Episode 162: Fleet Challenges Uncovered: Navigating EV Costs, CARB Regulations, and the Technician Shortage

At the end of 2024, RTA’s head of product and consulting Marc Canton went to several conferences and trade shows and gathered some of the biggest topics and challenges that will be facing fleets in 2025 and beyond. 

In this insightful episode of The Fleet Success Show, hosts Josh Turley, CEO at RTA, and Marc Canton, a 30-year fleet industry veteran, dive deep into those pressing challenges facing fleet managers today. With decades of combined experience, Josh and Marc discuss critical issues such as the hidden costs of transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), unintended consequences of CARB regulations, and the ongoing technician shortage.

Key highlights include:
🔹 CARB Regulations: Learn how fleet managers in California are being forced into costly decisions, including having to purchase unnecessary EVs to meet quotas.
🔹 The EV Cost Debate: The hosts debunk the myth that EVs are automatically cheaper, shedding light on higher-than-expected maintenance costs and total cost of ownership.
🔹 Battery Durability News: Promising data suggests EV powertrains could last up to 500,000 miles, challenging preconceived notions about electric vehicle longevity.
🔹 Technician Shortages: Discover how trade schools are struggling as students are poached by fleets, and what needs to be done to sustain the skilled workforce.
🔹 Fleet Startups Risks: An eye-opening discussion about the risks of partnering with new, unproven fleet technology providers and EV companies.

Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ CARB regulations are creating unintended barriers for fleet managers, leading to higher costs and operational inefficiencies.
2️⃣ EVs are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Fleets must carefully evaluate use cases, total cost of ownership, and long-term ROI.
3️⃣ Battery health data is promising, but early EV maintenance costs are higher than expected—underscoring the importance of thorough planning.
4️⃣ Bridging the gap between trade schools and fleets is critical to solving the technician shortage.
5️⃣ Avoiding risky fleet partnerships requires evaluating financial stability and long-term reliability of vendors.

Speakers:

• Josh Turley: CEO of RTA Fleet with over 20 years of experience in fleet technology and management.
• Marc Canton: A fleet management consultant with 30+ years of expertise in analytics, operations, and leadership.

Are you ready to future-proof your fleet? Listen now to gain actionable insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the fleet industry today. Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review!

🎙️ Check out The Fleet Success Show for more episodes at rtafleet.com.

#FleetManagement #EVTransition #CARBRegulations #Sustainability #TechnicianShortage #FleetSuccess #ElectricVehicles