Electric Vehicle Adoption in Municipal Fleets: Understanding Resources and Capacity through Performance Benchmarking

• In Event: How Politics and Policy Impact Energy-Related Processes and Outcomes

Abstract

Fleet retrofitting and electrification could potentially save state and local governments up to $7,500 per car and a total of nearly $11 billion in lifetime expenses over the next decade (Public Interest Research Groups, 2023). However, as of 2022, only one percent of the U.S. government fleet consists of electric vehicles (McKinsey and Company, 2022). What factors could best explain electric vehicle (EV) adoption patterns in municipal fleets? This study examines the role of fleet departments’ resources and capacity through a performance benchmarking survey that the authors conducted in collaboration with fleet managers across the state of Texas. This study contributes to the understanding of the transition to low-emission government fleet by bringing fleet managers’ first-hand experiences to the forefront of this discussion. 

Existing literature has discussed factors that influence municipal governments’ uptake of environmental management practices and sustainability measures. Some consistent findings across these studies include the following: first, essential resources – financial, human, and technical – are key components that could shape localities’ overall capacity for environmental governance (Buck, 1996; Smith, 2009; Larson et al., 2017) and influence the effectiveness of their sustainability programs  (Saha, 2009). Second, local government officials play a critical role in managing resources and influencing change and could have a substantial function in sustainability leadership (Honadle, 2001; Wang et al., 2014; Deslatte, 2022). However, none of these studies has examined the role of fleet department resources or fleet managers’ perspectives in local governments’ fleet decarbonization process. 

To address these important gaps, we designed and administered a performance benchmarking survey for about 200 municipal fleet managers in Texas. More specifically, we ask questions including but are not limited to the size and composition of each surveyed fleet, its staff size and operating budget, key metrics regarding operations, maintenance, and fleet replacement policy, as well as fleet managers’ perceptions and prior experience with fleet decarbonization. We then complement our survey data with external data sources – which provides additional information such as surveyed cities’ population, air quality attainment status, city government structure, and others – and conduct in-depth interviews with selected fleet managers. Our preliminary results (using both quantitative and qualitative analysis) provide suggestive evidence that cost savings and operational concerns outweigh sustainability goals when fleet managers make decisions about fleet decarbonization. That said, fleet managers’ past interactions with industry partners – for example, fleet organizations, sustainability advocacy organizations, private consultants, and Council of Government – do seem to influence their perceptions of EVs. This study sheds light on the intricate relationship between public agencies’ operational bottom-line and environmental management practices. The results also provide valuable empirical evidence for the application of Resource-Based View Theory and Resource Dependency Theory in municipal fleet management. 

Author

• Linlang He, University of North Texas
  Presenting Author