The Elite Fleets are former No. 1 fleet operations in Government Fleet’s awards programs that continue to perform at a high level. Fleet managers of the Elite Fleets are often asked to judge awards, including the Leading Fleets award.

These fleets continually work on improvements at their own operations. This year’s Elite Fleets are working on fleet greening, employee training, benchmarking projects, updating old or outdated infrastructure, and staying efficient.

City of Portland, Ore., No. 1 in 2011

Initiative 1: Fleet implemented a “Path to Leadership” program that provides employees opportunities to advance and achieve their career goals, a key part of the city’s succession planning efforts.

Initiative 2: The fleet significantly increased electric vehicles (EVs) and added EV charging stations at two locations. It also increased the use of renewable/biodiesel fuels and is purchasing bi-fuel natural gas vehicles that would use methane gas processed from city’s wastewater treatment plant.

Shows Leadership By: Providing technicians with new diagnostic laptops, equipment, software, and training. Fleet increased training on specialized and technologically advanced vehicles and equipment and is in the process of hiring a company to design a new Municipal Service Center and fleet facility.

Key Stats:

• Fleet Size: 2,550 on-road + 600 off-road

• Staff: 77

• Maintenance facilities: 7

• Operating budget: $19.6M

• Fleet value: $115M

City of Culver City, Calif., No. 1 in 2013

Initiative 1: Fleet is continuing to explore and work on the electrification of its light-duty vehicles.

Initiative 2: Fleet is initiating a program to start using renewable diesel fuel for the few remaining diesel vehicles in its fleet — mainly fire trucks — with the goal of lowering the city’s carbon footprint.

Shows Leadership By: Continuing to enhance its benchmarking program to include more frequent analysis for productivity and preventive maintenance compliance and also adding more measurements into the program to better ensure goal compliance. Measuring the results in each category allows the fleet to make “fluid” decisions on any changes necessary to meet expectations or improve its goals.

Key Stats:

• Fleet size: 580 units

• Staff: 46

• Facilities: 1

• Operating budget: $8.3M

• Capital budget: $1.2M

• Fueling sites: 4 total (1 CNG, 3 fossil fuel)

City of Mesa, Ariz., No. 1 in 2014

Initiative 1: Fleet staff members are designing two new compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations with the latest equipment. The city’s first investment in CNG began in 1983, and infrastructure dates from that period.

Initiative 2: The fleet is installing new air handlers in each shop to allow technicians to repair and service CNG vehicles without being in danger of large methane discharges. The new equipment will allow technicians to remove any potential methane concentration.

Shows Leadership By: Expanding its warranty recovery program to include all OEMs and aftermarket suppliers, bringing in $350,000 in one year. Fleet expanded its parts consignment program to include virtually all inventory, so the fleet only pays for parts that technicians install on vehicles.

Key Stats:

• Fleet size: 2,000 units 

• Staff: 90

• Service centers: 2

• Shifts: 3 (24/7)

• Fuel sites: 7

• Operating budget: $28M

• Capital budget: $11M

City of Boise, Idaho, No. 1 in 2015

Initiative 1: Fleet earned the CLEANFleet and Fleet Masters operation certifications this past year, proving a commitment to environmental sustainability and running an efficient operation.

Initiative 2: The Fleet Services division partnered with the Public Works Department’s Environmental division to secure funding for four plug-in electric vehicles. The proceeds were generated from a compressed natural gas (CNG) tax rebate associated with the city’s contract refuse hauler.

Shows Leadership By: Providing fleet management information system data to help inform the capital improvement program process as it relates to future vehicle replacement planning. This effort reduced the vehicle replacement budget by $750,000.

Key Stats:

• Fleet size: 1,500 units

• Technicians: 14

• Fuel consumed annually: 452,300 gallons

• Miles traveled annually: 5M+

• Fleet replacement value: $60M