There’s more to fleet management than simply getting your clients the vehicles they need. That’s why we have multiple EV adoption options available as part of our one-size-doesn’t-fit-all philosophy to electric vehicles.
Merchants Fleet has the solution to all your utility fleet management needs. We’ve been serving utility companies across a variety of industries for more than 60 years, and we continue to offer the latest trucks, vans, and electric vehicles from top manufacturers. We have customized solutions for all types of utility companies, and we will work with you to build a successful fleet for your needs. Consider Merchants your comprehensive EV adoption partner as we work together to power your organization.
There are numerous benefits to having a unified utility fleet, including faster deployment to job sites, improved fleet safety, and lower costs. Our fleet management solutions will also help you select the right charging infrastructure, monitor your equipment, and track fuel management and driver behavior.
We understand that your company has unique needs, which is why we are ready to provide customized upfitting, fleet leasing, and other utility fleet management. We’ll work with you to find the best fleet for your utility business.
For utility and infrastructure contractors, we know that unified fleet management is a large part of your success. From pickup trucks to specialized F-500s and electric cargo vans, we can upfit your fleet. Popular upfits include customized lifts, cranes, flatbeds, toolboxes, ladder racks, and shelving. We can also recommend the right tires and wheels, which may vary due to terrain and climate. Merchants has the technical knowledge and industry experience for any size vehicle and fleet.
Most water utility trucks need to be heavily upfitted. From the driver’s rig and the tank to pumping equipment, each fleet is unique. Depending on weight, heavy-duty tanks may require special permitting and safety precautions; they may also adhere to specific regulations. Every driver must hold the right type of driver’s license and endorsements. Since liquid can easily damage a vehicle, maintenance is especially important for water trucks.
Oil and gas fleets tend to consist of pickup trucks and light-to-medium duty trucks. These fleets are servicing a variety of locations and carry equipment, piping, and workers. Most oil and gas fleets have light upfitting with a special focus on tires. Since these vehicles travel on all terrains, lifecycle is an important consideration. Some oil and gas fleets have started to move toward hybrid or fully electric vehicles as a way to hit organizational ESG goals.
Cable, telephone, and internet fleets can vary from vans to bucket trucks. Since the duties of service providers can range from in-house installation to cable work, so do the needs of their fleets. Service provider vans can be upfitted with boxes, storage for tools, and space to hold cabling. Trucks may be upfitted with a lift to work on telephone poles.
Merchants Fleet can procure virtually any make or model for your fleet and help customize vehicles for your business needs. We offer a wide variety of options, including the latest electric vehicles from top manufacturers such as BrightDrop, Ford, and GM. Contact Merchants to learn more.
Common Utility Vehicles:
Upfitting is not only critical to vehicle efficiency and importance — for utility fleets, it’s also a matter of safety. Ergonomics, specialized equipment like grounding features, high-visibility paint, and other features will help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. Merchants can provide upfits specific to each industry and utility vehicle, depending on your needs. While some of this work can be completed at the dealership, some specialized upfits may need to be installed off-site. We have a national network of upfitting companies that can help you find exactly what you need.
Plus, if you need a specific vehicle that isn’t available as an EV model, we have vendor partners that specialize in electric vehicle conversion.
We take on upfitting projects of all sizes and complexities including:
Identity
Safety
Practical use and function
If you’re looking to become an industry leader in the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) area, consider the implementation of electric vehicles. Not only are EVs more energy efficient than internal combustion engines (ICE), they demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and have the power to positively impact the health and wellness of local communities. You may also be eligible for EV or EVSE tax credits.
From sedans and SUVs to cargo vans and trucks, we can help you find the right electric vehicles for your utility fleet. We also work with vendors who specialize in EV conversion, which means you can transform a current ICE vehicle if a particular EV model you’re looking for isn’t available.
Popular EV fleet utility vehicles include:
We will help you secure the right type of EV infrastructure and financing options, and we also offer traditional invoicing for EV charging, which means you don’t have to worry about a third-party agreement.
Our AdoptEV program details the steps you need to take to get started, and our EV experts are ready to answer any questions you may have. From initial conception through implementation and utility fleet management, we’ll be there to guide you every step of the way with our best-in-class consulting and project management services.
A large utility company was frustrated with multiple contracts of different lengths and prices. The company had a mix of long-term leased assets and rental units, but the rental units cost almost twice as much as the leased assets.
Merchants was able to put a rent-to-lease option in place so the company could easily convert rentals to long-term leases once contract positions were solidified. These vehicles were then converted to long-term leases when a contract was extended. The company incurred a depreciation credit for each month a vehicle was rented that was applied to the cap cost at conversion, which further lowered the long-term lease payment. Rentals that were no longer needed were returned to Merchants for extra cost savings.
The company is now on track to save nearly $100,000 annually in lease payments, plus $853,000 annually in rental vehicle cost avoidance. In addition, they have saved on administrative costs from rental vehicle turn-ins.
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