🚛 Navigating Fleet Industry Challenges: Insights from Episode 166 of The Fleet Success Show

Fleet management has never been an easy job, but today’s landscape makes it feel like you’re steering through a minefield of shifting regulations, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and skyrocketing costs. In our latest episode of The Fleet Success Show, Marc Canton and I sat down with Mike Kastner, Senior Vice President of NTEA, to unpack the challenges facing fleet managers in 2024. From electrification mandates to looming tariffs and persistent theft issues, the conversation covered it all—and trust me, it’s an episode you don’t want to miss.

Whether you’re dealing with vehicle procurement headaches, policy uncertainty, or the ever-growing pressure to electrify, this article dives deeper into the most pressing topics discussed during our conversation. Plus, I’ll share how RTA’s consulting team can help you prepare for whatever comes next.

Watch the full episode here:

The Reality of Constant Change

 Fleet managers today face a whirlwind of ever-changing policies, with mandates shifting based on political cycles and regulatory pressures. Mike highlighted how fleets are expected to make multi-decade procurement decisions, only to have policy frameworks change with the next election. Imagine planning for a 20-year fleet lifecycle, only to have fuel regulations reversed halfway through your budget cycle. It’s not just frustrating—it’s paralyzing.

Adding to the confusion, the push for electrification (which we’ll cover later) often lacks alignment between federal, state, and local mandates. As a fleet manager, you need clarity, not conflicting deadlines that could put your operations at risk.

This is exactly why having a strategic partner matters—someone who can help you interpret new policies and adjust plans in real time. RTA’s consulting team is here to provide that guidance.

Electrification: The Hype vs. Reality

Electrification dominates industry headlines, but as Mike pointed out, the reality is far more complicated. Light-duty EVs may be seeing success in certain applications, but heavier-duty vehicles face significant hurdles—ranging from battery limitations to infrastructure readiness. Mike emphasized that pushing fleets toward EV adoption without adequate charging infrastructure is like planning a cross-country road trip without gas stations.

Fleet managers must consider not just the upfront vehicle cost but also total lifecycle expenses, operational downtime for charging, and maintenance nuances unique to electric vehicles. Blindly rushing into EV adoption without this foresight could jeopardize operational reliability.

✅ Need help evaluating your fleet’s electrification potential? RTA’s consulting team can conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis and develop an actionable implementation roadmap tailored to your operations.

The Persistent Problem of Fleet Theft

Catalytic converter theft may seem like an old issue, but it’s far from resolved. With the precious metals inside fetching high prices, thieves continue to target fleet vehicles, often leaving companies with massive repair costs and unexpected downtime.

Mike shared examples of fleets being repeatedly targeted, despite security measures. Simple solutions like improved parking lot lighting and catalytic converter cages can help, but they aren’t foolproof. Proactive fleet managers should explore comprehensive security audits to mitigate these risks.

At RTA, we help fleets evaluate their vulnerabilities and implement practical theft-prevention strategies that go beyond the basics. Don’t let criminals derail your operations—be proactive

Why the Supply Chain Struggles Aren’t Over

If you thought supply chain disruptions were behind us, think again. Since the pandemic began, fleets have grappled with delays in chassis availability, parts shortages, and volatile material prices. Mike explained how these issues have persisted thanks to global unrest, logistical bottlenecks, and inflationary pressures.

For fleet managers, this means longer wait times for new vehicles and skyrocketing maintenance costs when parts aren’t readily available. We’re also seeing a ripple effect in equipment upfitting, causing further delays. If you’re not factoring these variables into your procurement strategy, you could be left without the vehicles you need to meet operational demands.

✅ RTA’s experts can help you build a more resilient supply chain strategy, ensuring you’re better prepared for future disruptions.

Brace Yourself: Tariffs Could Wreck Your Budget

Steel and aluminum tariffs are looming—and the potential consequences for fleets are severe. Mike highlighted how a 50% spike in steel costs could cripple fleet budgets, particularly for companies planning major vehicle replacements or equipment purchases.

Fleet managers should be actively reviewing procurement timelines. If you’re sitting on a large order, you may need to expedite purchases before tariffs hit. On the flip side, rushing into a deal without assessing your options could leave you paying inflated prices unnecessarily.

This is exactly where RTA’s consulting team comes in—we’ll analyze your current fleet lifecycle, recommend procurement adjustments, and help you mitigate tariff impacts.

Labor Shortages: The Workforce Crisis No One Can Ignore

Skilled labor shortages continue to plague the fleet industry. Mike noted that finding experienced welders and technicians has become increasingly difficult—an issue compounded by the nationwide push for college degrees over vocational training.

While many industries feel the labor pinch, fleets face a unique challenge: without qualified mechanics, vehicles sit idle. That translates to lost revenue, missed service calls, and increased operational costs. Investing in technician training programs or partnering with trade schools can make a difference—but these solutions require long-term planning.

✅ RTA can help you assess your labor challenges and build strategies to attract and retain skilled workers.

Looking Ahead: How RTA Can Help You Prepare

Fleet managers are expected to anticipate future trends, mitigate risks, and keep operations running smoothly—all while budgets tighten and regulations shift. At RTA Fleet, we understand these pressures firsthand. Our consulting team works with fleets of all sizes to navigate these complexities, optimize operations, and plan for the long term.

Here’s how we can help: 

✅ Evaluate your fleet’s electrification readiness and create a step-by-step plan
✅ Develop procurement strategies that account for tariffs and supply chain disruptions
✅ Conduct security assessments to mitigate theft risks
✅ Build workforce strategies to combat skilled labor shortages
✅ Optimize maintenance programs to control costs and extend asset lifecycles

👉 Need help preparing for what’s next? Let’s talk. Our experts are here to guide you through electrification transitions, supply chain disruptions, and cost-control strategies.
👉 Get in touch with RTA’s consulting team today and let’s build a strategy that keeps you ahead of the curve.