Please note that MC3 and the Technical Response Service do not endorse one vehicle manufacturer or leasing company over any others.
As fleets continue exploring cleaner and more cost-effective transportation solutions, interest in medium-duty alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) continues to grow. From propane and compressed natural gas (CNG) to battery-electric technologies, fleets across the country are adopting alternative fuel trucks to reduce emissions, lower operating costs, and improve sustainability efforts.
One of the most useful resources for researching available alternative fuel trucks is the Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Search Tool. This tool allows users to compare medium- and heavy-duty alternative fuel vehicles by vehicle type, technology, manufacturer, engine platform, or hybrid/conversion system. Fleet managers can filter results for step vans, vocational and cab chassis trucks, tractors, and other vehicle categories. The database currently includes vehicles from model years 2023–2025, making it a helpful starting point for fleets evaluating newer AFV technologies. For reference, below are the results for different truck types:
Step van Vocational/cab chassis Tractor
In addition to identifying available vehicles, fleets may also consider leasing options when transitioning to alternative fuels. Leasing can help reduce upfront capital costs while allowing organizations to test new technologies before fully committing to long-term fleet conversions. Several major fleet leasing providers currently offer alternative fuel vehicle solutions or may be able to source AFVs based on fleet needs. Some companies fleets may consider contacting include:
- Ryder: You may contact Ryder directly via webform.
- Penske: You may contact Penske directly via the “Contact Us” section on the right hand side of the MD Truck Leasing page.
- Enterprise: You may contact Enterprise directly via their Contact Us page.
- Merchants Fleet: You may contact Merchants Fleet directly via their Contact Us webform.
Fleets are encouraged to contact these companies directly to inquire about available vehicle classes, fuel technologies, maintenance support, infrastructure guidance, and leasing terms. If you are a company that would like to be included in this list – please contact us.
For fleets interested in real-world examples of alternative fuel adoption, the AFDC Case Studies Database provides numerous fleet success stories and operational insights. These case studies highlight how organizations across different industries have implemented alternative fuel trucks and the benefits they experienced.
- Propane Bakery Delivery Step Vans: Alpha Baking deployed 22 propane step vans to replace diesel trucks and selected Penske Truck Leasing to serve as the maintenance service provider.
- Electric Refrigeration Translates Fuel Burn into Savings for Nonprofit: Meals on Wheels, a nonprofit that delivers meals for seniors in the Portland metropolitan area, powers their transport refrigeration units with electricity.
- Baltimore-Based Bakery Launches Fleet of Propane-Powered Delivery Trucks: H&S Bakery transitioned part of its medium-duty delivery fleet to propane, achieving lower fuel and maintenance costs and reliable day-to-day performance with the help of state incentives and onsite fueling.
- South Florida Furnishing Retailer Relies on Natural Gas: In 2014, City Furniture began converting their delivery fleet to CNG and as of 2016 their fleet was 68% CNG vehicles.
As alternative fuel technologies continue to expand, medium-duty fleets have increasing opportunities to explore cleaner transportation options through purchasing or leasing arrangements. Resources such as the AFDC vehicle search and case study databases can help fleets evaluate available technologies, compare operational experiences, and identify solutions that best fit their transportation needs.
Developing Take-Home EV Charging Policies for Municipal Fleets
As municipal fleets continue adopting electric vehicles (EVs), many organizations are developing policies for employees who take fleet EVs home. It’s important to note that many fleets are still working through the challenges with take-home EV policies, including tax considerations, insurance and liability, and cost reimbursement.
Several organizations and industry resources provide examples and best practices for developing take-home EV charging policies:
- The State of Colorado’s 2022 EV Take-Home Policy for Fleets outlines employee eligibility, reporting requirements, costs, and operational procedures for take-home EVs.
- Clean Air Partnership’s Model EV Employee Policy provides a sample framework covering policy purpose, operations, employee responsibilities, and continual improvement practices.
- Geotab offers guidance on reimbursement methods, home charging infrastructure, and electricity cost calculations.
- Blink Charging discusses adapting existing take-home vehicle policies for EVs and determining employee charging readiness.
- Automotive Fleet explains reimbursement options and methods for comparing home and public charging costs.
- MoveEV summarizes state reimbursement laws that may affect employer responsibilities for home charging expenses.
Some companies, including MoveEV, also offer reimbursement management services designed specifically for fleet EV home charging programs. You may refer to MoveEV’s ReimburseEV service. This data was complied by Technical Response Service. Please note that the MC3 and Technical Response Service does not endorse any service provider over another.
Overall, best practices for take-home EV policies include establishing clear reimbursement procedures, defining employee responsibilities, ensuring accurate charging data tracking, and addressing insurance and legal considerations before program implementation.
