Electric Vehicle Leasing & Management

Electric Vehicle Leasing & Management

Are you considering leasing an EV? Merchants Fleet will work with you every step of the way, from acquisition through remarketing. Services include:

  • The Right Vehicle Acquiring for Your Team
  • Customized Financing and Lease Options for both vehicles and EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment)
  • Optimized Upfitting for Safety and Efficiency
  • Comprehensive Service Options
  • Place reservations with manufacturers for future EV models
  • Partner in charging installs, commissioning, and ongoing management

Combine your electric vehicle (EV) fleet management services into one simple package with:

  • Acquisition and Deployment
  • Open and Closed-End Leasing
  • Rentals and Short-Term Leasing
  • Rent-to-Lease
  • Guaranteed Buy and Remarketing
  • Maintenance
  • Charging and Energy Services
  • Telematics and Total Connect
  • Accident Management
  • Title and Registration
  • And More!

List of Brand/Models Available

There’s a great selection of EVs available for fleets from top brands like BMW, BrightDrop (GM), Chevy, Chrysler, Ford, Jeep, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota, and Tesla. Here are a few of our favorites:

 

BrightDrop EV600

The BrightDrop EV600 is a game-changing cargo van with over 600 cubic feet of cargo space. This BEV has a payload of 2,200 pounds and a range of up to 250 miles between charging.

Price: TBA

 

Ford Lightning

With a battery capacity of 115-155 kWh, the Ford Lightning is an environmental upgrade from the F-150 truck. It has many of the same features and ample cargo space but can travel up to 126 miles without needing to charge. The Lightning has a payload capacity of up to 3,200 pounds.

Price: $41,669

 

Ford E-Transit

This cargo van is a versatile fleet vehicle and can be used for a variety of industries. It boasts a battery capacity of 65 kWh, can travel up to 126 without charging, and has a payload capacity of up to 3,200 pounds.

Price: $47,185

 

Chevy Silverado

Not all of the details of the Chevy Silverado are available yet, but it’s estimated to travel up to 400 miles between charging. This truck is a valuable addition to any fleet.

Price: TBA

 

For a complete list of available and coming-soon EVs, check out our new EV Finder tool

Fleet Electrification Adoption

In fleet electrification adoption, the question is “when” rather than “if.” With all the advantages that EVs offer, many fleets are transitioning to electric, and this trend will continue to grow as EVs become more available, reliable, and affordable. Our AdoptEV and specialized fleet consultants are ready to assist your EV adoption on your timeline.

Immediate or Near-Term Transitions

The most common EVs available today are predominantly sedans, cross overs/SUVs, and light-duty vehicles. Organizations that emphasize sustainability or social responsibility have likely either already begun or have completely transitioned to an electric fleet. We’re seeing transitions in industries like utilities, colleges and universities, government agencies, and transportation agencies/transportation network companies.

Long-Term Transitions

In the long-term, we’re expecting to see more electric heavy-duty vehicles as well as EVs that power tools or generators that traditionally have run on diesel. As more charging stations are built, we expect to see fleets with high route variance gain more access to charge. We also expect a growing transition with security or defense companies, since a vehicle of this nature losing its charge can have dire consequences.

Fleet Pilot Programs

Merchants Fleet is proud to be an industry leader in partnering with customers to help them launch fleet pilot programs, add EVs to existing fleets, and install charging depots.

A pilot plan is a trial period for fleet managers to discover how to best incorporate EVs into their fleet. Our team of experienced EV experts will help develop a custom EV adoption plan best suited to meet your organizational goals and needs.

The first step is often identifying which vehicles to test, as this drives vehicle and charging model selection. Testing out the newest EVs will enable fleet managers to have a grasp on the best and most affordable EVs on the market. Fleet managers can identify a subsection of their business – such as the sales or executive fleet – to pilot a handful of EV models as a lead-up to adoption. This offers departments the opportunity to test, learn about, and grow more confident in EV capabilities.

As part of the pilot program, fleet managers will need to learn how to get the most out of their new EV fleet. They’ll need to consider things like planning where and when vehicles will be charged and considering cost and availability of electricity. Collecting data during a pilot program is pivotal to tracking fleet performance and productivity.

Not only have we partnered and succeeded with our clients, but we’ve also adopted EVs ourselves, including the charging infrastructure. Merchants Fleet is at the forefront of the EV charge and is leading by example.

Electric Vehicle Upfitting

We can upfit any electric truck or van model we carry to best suit your needs. We have the engineers and expertise to do so, and the best vendor partners that specialize in EV upfitting. Plus, if you need a specific vehicle that isn’t available as an EV model, we have vendor partners that specialize in EV conversion.

Electric Vehicle Financing, Flexible Terms

Merchants Fleet offers flexible leasing and financing programs with no mileage restrictions, no charges for excess wear and use, and flexible terms. We can provide a comprehensive lease solution that makes sense for your organization. Additionally, we may be able to structure a program where charger costs are offset as part of your fleet program.

We are proud to offer closed-end leasing for EVs. A closed-end lease eliminates your residual risk and provides a transparent fixed monthly payment over the term of the lease. This is a perfect solution for any organization wanting to minimize residual risk while staying budget focused. Whatever your financial goals, you can count on our personalized approach to help determine what you need for your EV fleet leasing and funding.

Electric Vehicle Rental Program

Coming soon! For more information, contact a representative today.

Charging Management

Merchants Fleet provides turnkey solutions to charger installs and ongoing support. In addition to being your charging and install experts, we provide ongoing operational, and maintenance support, tools to find public charging stations, energy management, and much more. Our charging management program includes, but is not limited to:

  • Identify recommending installing and commissioning chargers
  • Deployment and Operations Support
  • Post-Deployment Maintenance and Operations
  • Charging and energy usage optimization
  • Operational Insights and Data
  • Increasing Your Fleet’s Energy Efficiency

Electric Vehicle Fleet Maintenance

Merchants Fleet is here to help you with all your electric vehicle maintenance management needs. We have EV specialized maintenance facilities within our vendor partner network to ensure EVs are properly maintained and serviced. We also make sure your fleet is protected by having EV trained technicians on staff.

TotalConnect and Telematics

Our Consulting Services will help optimize your fleet telematics and increase productivity. In addition to monitoring trip data, driver behavior, vehicle systems information, and more, we can also provide real-time and saved snapshots to help you manage expenses, utilization, productivity, compliance, and safety.

Safety and Accident Management

The best way to save on insurance premiums and minimize liability is to reduce the number of accidents your drivers are in. Incorporating driver safety training can help keep your drivers safe and your fleets operating efficiently. Merchants can provide you with custom tools or a comprehensive program to prioritize driver safety and reduce accidents. Implementing a driver safety training and fleet policy can decrease your insurance premium and help save you money.

You can obtain motor vehicle records and accident history checks to understand the risk levels of each driver. We can help you implement trigger-based training that is assigned to each driver at the appropriate time. By utilizing fleet data, we can help you measure the risk of accidents before they happen.

Regulatory Compliance

Merchants Fleet helps you stay in compliance with all Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) regulations. We offer the following regulatory compliance options so you can stay informed and protected:

  • DOT Regulations Compliance
  • Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) Tracking
  • Hours of Service (HOS) for ELD Compliance
  • Driver Qualification Management

EV Remarketing

Merchants Fleet offers two fleet remarketing options, GuarenteeBUY and Multi-Channel Remarketing. Both options are available for individual vehicles or entire fleets, and you’ll have an expert team working to get the most money possible for your vehicles. With these programs, you will reduce residual risk on your vehicles and maximize your vehicle return.

GuaranteeBUY
The GuaranteeBUY program offers you a guaranteed price for your vehicles. After a vehicle assessment, our remarketing experts will utilize their industry experience and marketplace data to determine the value. We handle the whole remarketing process, including any fees associated with inspections or sales.

Multi-Channel Remarketing
Multi-Channel Remarketing will help you find the best deal for your fleet. We remarket your vehicles to over 150 avenues including auctions, retailers, wholesalers, and directly to drivers.

“Since partnering with Merchants Fleet last year, their professional team members have provided excellent service and offered innovative solutions to address our unique needs.  Merchants has proven to be a top-tier fleet management company, exceeding our expectations on all levels.”

“My experience has been one of overwhelming delight. Merchants facilitates the expansion of Novus Ag business possibilities with their experienced professional staff by engaging in supporting activities. Allowing Novus Ag to lease short term vehicles while factory ordering enables us to save tens of thousands while immediately placing the employee in a high-quality truck. From permitting Novus to lease agricultural, material handling assets, to fuel and maintenance programs, we consider them a valuable partner.”

Michael Gates
Corporate Services - Fleet, Novus Ag, LLC

“Floor Coverings International is proud to partner with Merchants Fleet.  Their responsiveness and consultative approach has been beneficial to us and our franchise partners.”

Neil Daley
Director of Merchandising, Floor Coverings International

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of adding EVs to my fleet?

EVs offer a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) for fleets and are one of the fastest ways to hit ESG goals. Additionally, many states have plans in place to completely phase out the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles over the next 10–15 years.

How do I locate a public charging station?

ClearCharge™ Public allows drivers to easily find the nearest charging station and includes turn-by-turn navigation to the destination.

How do I know if transitioning from ICE vehicles to EVs is the right decision for my fleet?

We understand that there’s a lot to consider, which is why we recommend exploring our fleet electrification resources. Just remember that it’s important to educate yourself and gather as much information as possible to learn more about the EV landscape, including makes, models, and related technologies. Here are a few guides to help you get started: Your Guide to ICE vs. EV Maintenance Costs and 8 Steps to Effectively Plan for EV Charging. Remember, Merchants Fleet EV consultants and experts are also available to help answer your questions and help you navigate the ICE vs. EV process.

How much will it cost to add EVs to my fleet?

Specifics will vary based on your exact needs, but Merchants offers flexible leasing and financing programs with no mileage restrictions and no charges for excess wear and use. Zero-risk EV adoptions are also available, contact our team of experts to learn more about what electrification options could work best for your fleet.