GF Blue logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Research Profile

What does an average fleet consist of? What are commonly outsourced services, and how do fleets remarket their vehicles? Explore this and other statistics in this fleet overview section, which includes responses from more than 200 surveyed fleets.

by Staff
September 28, 2012
Research Profile

Seventeen percent of respondents reported an increase in budget, while 67% reported a decreased budget. Fleet managers cited rising fuel costs more than any other factor as the reason for their increased budgets. Other factors identified include higher maintenance costs due to aging vehicles, increased labor costs, and additional work through insourcing. One reason cited for reduced costs is improved efficiencies.


1 min to read


Seventeen percent of respondents reported an increase in budget, while 67% reported a decreased budget. Fleet managers cited rising fuel costs more than any other factor as the reason for their increased budgets. Other factors identified include higher maintenance costs due to aging vehicles, increased labor costs, and additional work through insourcing. One reason cited for reduced costs is improved efficiencies.


Information for this overview of the public fleet industry comes from the 2012 Government Fleet Industry Profile survey, which had more than 200 responses. City fleets comprise nearly half of all fleets surveyed, and more than a quarter of fleets service areas of less than 50,000 people.

Some highlights from this section: Budgets have increased for 17% of fleets who responded, mostly due to increased fuel costs and increased labor costs, but also, in one case, to increased fleet size due to an insourcing contract. The most commonly outsourced service is body and paint work, with 86% of fleets reporting they send out this type of work. Finally, use of in-house and local auctions are tied in use with online auctions for remarketing, and many fleets opt for both methods.

Ad Loading...

From tool allowances to common customer departments, GF compiled a profile of the average fleet operation based on survey respondents and broke down data based on population size, agency type, and fleet size.

Click here for a PDF of this article.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Operations

an horse drawn ambulance and modern ambulance with an American flag overlay and the words Americas Fleet Evolution
Operationsby Jeanny AbrahamJuly 2, 2026

How Government Fleets Helped Build America

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, this look back explores how government fleets evolved from horse-drawn wagons to specialized vehicles that keep communities running today.

Read More →
A graphic for the Government Fleet cheat sheet.
OperationsJuly 2, 2026

Fleet History, Long-Term Maintenance, and Fleet Needs | GovCast Cheat Sheet

Public fleet work has changed dramatically, but the core responsibility remains the same: keeping communities moving.

Read More →
A youtube graphic for the government fleet dispatch.
SponsoredJuly 1, 2026

Recognizing Progress, Leadership in Fleets | The June Dispatch

Catch up on the past month, whether you're interested in GFX news or Government Fleets' go-to articles for your operation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Promotional graphic for a Utilimarc guide titled Beyond Utilization Rates: How Data-Driven Fleets Are Rethinking Vehicle Replacement, featuring a report cover with fleet vehicles, key benefits, and a call-to-action to download the guide.
SponsoredJuly 1, 2026

Beyond Utilization Rates: Smarter Fleet Replacement Decisions

Vehicle replacement decisions affect every aspect of fleet performance, from operating costs to asset availability. This guide explores how fleet leaders use integrated data, benchmarking, and lifecycle analytics to determine the right fleet size and optimize replacement timing with greater confidence.

Read More →
GovCast podcast graphic.
OperationsJune 29, 2026

Talking Success, Leadership, and Fleet Needs

A perspective on the future of fleet management, the lessons learned about building strong teams in the public sector, and how to carry forward the department’s strategic direction.

Read More →
GovCast podcast graphic.
OperationsJune 29, 2026

Proactive Approaches to Fleet Management Challenges with Erinn DeJonge

In this episode, we put the spotlight on the professional journey of Erinn DeJonge, CAFM, who brings a wealth of experience to her role as the fleet business operations manager at Sarasota County Government.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A graphic of fleetgap workshops and fleet images.
Operationsby Nichole OsinskiJune 26, 2026

The FleetGap Initiative: Transitioning from Military to Civilian Fleet Roles

FleetGap is working to build the missing bridge between service members preparing for civilian careers and fleet employers facing workforce shortages.

Read More →
a GRAPHIC OF A TABLET WITH a VEHICLE AND GF LOGO.
Operationsby Nichole OsinskiJune 23, 2026

How Government Fleets Are Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Practical Decisions

Public sector fleets are using connected technology to improve visibility, but the bigger challenge is building the processes to act on the information it provides.

Read More →
A RoadFlex graphic for fleets.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseJune 16, 2026

RoadFlex Brings Fuel Tax Compliance and Audit-Ready Reporting to Government, Public Works Fleets

New capabilities aim to help public-sector and public works fleets streamline fuel tax exemptions, reclamation, reconciliation, and audit-ready reporting.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
2026 public fleet hall of fame inductees
Eventsby Staff WriterJune 10, 2026

2026 Public Fleet Hall of Fame Inductees Honored

This year's class includes leaders whose work has helped shape the public fleet industry.

Read More →