The number of fleets with service vans increased significantly in 2023 to 47%, up from 36% in 2022, according to the 331 service truck industry professionals surveyed by VMAC. Fleets with six to 25 vans saw the most significant spike in van adoption, increasing from 6% to 21%, year over year.

Digging deeper into the study results, more than half represented U.S. fleets. 

“VMAC has been monitoring the industry’s predictions about the van market for years and finally we’re seeing the increase in demand in the data,” said Mike Pettigrew, VMAC’s marketing manager. “Rightsizing is a priority in the industry, as oversized vehicles come with higher price tags, increased operating and fuel costs, and maneuverability challenges in narrow streets and tight spaces.” 

When asked if they anticipate the number of service vans in their fleet to increase, decrease, or stay the same, survey respondents almost unanimously agreed (97%) that the number would increase or remain the same. Only 3% of respondents expect a decrease in the number of service vans in their fleet.

“The industry data has shown consistent van growth in Canada and the United States, and yet VMAC has the only engineered air compressor solution for these service vehicles—the UNDERHOOD40,” Pettigrew noted. “Ford has upfitted their fleet of service vans with UNDERHOOD40s for their mechanics to use when servicing their customers’ fleets. We expect more companies to follow suit and add vans to their fleets in the upcoming year as the benefits of rightsizing will continue to benefit the bottom line in 2024.” 

VMAC 2023 State of the Mobile Compressed Air Survey Highlights

• Most fleets are not interested in converting to alternative fuels any time soon; at the same time, diesel vehicles are dropping in popularity

• Most respondents require under 100 CFM and 120-149 psi for their service trucks

• Above-deck gas driven air compressors are the most popular and desired system

• Fewer businesses are reporting COVID-19’s negative impacts

• 64% of respondents are affected by rising costs of materials, equipment, trucks, freight, and shipping

• Almost half of businesses are negatively impacted by increasing interest rates; 74% report increased expenses due to rising rates

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