Recent events, notably inflation and the limited ability of leasing companies to ensure access to new trucks, have undermined the appeal of leasing fleet vehicles, as fleet execs like Ernest Addington balk at the imposition of “forever” costs.

“When you’re leasing, it’s ongoing ‘forever’ dollars,” says Addington, COO of Halifax Linen Service, Roanoke Rapids, NC. “It’s just a revolving door of revolving spend that you don’t have when you buy your trucks…You have the initial capital investment to buy the fleet. But if you manage it correctly, then you know whatever parameters you put in place for your fleet, whether ...