Fleet purchase behavior: decision processes and implications for new vehicle technologies and fuels

Abstract

Vehicle¯eets are a poorly understood part of the economy. They are important, though, in that they purchase a large share of light-duty vehicles and are often targeted by governments as agents of change. We investigate¯eet purchase behavior, using focus groups, interviews, and mail and telephone surveys. We categorize¯eets into four di erent decision-making structures (autocratic, bureaucratic, hierarchic, and democratic), determine what share of the market sector each represents, describe salient features of each behavioral model, and explore implications of that behavior for industry investment and public policy. Ó

Assessing customer preferences for hydrogen-powered street sweepers: A choice experiment

“…Similarly, the predominance of bureaucratic decision-making structures is promising in so far as Nesbitt and Sperling [24] argue that bureaucratic decisionmaking fleets (government agencies) have been and will likely continue to be early adopters of alternative fuel vehicles. In general, it seems that the operating parameters and decision-making structures are conducive for the early implementation of HFCVs.…”

“…Nesbitt and Sperling [24] argue that numerous fleet vehicles are commonly fueled at a single location and can therefore be switched to alternative fuels before a public refueling infrastructure is in place. To obtain a better understanding of fleet purchasing behavior, Nesbitt and Sperling developed a classification scheme that classifies fleet management by decision-making structure (autocratic, bureaucratic, hierarchic and democratic) [24]. For example, bureaucratic decision-making is highly formalized and decentralized and is common in (local) government agencies.…”

“…Overall, however, there has been little research on commercial fleets and the corresponding purchasing processes. Nesbitt and Sperling conclude that vehicle fleets are an underexplored and hence poorly understood subject [24]. In addition, the research to date has primarily focused on the USA [25].…”

“…The survey was structured as follows: part one consisted of questions regarding fleet characteristics and vehicle operating practices, while the second part was the choice experiment. To obtain a better understanding of the fleet's purchase decision-making structure, we included the relevant questions (based on Nesbitt's and Sperling's classification scheme [24]). …”

An analysis on long term emission benefits of a government vehicle fleet replacement plan in northern illinois

“…Government fleets have on average higher annual mileage than household vehicles and operate one third of the truck population, which has even higher annual mileage (Oak Ridge National Laboratory 2006). Compared with privately owned vehicles, government fleets are more politically compliant (Nesbitt and Sperling 2001). For example, the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) mandates federal and state government fleet replacement with more fuel-efficient vehicles.…”