Assessing Campus Fleet Efficiency for Universities and Colleges

The role of a facilities manager on a university campus is continually changing. From routine maintenance and grounds care to infrastructure support and campus safety, teams must deliver reliable service while managing costs and meeting sustainability targets.

As campuses expand and operational pressures increase, many institutions are reassessing whether their current vehicle fleets are aligned with real-world demands.

Reviewing How Campus Vehicles Are Deployed

Facilities teams often rely on shared or assigned vehicles to transport staff, tools, and equipment across campus. Over time, this can result in fleets that are larger, more complex, or more expensive than necessary.

Facilities teams should consider:

• How frequently vehicles are shared or left idle
• Whether tools and materials are transported efficiently
• Where operational or cost efficiencies may exist

These insights form the foundation of a more effective fleet strategy.

Full-Size Vehicles vs Utility Vehicles: Total Cost of Ownership

Comparing TCO for Campus Vehicle Fleets

Understanding total cost of ownership (TCO) is essential when assessing fleet performance. This includes not only upfront vehicle costs, but also long-term expenses such as fuel or energy, maintenance, servicing, and downtime.

In many higher-education environments, compact utility vehicles are better suited to daily campus tasks than traditional full-size vehicles—often delivering the same capability at a lower overall cost.

Using Fleet Data to Drive Smarter Decisions

Now is the time to review fleet performance and consider working with a partner that can help optimise vehicle usage across campus. By analysing a small set of data points—such as utilisation rates, maintenance spend, and task requirements—institutions can make informed decisions about vehicle replacement and deployment.

This approach also supports sustainability planning, particularly when evaluating the transition to electric vehicles.

Electric Utility Vehicles and Sustainability Benefits

As staff roles evolve and campus priorities shift, a fleet audit can help determine how utility vehicles are best utilised. In many cases, electric utility vehicles offer a significantly lower total cost of ownership than full-size vans or pickups.

Cost savings can allow institutions to replace a single large vehicle with multiple smaller utility vehicles—improving operational coverage while supporting environmental objectives.

Electric vehicles also contribute to substantial reductions in carbon emissions, helping universities meet long-term sustainability and net-zero goals.

The Value of a Comprehensive Fleet Audit

A structured fleet audit enables estates teams to:

• Reduce operating and maintenance costs
• Improve vehicle utilisation and availability
• Lower carbon emissions
• Align fleet strategy with institutional priorities

A fleet audit from Club Car provides clear, data-driven recommendations to help universities create more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective campus fleets.