A newly released industry survey indicates that electric vehicle adoption remains a low priority for many service fleet operators despite continued investment across the commercial EV market.
According to the 2026 State of the Mobile Compressed Air Industry Report from VMAC, fewer than six percent of respondents said they plan to purchase electric vehicles, a figure that has changed little from the previous year.
The report is published annually and draws on feedback from a wide range of industry professionals, including business owners, mechanics, fleet managers and service truck upfitters. The findings provide insights into fleet management trends, technology preferences, mobile compressed air requirements and market conditions, supporting data-driven decision-making across the compressed air and service vehicle industries.
The report suggested that practical operating requirements continue to shape purchasing decisions for fleets working in demanding service environments.
Among survey participants, range limitations were the most common concern, cited by 67 percent of respondents. Charging time followed at 57 percent, while 55 percent pointed to charging infrastructure availability as a key challenge. Vehicle cost was identified by 49 percent of respondents, and 37 percent cited reliability concerns. Additional issues included cold-weather performance, access to remote jobsites, and compatibility with service truck upfits.
“Electrification will continue to be an important part of the commercial vehicle industry, but adoption has to align with the operational realities of the work being performed,” said Mike Pettigrew, Marketing Manager, VMAC.
He continued: “For service fleets, the decision is ultimately about whether a vehicle can reliably support the full workday, including driving to remote jobsites and powering auxiliary equipment and the tools technicians depend on. The industry will move toward electrification as the technology and supporting infrastructure demonstrate they can consistently meet those requirements.”
The report noted that service vehicles often face operating conditions that differ significantly from passenger vehicles. Many fleets travel long distances to remote locations, carry specialized equipment, and depend on onboard power systems to complete fieldwork.
As a result, fleet managers continue to evaluate emerging vehicle technologies based on real-world duty cycles and operational requirements rather than adoption targets alone.
The broader survey also found that service trucks and vans remain central to mobile operations, with more than 76 percent of respondents operating those vehicle types. Fleet operators reported continuing to balance productivity, reliability, operating costs, and long-term asset utilization when making equipment decisions.
VMAC is a manufacturer of mobile compressed air systems headquartered in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. Founded more than 40 years ago, the company develops compact compressed air and mobile power solutions for service fleets and field service professionals throughout North America and international markets.
For more information, visit www.vmacair.com. To download the full report, visit www.vmacair.com/survey.