Fleet operators across North America entered 2026 facing what industry analysts describe as one of the most uncertain equipment planning environments in recent memory. The seventh annual State of Sustainable Fleets report, released at the ACT Expo in May, found that tariff disruptions, federal regulatory reversals, and a prolonged freight recession have suppressed new vehicle orders across every drivetrain category.
Federal policy changes played a central role in reshaping fleet strategy. The rollback of greenhouse gas vehicle standards, the expiration of commercial zero-emission vehicle tax credits worth up to $40,000 per medium- and heavy-duty unit, and the nullification of California's clean truck regulations left procurement teams without the policy clarity they had relied on in prior years. Despite these headwinds, more than $5 billion in clean vehicle funding continues to flow annually from state, local, and utility programs through 2028.
Natural gas vehicles emerged as a clear near-term winner. The Cummins X15N natural gas engine completed its first full commercial year with 71% of operators reporting cost savings over diesel. Battery-electric medium-duty registrations climbed 21% in 2025. Propane use expanded steadily, with school districts across 49 states now operating more than 23,000 propane-powered buses.
Artificial intelligence adoption is also reshaping daily fleet operations, with 48% of fleet managers now using AI tools for route planning, maintenance diagnostics, and preventive scheduling. Autonomous trucking pilots from Volvo and Kodiak have advanced beyond testing phases into commercial freight operations. Fleet operators and service providers looking to document these operational improvements for clients can find resources on fleet management video training at relyoncontent.com.
Source: FreightWaves -- https://www.freightwaves.com/news/state-of-sustainable-fleets-2026