For the first time, trucks account for more than half of all vehicle fuel consumed in the U.S., according to a new study
, “The U.S. Commercial Fleet Market Forecast, 2004 – 2008,” by Havill & Co. Inc.
According to Justin Zohn, Havill senior consultant, the number of trucks on the road has grown at more than twice the rate of the overall vehicle population since the late 1990s. “The tractor population has actually dropped from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, while the number of sport utility vehicles on the road has risen substantially,” Zohn said.
The study series began in 1995. Between the fall of 2004 and spring of 2005 over 1,100 executive telephone interviews were conducted with fleet administrators across the country.
“The concern about rising fuel prices permeates the study. This has heightened the need to find cost savings in virtually every aspect of fleet operations,” Zohn said.
Fuel is only one topic covered in the study. Other topics include: vehicle procurement and leasing; advance vehicle and fuel technologies, including hybrids; onsite and offsite fueling, tires, maintenance, and payment methods; leasing programs; and, fleet administration practices, including safety, insurance, and the use of telematics. The complete study will be published in August 2005.
For more information, go to www.HavillConsultants.com or call 419-841-2244.