Most Read Government Fleet News Stories of 2020

It was inevitable that at least a few spots in the top 10 would be taken up by COVID-19 related news items in 2020. But the unprecedented pandemic wasn't the only thing on the minds of fleet managers. Readers still showed interest in other stories, including a possible update to USPS vehicles and police vehicle tests. Of course, no year would be complete without Government Fleet's Leading Fleets award results. There also appeared to be great interest in nominating public fleet managers for the coveted Hall of Fame designation. While our annual award presentation was hosted online this year (along with the rest of our annual GFX tradeshow, which transformed into the GFX Experience), it didn't dampen the fact there are many fleets and fleet managers who work tirelessly to keep America moving. 

1. ​Announcing the 2020 Leading Fleets: The 50 Leading Fleets represent the best in the industry. Rankings for the top 20 fleets as well as the top fleets in size categories: No. 1 small fleet (499 or fewer assets), No. 1 mid-size fleet (500-999 assets), and No. 1 large fleet (1,000 or more assets) were featured in the July/August 2020 issue of Government Fleet.
2. USPS Issues Production RFP on Next-Gen Vehicles: The next-generation delivery vehicles (NGDV) is a planned replacement program for USPS's current Grumman Long Life Delivery Vehicles (LLVs) and E-85 Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) used in delivery operations. The Grumman LLV has been in use since 1987 and the majority of these vehicles have reached the end of their 24-year operational lifespan.
3. COVID-19 Fleet Response: Shop Safety, Driver Guidance, Prioritizing Vehicles: COVID-19 continues to spread, and fleet organizations nationwide are reacting. Here’s how a few public fleet organizations are handling the crisis.
4. Nominate a 2020 Public Fleet Hall of Fame Member: Public Fleet Hall of Fame members are recognized industry leaders and pioneers who have contributed to the public fleet management profession. Eligible nominees must have at least 20 years of experience in the public fleet management industry. At least 10 of these years must have been spent working for a public fleet or a private company contracted to manage a public fleet.
5. 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV and SSV Ready for Debut: The Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle is designed for high speeds and dynamic capability with the added comfort needed from an everyday patrol vehicle; the Special Service Vehicle is more focused on off-road and towing needs where high-speed operations are not required.
6. California City PD Releases Tesla Patrol Vehicle Pilot Results: The Fremont, Calif., Police Department (FPD) released the results of the electric patrol vehicle pilot program that tested a Tesla Model S 85 electric vehicle (EV) customized for patrol operations from March 2019 to March 2020.
7. How to Clean a Coronavirus-Infected EMS Vehicle: After transporting a patient suspected of having the COVID-19 virus, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel need to ensure vehicles are cleaned and disinfected. Here are the interim guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
8. 2020 Public Fleet Hall of Fame Inductees Named: Discover the three fleet managers who took their rightful place in the Fleet Hall of Fame.
9. City Police Turn to UV Lights to Disinfect Vehicles: To keep officers safe from coronavirus infection, the City of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., added ultraviolet lights to disinfect its police vehicles in addition to offering personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves and encouraging proper handwashing techniques, social distancing, and use of hand sanitizers.
10. Mass. State Police on Transitioning to Hybrid Patrol Vehicles: The Massachusetts State Police fleet consists of 3,100 vehicles, more than half of which are frontline patrol cars. Of these, 1,600 are Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, and this year, the agency has ordered only the hybrid version of the PIU for its frontline patrol vehicles — 161 vehicles, Sergeant PJ Fernandes for the fleet administration section confirmed.