Vehicle Replacement Forms

Just like last year we have started the planning process for FY24 replacement vehicles earlier than usual. We recently emailed forms to the Administrative Contact for those vehicles scheduled to be replaced as well as those vehicles that we decided to extend the life of rather than replace. Those forms are due back to Fleet Services at the latest on Wednesday, April 26^th. If you misplaced the forms and need another set, just let us know and we can email them to you.

This is normally not the time of year we start planning our new vehicle orders for the coming year but we are not in normal times. Manufacturers’ ordering windows will open early this year and we need to be ready so we are able to secure the necessary vehicles.

Fleet Services Biofuel Update – E15 and B20

B20 Diesel fuel is coming in the next load that gets delivered, likely before the end of the month. Similar to the switch from E-10 to E-15, we will soon be switching our Diesel fuel blend increasing the percent of biofuel to 20%. 20% bio will be the maximum bio percentage with the blend being adjusted in winter months.

April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

One thing we’d like everyone to know is that distracted driving is just as dangerous drunk driving. In 2021, 3,522 lives were lost as a result of distracted driving. What is distracted driving? It can involve anything that takes your attention away from the road, like talking on the phone, texting, eating, or even just fiddling with the radio. Much like drunk driving, distracted driving can also impair your ability to drive safely by slowing your reaction time and making it difficult to focus on the road. If you need to talk on the phone, pull over to a safe location. If you need to change the radio, wait until you are stopped at a red light. Just remember, you cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Check out this link to the NHTSA’s page with more information and the link where you can take the pledge to not drive distracted. If you have children or a partner, ask them to take the pledge also!

How Autonomous Vehicles See the Road

Manufacturers like Tesla, Ford, GM, and others are developing their next generations of advanced driver assist systems. These systems are very technical and already allow handsfree or automated driving on public roads in certain circumstances. So, how does one of these systems actually work? Manufacturers use cameras, short- and long-range radars, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors, advanced computing systems, and some sort of driver attention system to monitor the driver’s head position and/or eyes to help ensure driver attention. In GM’s case specifically, these systems work together through what they call “sensor fusion” to provide Ultra Cruise with a 360-degree, three-dimensional representation of the vehicle’s surroundings. It is some very fascinating technology they are developing. Check out the article from Automotive Fleet with more in depth information about how the GM system works.

Need to Add a Vehicle?

If you think you are going to need an additional assigned vehicle, even just as a short-term lease for the summer, please contact Mike immediately. We are expecting manufacturers to open their ordering windows for new vehicles soon so now is the time let us know.

Fleet Factoid

Vehicles equipped with a push-button start ignition system are more secure and harder to steal than traditional keyed vehicles. With a push-button start key fob your vehicle’s ignition won’t start until it receives a signal from its paired key fob. This makes stealing a vehicle very difficult without specialized equipment and technical knowledge of how the systems work. Read more from Car and Driver about the pros and cons of push-button starts.