Audit: Indy-Vision Fleet Deal Poorly Executed
A new report from the Indianapolis Office of Audit and Performance faults the then-mayor Greg Ballard's administration for its poorly executed plan to lease 425 electric vehicles through Vision Fleet.
A new report from the Indianapolis Office of Audit and Performance faults then-mayor Greg Ballard's administration for its poorly executed plan to lease 425 electric vehicles through Vision Fleet.
The deal lacked the controls needed to ensure the program's effectiveness, even though the electric vehicle program appears to embody the best interests of the city, according to the audit. City Council members are again looking into the contract, according to Fox59.
Ballard first signed the executive order in 2012, planning to have all 425 vehicles on the road by early 2016. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids started rolling out in 2014, but the order was met with conflict, most notably from Indianapolis City Council who criticized Ballard for signing the contract without consulting the council. The city was able to negotiate a new contract last December, lowering the leases from seven or eight years to four years and adding incentives for the city.
The Office of Audit and Performance looked at five contracts and one amendment between the city and Vision Fleet signed in 2014 and 2015. The report concluded that many terms were not clear within the contract, which makes performance difficult to verify and, therefore, ineffective.
The Vision Fleet deal goes through the city's Department of Public Works. However, the city lacks a centralized fleet manager, which left to each department to manage its own vehicles. The audit also noted problems within the cost structure, leaving no incentive for customer departments to use the vehicles efficiently.
Another part of the deal allows the city to receive vehicle utilization data from Vision Fleet. However, the audit noted that, with Vision Fleet in control of the data and no performance measures specified, there's no way to ensure the data received is valid or complete.
"It incentivizes Vision Fleet to supply data that is advantageous to its own reputation and profitability," according to the audit.
Read the full audit here.
More Operations

Is Keeping Older Fleet Vehicles Really Saving Money?
Is keeping vehicles longer saving money, and what happens when a diagnostic test points to the wrong fix?
Read More →
How Smart Fleet Strategy Can Help Local Government Agencies Do More with Less
Keeping a vehicle longer may ease this year’s budget, but what does it cost the next one? A closer look at fleet decisions can reveal opportunities to reduce spending while protecting essential services.
Read More →
Connect with Government Fleet on LinkedIn
From industry news and fleet management strategies to conversations with peers, Government Fleet's LinkedIn page offers public-sector fleet professionals another way to stay informed and connected.
Read More →
Town of Queen Creek Named Most Successful Fleet Award Winner of Inaugural RTA Fleet Success Awards
Five fleets were honored at RTA Connect 2026 in Chicago for excellence across resource efficiency, intentional culture, risk management, and stakeholder satisfaction.
Read More →
A buyer's guide to fleet management software in 2027
Buying fleet management software in 2027 means looking beyond features and price. As fleet operations, technology and expectations evolve, this guide explores what today’s fleet professionals should consider when choosing a system that can deliver value now and adapt to what comes next.
Read More →
Hazard Alerts, Fleet Car Sales Rise and a New Shuttle Concept
Fleet car sales doubled, but the bigger picture tells a different story in this week’s roundup.
Read More →
How St. Johns County Turned Fleet Data Into Better Replacement Decisions
St. Johns County, Florida, had fleet data, but turning it into reliable decision guidance was another matter. Instead of starting over with a new fleet management system, the county connected existing tools and built a scoring system that gives managers an objective look at fleet health.
Read More →
Fleet Forward Conference Introduces One-Day Passes for 2026
New one-day registration lets fleet professionals attend Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, with passes available for $249.
Read More →
ENC Unveils its ZAVIR Medium-Duty Shuttle
Two variants of the concept shuttles were revealed: a low-floor configuration and a high-floor configuration.
Read More →
Could Your Next Fleet Technician Start as an Intern?
What if your next technician hasn’t worked in a fleet shop yet? What fleets are doing to free up time.
Read More →

