So here we are—6 months deep into a pandemic that has changed the way we work at the most basic level. Trying to predict what will happen next month, let alone next year, feels about as scientific as asking the Magic 8-Ball sitting on your desk. Despite all of this, the work continues, especially in our industry. 73% of fleet operations overall were deemed an essential service by government officials. Government itself is an essential service. State and local government fleets do not have the option of pausing their operations, and by all accounts they continue to rise to the challenge.

A recent survey found that a majority of fleets are worried that their budgets will be reduced by more than 10% over the next three months. Almost a quarter of fleets have said they are acquiring fewer vehicles right now. That may be short-sighted in the long run. Immediate capital expenditures are reduced, but operational expenditures will rise as assets age and require more unscheduled maintenance. The short-term gain does not outweigh the long-term pain.