For public-sector fleets—from city governments to universities and utilities—vehicle inventory is one of the largest budget items. But here’s the kicker: many fleets are operating with more vehicles than they actually need.
Why? Because without the right data, it’s impossible to know which vehicles are being used, underused, or sitting idle. That’s where fleet utilization data becomes a game-changer.
Right-sizing isn’t just a cost-cutting tactic—it’s a strategic way to optimize operations, reduce waste, and boost accountability.
Right-sizing is the process of adjusting your fleet size to match actual usage needs. It means:
Eliminating underutilized or redundant vehicles
Reassigning assets based on usage patterns
Ensuring the right types of vehicles are in the right places
It’s not just about shrinking the fleet—it’s about aligning it with mission-critical demand.
Many public-sector organizations continue to assign vehicles departmentally or “just in case,” leading to:
Increased capital and depreciation costs
Higher maintenance and fuel spend
Poor vehicle turnover rates
Unjustified expansion of fleet staff or garage resources
Example:
A 300-vehicle fleet cutting just 10% of unused assets could save hundreds of thousands annually in vehicle lifecycle costs alone.
Without data, it’s all guesswork. With it, you can confidently answer:
How often is each vehicle used?
Who is using it, when, and for what?
Are there seasonal usage patterns or departmental gaps?
FleetCommander, for example, provides:
Automated utilization reports by vehicle, class, or department
Heat maps and dashboards showing time-of-day demand
Idle vehicle tracking for underused assets
Vehicle class substitution reports to identify overlap
Use a motor pool model to create shared access, then track who books what, when, and how often.
Look at booking frequency, trip length, idle time, and seasonal patterns. Benchmark usage thresholds (e.g. 30–40%+).
Spot where one class of vehicle can cover multiple needs. Use substitution data to consolidate assets.
Start with low-use vehicles. Monitor complaints, utilization strain, or booking conflicts post-removal.
Use cost savings for electric vehicles, preventative maintenance, or updated reservation technology.
Adapt Integrated Health reduced projected fleet size by 55% using utilization analytics across four counties.
Forsyth County, GA saved over $800,000 by eliminating unused vehicles and introducing data-driven vehicle sharing.
Multiple government clients reduced personal mileage reimbursements after transitioning from assigned vehicles to pooled systems.
If you don’t know which vehicles are being used—and how often—you’re flying blind. Utilization data doesn’t just help you cut costs. It helps you plan smarter, serve your community better, and justify decisions with confidence.