The inaugural Fleet Manager Outlook Survey, conducted by Automotive Fleet and Work Truck, offers a timely snapshot of the fleet industry in 2025. With insights from 73 fleet professionals across a wide range of sectors, the report highlights the top priorities, challenges, and operational shifts facing today’s fleet managers.

Top Priorities for Fleet Managers

Safety remains paramount. According to the survey, 70% of respondents cite fleet and driver safety as their #1 concern. Close behind, 66% are focused on cost containment. Other key priorities include:

  • Optimizing fleet utilization (40%)

  • Sustainability and carbon reduction initiatives (24%)

These figures reflect a dual focus: protecting drivers while navigating an increasingly cost-intensive market.

Pressing Challenges for the fleet industry in 2025

Fleet managers are contending with a range of operational stressors:

  • Driver compliance with fleet policies (47%)

  • Escalating new vehicle pricing (44%)

  • Ongoing fleet safety concerns (36%)

  • Rising parts and maintenance costs (32%)

  • Vehicle downtime (26%)

One challenge notably absent from the survey’s top rankings—but increasingly critical—is lifecycle planning.

During the pandemic, many fleets responded to supply chain shortages and soaring acquisition costs by extending vehicle lifecycles. That strategy continues for the fleet industry in 2025, as high new-vehicle pricing and elevated parts costs persist. But aging fleets can’t run indefinitely. Vehicles are now reaching repair thresholds where costs approach—or exceed—resale value.

Alliance Fleet Solutions helps clients navigate this inflection point by ranking each unit based on its projected risk, cost-to-value ratio, and total cost of ownership. The result: smarter replace-or-repair decisions that reduce risk, downtime, and overspending.

Shifts in Sustainability Goals

Sustainability remains on the radar, but priorities are shifting. Nearly half (48%) say fleet electrification is less urgent in 2025 than in previous years. Another 36% say their strategy remains unchanged, while only 16% plan to increase focus.

Additionally, 47% of fleet professionals are reassessing their sustainability timelines. Some are dramatically scaling back, while others are adjusting targets without formally reducing goals.

Budget Stability in an Unstable Environment

Despite the cost pressures, 52% of survey respondents report stable budgets compared to 2024. Thirty percent saw budget increases, while 18% faced cuts. Still, 62% of fleet professionals say their jobs are more challenging than in previous years—highlighting the need for tools, training, and strategic support.

Tech Adoption: Cameras Lead the Way

When asked about emerging technologies, 51% of fleet professionals named camera and video telematics as their top area of interest. Other high-impact tech under consideration includes:

  • Predictive analytics

  • Fleet maintenance tracking

  • Advanced telematics systems

Fleet leaders are clearly seeking smarter ways to reduce downtime, enhance safety, and track performance in real time.

What Keeps Fleet Managers Up at Night?

In open-ended responses, six themes emerged:

  • Rising Costs & Budget Pressures

  • Accident Liability & Safety Concerns

  • Compliance & Emissions Regulations

  • Staffing Shortages

  • Supply Chain Volatility

  • Administrative Overload

These concerns paint a clear picture: fleet managers are juggling high expectations with limited time, tools, and staff support.

The Path Forward: Smarter Strategy, Fractional Support

Today’s challenges require more than a reactive approach—they demand clear planning, operational insight, and access to data that drives better decisions.

Alliance Fleet Solutions supports small and mid-sized businesses with fractional fleet management. That means expert guidance, without the overhead of a full-time hire.

Our Q1 2025 Fleet Trends Report reveals that:

  • Repair costs are up 5% year-to-date

  • Fuel volatility continues

  • Tariffs are pushing vehicle prices even higher

Through our PerformaX Essentials program, business owners gain access to:

  • Lifecycle planning tools

  • Preventive maintenance programs

  • ASE-certified repair oversight

  • Real-time cost tracking and fleet reviews

Summary

The 2025 Fleet Manager Outlook Survey reveals a landscape defined by safety priorities, cost containment, and operational complexity. But beneath the headlines lies a growing need for lifecycle planning, smarter strategy, and mentorship—especially for resource-strapped teams.

With the right support, fleets don’t just survive uncertainty. They outperform it.

Get Your Copy: Alliance Fleet Solutions Q1 Report for Fleet Managers

Q1 2025 Fleet Survival Guide for Small Businesses

Q1 2025 brought rising repair costs, volatile fuel prices, and new tariffs that are driving up fleet expenses for small businesses. Many are facing tight budgets and delayed financing, making it harder to manage vehicle needs proactively. PerformaX Essentials helps owners regain control with expert fleet oversight, cost tracking, and preventive maintenance—all without hiring a full-time manager. It’s a smarter, leaner way to stay ahead of fleet challenges in a high-pressure market.