, only about 60% of fleet vehicles leave the yard,” said Chris Shaffer, CEO of Utilima…

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 and vehicle technologies flooding the market. A look at the next 1…

Two activities are critical to a fleet manager’s successful search for new truck-mounted compressors. First is gaining a full understanding of the application, vehicle constraints and long-term needs. Second is determining the correct specifications – based on the application – to ensure equipment performance, efficiency and longevity. In a recent interview with UFP, Vanair’s John Dunn stressed t…