The Elite Fleets are former No. 1 operations that continue to improve their fleets and contribute to the industry. The managers of Elite Fleets are often asked to judge awards, including the Leading Fleets award.

In order to stay on top of industry trends, these fleets have implemented initiatives to achieve greener, cleaner, and more efficient fleets and regularly share their knowledge and experience.

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

Initiatives: The fleet is replacing 20-year-old compressed natural gas (CNG) units with compressors that allow the fleet to communicate with the station remotely for preventive maintenance and adjustments. It has also introduced renewable natural gas (RNG) and renewable diesel.

Shows Leadership By: Sharing best practices with the industry. The fleet was visited by fleet management staff from CPS Energy in San Antonio as well as a team of engineers from Vancouver, Canada, and shared information about its alternative fuels and benchmarking programs.

Key Stats:

• Led by: Paul Condran, fleet services manager

• Fleet size: 680

• Staff Size: 45

• Operating Budget: $8.6M

• Miles Traveled Annually: 3.8M 

• Fleet Operators/Users: 450

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

Initiative 1: The fleet formulated a vehicle replacement process that prioritizes vehicles based on highest operational cost and utilization instead of mileage and age.

Initiative 2: In an effort to support the local economy, fleet increased spending with local vendors by 25%.

Shows Leadership By: Continuing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. The fleet reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 10.5%, or 2,497 metric tons, between 2012 and 2017. The fleet transitioned all remaining diesel units to biodiesel and transitioned some biodiesel units to compressed natural gas (CNG).

Key Stats:

• Led by: Pete Scarafiotti, CAFM, CEM, CPFP, fleet director & automotive engineer

• Fleet Size: 2,000

• Staff Size: 100

• Operating Budget: $20M

• Fueling Sites: 7

City of Boise, Idaho, No. 1 in 2015

Initiative 1: Fleet Services augmented its motor pool with three battery-electric vehicles and two hybrid-electric vehicles, as well as charging stations.

Initiative 2: Fleet Services consolidated car wash services citywide. It implemented a procedure that uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags to fully recognize cost per vehicle, provide improved consistency in services, and maintain a cleaner fleet.

Shows Leadership By: Strengthening partnerships within the industry. The fleet formed an Idaho regional fleet group with members from all over the state.

Key Stats:

• Led by: Craig Croner, CPFP, administrative services manager

• Fleet Size: 1,438

• Technicians: 16.5

• Facilities: 7

• Operating Budget: $4.4M

City of Columbus, Ohio, No. 1 in 2016

Initiatives: Since 2009, the fleet has placed over 200 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles into service and opened two public-access CNG fueling stations, with another on the way. With funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Smart City Challenge, the fleet also plans to add 200 electric vehicles (EVs) within the next three years and develop accompanying EV charging infrastructure.

Shows Leadership By: Never being afraid to go first. The city aims to implement the initiatives above as well as a propane program for off-road mowers.

Key Stats: 

• Led by: Kelly Reagan, fleet administrator

• Fleet Size: 6,038

• Staff Size: 132

• Maintenance Facilities: 3

• Operating Budget: $38M

• Capital Budget: $27M

• Miles Traveled Annually: 24.5M