There’s more to fleet management than simply getting your clients the vehicles they need. That’s why we have multiple EV adoption options available as part of our one-size-doesn’t-fit-all philosophy to electric vehicles.
Our consulting team can help determine if EVs are right for you through AdoptEV, our EV adoption solution that guides you from concept to execution. We’ve made significant commitments to OEMs, and we’re on the front lines to get vehicle allocations and ensure EV availability for our clients.
It’s no secret that the EV movement is happening, and we’ll be your trusted partner who can help you stay ahead of the curve and achieve both your fleet and sustainability goals. A fleet can make a large impact on sustainability and vehicle operations, and working with a fleet management company is a low-risk way to do that. They are a viable option for your business and total cost of ownership.
Benefits include improved driver behavior, improved customer service, a reduction in accidents, and reduced costs.
Fleet certification isn’t required, but it does demonstrate to customers and employees that you take fleet safety seriously.
The cost will depend on the certifying entity. Some certifications are less than $30 per person while others are thousands of dollars. In many cases, group discounts are available.
The “best” is subjective, but each certification we listed follows local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines. The type of certification you choose will depend on your budget, time commitment, and preferred learning method. You also have the option of obtaining multiple certifications.
While the hardware is powered by advanced technologies, including Machine Vision and Artificial Intelligence, it does require a compatible Geotab telematics device and subscription to operate.
The hardware will natively link with your MyGeotab UI, allowing for simple retrieval of video events through an easy-to-use web portal.
The hardware is equipped with a high-endurance SD card to save your recorded feed in case of poor network connection. A battery backup is also equipped to provide lasting power for parking mode.
The hardware connects with your existing Geotab telematics device to receive a feed of your vehicle and location data.
The transportation, and therefore trucking logistics, industry is constantly evolving, which means today’s pain points might be less so in a few months. But in general, pain points include tracking fuel spend and driver behavior and coordinating and managing trucking scheduling. Supply chain delays have also been a major challenge in recent years.
A fleet management company does not directly handle trucking logistics, but its services and products can be immensely valuable. A FMC will help your business or organization manage the data of fleet operations through innovative software such as TotalView and TotalConnect. Having data-driven analytics at your fingertips is extremely beneficial to streamlining operations and effectively managing logistics.
A trucking logistics company handles contract management and the transportation of goods, whereas a fleet management company works with businesses, organizations, and government entities to oversee and manage all aspects of fleet vehicles, including leasing and funding, maintenance, and fuel management.
Typically an electric vehicle will have fewer maintenance visits than an ICE vehicle, but the number will depend on the make and model. The manufacturer of your electric vehicle should have a recommended maintenance plan, which we encourage you to follow, but if you have any questions, our EV consultants can help.
It depends on the specific make and model and your driving habits, but in general, EVs have lower total maintenance costs over their lifespan.
ChargePoint uses Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates in a formula that derives the gasoline savings from how much energy your charging stations have provided to EVs, which is a measure of how many miles have been driven on electricity instead of gasoline. Here are the estimates used in the calculation:
GHG savings calculations are based on the energy dispensed through each organization’s charging stations. ChargePoint estimates how far an EV can travel using the energy from the stations, calculates the emissions caused by generating this electricity and compares this with the emissions that would be generated by a gas-powered vehicle going the same distance.
Learn more about GHG emissions calculations.
Discounts and benefits include low, guaranteed fixed rates, tax-exempt leasing and registration, and unique lease structure. There are also options for flexible payment terms. Contact our team at Merchants to learn more about specific discounts.
The Preferred Vendor Network is a collection of over 45,000 vendors nationwide who are among the elite service providers in the industry. All preferred vendors receive set payment terms and a payment method, which are selected during the application process and your facility is promoted to our clients in our on-line Vendor Locate tool. If you are working with one of our clients or have been contacted by one and are interested in learning more about the Preferred Vendor Network, please complete our Preferred Vendor Inquiry Form.
You will receive a follow-up email within 3-5 business days advising of any next steps.
It is not required for you to become a preferred vendor; However, we do have some clients that do not allow non-preferred vendors to service their vehicles in which case enrollment would be required to service their vehicles.
No, please just call Merchants Fleet at 877.870.4999 opt. 1 to start a repair order and our team will create a new profile at that time.
Currently, we offer access to the DataServ Vendor Portal to all vendors with designated Preferred Vendor status.
We offer our preferred vendors access to the DataServ Invoice Portal, which provides visibility to all invoices, including the date an invoice was received, and the status of the invoice. If you do not have DataServ access call 877.870.4999 to check your invoice status.
Yes, we will require you to email or fax an invoice to us once work is completed using one of the methods outlined above.
Yes. You would need to enter the vehicle information in Auto Integrate (AI) or call our Maintenance Department for approval. Please call 877.870.4999 Option 1.
A fleet management solution will help keep your business or organization running safely and efficiently. Benefits include reducing operational costs, reducing administrative burden, lowering fleet repair costs, and ensuring the highest level of safety for you and your employees. Plus, even if you own your vehicles, we can help. Merchants Fleet can add fleet management services to help with administration time and manage operational costs. With FleetAssist and our administered maintenance program, our experts take on the day-to-day administration of your fleet, which frees up more of your time.
Merchants Fleet will cover all maintenance over the life of the vehicle — including EVs — through one of our maintenance programs. We have vehicle repair partners throughout the country and will be able to recommend one near you.
In the case of a network outage or other technical issue, the system may temporarily stop transmitting data. However, many telematics systems have offline capabilities, where data can be stored locally until the connection is restored. The system will then transmit the stored data to the server.
There are more than 13 million connected vehicles in the United States, and over 90% of new cars sold include this technology. While it’s easy to estimate that most 2020 MY vehicles and newer are connected capable, we’d be happy to review your fleet and pinpoint which vehicles can take advantage of connected technology and where you still need a legacy telematics plug-in device.
You should consider all of the following costs associated with EVs: financing, charging equipment, installation, operation and maintenance fees, as well as any extended warranty and annual charging network fees. Our team will ensure that there are no surprises, and that you’re taking advantage of tax incentives to reduce your bottom line.
The consulting team is able to help you with every aspect of fleet management, from implementing EVs to improving existing fleet efficiency.
Taking advantage of our title and registration services, license plate processing (including specialty plates), and registration renewals or interstate re-registration will save you time and effort while preparing your vehicles for the road. They’ll ensure your vehicles are properly registered to avoid costly fines.
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.
Closed-end leases and rentals usually have strict stipulations about wear and tear and might not allow for towing and off-road use. However, this will depend on the type and specifics of the lease.
Regardless of the type of lease or rental you choose, make sure you read the terms carefully and ask as many questions as possible. It is important to understand what your responsibility is and what is the lessor’s responsibility.
Short-term and long-term leases are suitable for many situations, but this really depends on your business and how you are using your trucks.
If you are a pest control company that experiences spikes during the summer and less demand during winter, you could benefit from short-term leases during peak months. This will help you save money over a daily rental, while you avoid having vehicles sitting idle.
If your vehicles require a lot of upfitting, you will likely want a longer lease term because you have made a larger investment in customizing your equipment.
Rentals refer to a short-term arrangement. For example, renting from Enterprise for a day, week, or month.
Leasing refers to a longer period of time. For example, Merchants Fleet’s short-term leases start at 3 months, while our long-term leases go up to 7 years.
If you use a rental, you will be paying a premium because of the short term. Lessees might also run into limits on towing or off-road use with a rental, so lessees need to read the terms of their contract carefully. Long-term, open-end leases do not have restrictions on wear and tear, so they are a good option for commercial work trucks.
That depends on your vehicle needs. We recommend browsing our convenient EV finder tool, where you can search by vehicle type, range, price, and more.
The best way to keep track of delivery vehicles while they’re in the field is to utilize connected vehicles that have built-in GPS hardware, and use a solution like TotalConnect to see all of your fleet data in a convenient dashboard.
To better plan for last mile volume fluctuations, businesses can partner with a fleet provider that has an impressive inventory, and provides short-term and long-term lease options and rental options that include nationwide delivery. Merchants Fleet offers an industry-exclusive Rent-to-Lease option so that you never have to miss a route or delivery opportunity.
The last mile problem refers to the common inefficiencies of last mile delivery process.
Common challenges include staffing, route inefficiencies, high customer expectations, inflation, and more.
The cost of last mile delivery depends on the company, but on average, 53% of the total delivery cost is last mile.
Almost every business that supplies goods will have to deal with last mile logic logistics.
Last mile delivery is the last step in the delivery process in which an item is sent out from a local warehouse or fulfillment center for its final delivery to the customer.
In addition to TotalView, we offer TotalConnect, our connected vehicle technology for commercial fleets. With TotalConnect, multiple sources of your fleet data are seamlessly consolidated into a single dashboard, enabling you to see data from a variety of telematics providers and OEMs in one platform.
Get the information you need, when you need it. This includes vehicle locations, mapping, geofencing, trip and event history, driver behavior, vehicle utilization dashboards, diagnostics codes, and much more. TotalConnect delivers cutting-edge vehicle visibility, starting as soon as the vehicle leaves the factory with no aftermarket devices required.
Our Merchants Fleet consulting team combines industry experience, analytical skills, big data, and the latest fleet technologies to provide tailored solutions across the entire fleet lifecycle. Whether you are looking to reduce costs, enhance corporate sustainability, upgrade fleet policies, improve driver behavior, or transition to EVs, we will develop the most effective strategies to meet your goals.
Telematics is an aftermarket GPS-tracking device that’s installed in a vehicle, which provides added insight into more detailed aspects of data. By monitoring trip data, vehicle systems information, and driver behavior, you can identify key areas of improvement to drive cost savings and improve safety. Some companies have even seen a reduction in their insurance premiums. Many modern vehicles have telematics hardware included from the factory. Commonly referred to as “connected vehicles,” this hardware provides the same near real-time analytics support and has a reduced risk of device tampering. Connected fleet solutions integrate data from multiple original equipment manufacturers and telematics solutions, easily scaling with your growing fleet needs.
A fleet management company will keep your company running safely and efficiently. Benefits include reducing operational costs, reducing administrative burden, lowering fleet repair costs, and ensuring the highest level of safety for you and your employees. Even if you own your own vehicles, we can help. We can add fleet management services to help with administration time and manage operational costs.
It’s best for your drivers to start as early as possible since the CDL process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
As the FMCSA explains, Military Driver Programs “make it easier, quicker, and less expensive for experienced military drivers to obtain a commercial driver’s license.”
No. This a common misconception; a CDL is not required to operate a truck with air brakes as long as the GVWR is 26,000 lbs. or less.
A commercial driver’s license is required for the operation of any singular vehicles 26,001 pounds and over (including the combination of a truck/trailer, anything being towed, etc.).
A CDL is required to operate certain types of commercial vehicles, including passenger vans, delivery vans, trucks and school buses.
Yes. Fuel cards offer fuel and sometimes maintenance at the equivalent of wholesale pricing, saving you money at the pump.
No, an RFP has no legal authority. Once a contractor is selected, it is then time to draw up a contract.
A request for quote (RFQ) is only concerned with pricing and is typically sent after a business knows what it wants to purchase.
A request for solution (RFS) is more general than an RFP. It describes a problem and asks for a way to solve it. These are preferable when you have identified your issue but still need to understand what a solution will look like.
If your fleet doesn’t have a replacement cycle plan in place, a good rule of thumb for light-duty vehicles is every four years or when the odometer hits 100,000 miles. If repairs become more frequent, cycling the vehicle out can be more cost effective due to reduced downtime.
Yes. Connected fleets collect not only GPS location data but also valuable information about the health of your vehicles. Data including fluid levels, fuel efficiency, and more is available on demand and can be used to determine when the cost of running a vehicle is no longer worth it.
If you don’t need that much hauling capacity, consider opting for a more comfortable and fuel-efficient ¾ ton or ½ ton option.
Towing gives you the option of disconnecting the trailer, resulting in a far more maneuverable vehicle that gets better gas mileage with lower maintenance costs than a large box truck or other similar vehicle.
Yes, we carry a full selection of fleet vehicles in passenger vans, trucks, cars, and of course work vans.
Companies will no longer be required to manufacture multiple charging ports or connectors and can focus on one single standard. This should reduce manufacturing costs and ultimately lead cost savings for customers.
Standardization takes time, as we have seen in the early electric vehicle generators, but we are in the midst of a major shift in the electric vehicle and charging station industries that points to a much more interoperable future.
Drivers and fleet managers must first understand their needs or the needs of their drivers. There is much information available related to electric vehicles; conducting thorough research of the vehicle manufacturers, vehicle models, charging connector types and charging station partners will provide a much clearer picture and ease the decision-making process.
Yes, there are a lot of important aspects, which is why we recommend starting with a fleet management company like Merchants Fleet. Our EV consultants will answer your questions and help you map out a plan and schedule for EV adoption.
EV charging interoperability simply refers to being able to easily access any platform at any time to charge an electric vehicle. This includes availability of and access to charging stations, hardware and/or software systems, connector capabilities, etc.
Yes! Our EV experts offer consulting services to help you find models that are a great fit for your fleet and your budget. We can also help you acquire the latest models like the BrightDrop Zevo 600 electric cargo van and Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup truck.
Reservations are open now for ClearCharge DropStation with deliveries starting in Q3 2023.
All major credit cards are accepted. Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Wex are not supported at this time.
With the goal of helping fleets go electric across the country, at this time we are only offering charger infrastructure services to organizations that have adopted or are looking to adopt EVs.
To ensure compatibility and warranty with the OEM, ClearCharge Work projects can only be supported when sourcing hardware through Merchants Fleet.
Our approved installer network is available throughout the United States.
All users must establish a username and password for access to mobile applications.
If you have already established these credentials, but have forgotten your password, please utilize the “forgot password” link within the application.
Most mobile applications provide payment capability by adding a credit card to the app.
Many public charging stations also provide credit card swipe capabilities to pay for charging.
ClearCharge™ Public allows drivers to easily find the nearest charging station and includes turn-by-turn navigation to the destination.
Every vehicle displays this information differently, but the in-car display should indicate vehicle charging status. Many EVs provide a status light near the charging connector or at the top of the dashboard to display the charging status and level of charge.
Warranty lengths differ by manufacturer and product. Please contact the charging station provider to discuss warranty details or to submit a warranty claim.
The default setting on some vehicles is to end charging sessions when the vehicle is charged to 80%. Consult your owner’s manual for how to change this setting if charging above 80% is required.
Please check the product information provided with your charging station and your vehicle. The amperage level of the charging station, the size of electrical circuit it is installed on, and the vehicle settings and battery level at time of charge all contribute to determining the speed your vehicle will be charged.
Please contact your charging stations’ provider for support:
ChargePoint 24/7 support – 1.888.758.4389 or get help online.
Enel X Way support – 1-844-584-2329 or get help online.
Certain vehicles require an adapter for charging. Please see your vehicle owner’s manual to determine if an adapter is required to use the charging station.
Have you recently updated your password? If so, please be sure this information is correct in the mobile app and an old password is not being added by an auto-fill process.
Are you having trouble accessing other mobile applications from your phone?
Please contact your charging station provider if your inability to access the mobile app persists.
Charging stations do not have a reset button or on/off switch. Turning off the circuit breaker for the charging station is the only way to remove power to the unit, but this should only be performed by a licensed electrician.
Check the connection to the vehicle to be sure connector is fully plugged in.
If your vehicle requires an adapter, be sure the adapter is fully secured to the charging station’s connector and this connector is fully plugged into the vehicle.
Check the in-vehicle display for any error messages.
Check your charging provider’s mobile app for any error messages.
Contact the charging provider for assistance:
Contact your facilities department or landlord to determine if the power loss is part of a larger building power loss situation.
If the power loss is isolated to the charging station(s), please contact the charging station installer or another licensed electrician to determine the cause of the power loss.
Charging stations display status lights on the front of the charging station. If there are no lights displayed, there is no power running to the charging station.
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.
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.
Yes, just as there are incentives and tax credits for EVs, they are also available to help cover the cost of charging equipment and installation. Under the Qualified Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Tax Credit, certain new electric vehicles are eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500 for individuals.
All users must establish a username and password for access to mobile applications.
If you have already established these credentials, but have forgotten your password, please utilize the “forgot password” link within the application.
Most mobile applications provide payment capability by adding a credit card to the app.
Many public charging stations also provide credit card swipe capabilities to pay for charging.
Every vehicle displays this information differently, but the in-car display should indicate vehicle charging status.
Many EV’s provide a status light near the charging connector or at the top of the dashboard to display the charging status and level of charge.
Please contact your Fleet Manager or HR Department to understand your company policy on charging stations.
Chargepoint Home Flex Equipment – 3 Years
Qmerit Installation – 1 Year
The default setting on some vehicles is to end charging sessions when the vehicle is charged to 80%. Consult your owner’s manual for how to change this setting if charging above 80% is required.
Please check the product information provided with your charging station and your vehicle. The amperage level of the charging station, the size of electrical circuit it is installed on, and the vehicle settings and battery level at time of charge all contribute to determining the speed your vehicle will be charged.
ChargePoint 24/7 support – 1.888.758.4389 or get help online.
Certain vehicles require an adapter for charging. Please see your vehicle owner’s manual to determine if an adapter is required to use the charging station.
Have you recently updated your password? If so, please be sure this information is correct in the mobile app and an old password is not being added by an auto-fill process.
Are you having trouble accessing other mobile applications from your phone? Check your cellular and/or WIFI connections to ensure you have adequate signal. Try restarting your mobile device and attempt to log in to the mobile app after the restart.
Please contact your charging station provider if your inability to access the mobile app persists.
ChargePoint 24/7 support – 1.888.758.4389 or get help online.
Check your home’s internet access – Consult your internet service provider if your home internet is not functioning properly.
Wi-Fi password confirmation: Have you recently changed your Wi-Fi password? Be sure to update this in your charging stations mobile device.
If home internet is functioning properly and the charging station is still not connecting to Wi-Fi, please contact the charging station’s manufacturer for support.
ChargePoint 24/7 support – 1.888.758.4389 or get help online.
There is no reset button or on/off switch on the charging station. Turning off the circuit breaker for the charging station is the only way to remove power to the charging station.
Check the connection to the vehicle to be sure connector is fully plugged in.
If your vehicle requires an adapter, be sure the adapter is fully secured to the charging station’s connector and this connector is fully plugged into the vehicle.
Check the in-vehicle display for any error messages.
Check the ChargePoint mobile app for any error messages.
Contact the charging station provider for assistance: ChargePoint 24/7 support – 1.888.758.4389 or get help online.
Please contact the certified electrician that completed the installation. If you do not have your installer’s information, please contact Qmerit Concierge service at 1.888.272.0090.
Charging stations display status lights on the front of the charging station. If there are no lights displayed, there is no power running to the charging station.
If the charging station does not have power, please contact the certified electrician who completed the installation for assistance. If you do not have your installer’s information, please contact Qmerit Concierge service at 1.888.272.0090.
Merchants Fleet can supply organizations with a report to detail the amount of electricity used by each home charging station.
Each organization is responsible to define how they will reimburse employees for electricity used for home EV charging.
Drivers should contact their organization’s Fleet Manager or HR Department to discuss the company policy on home charging reimbursements.
Once the home charging station installation is complete, Merchants Fleet will dispatch a welcome email to each driver to enroll in the ClearCharge Home portal. This enrollment links each home charging station to the organization’s online portal.
The charging station serial number, installation address, charging station status, usage data and driver name are among the items shared with the ChargePoint portal.
Yes. Each charging station must be connected to a WIFI signal to communicate with the charging network’s online portal to provide charging session data to your organization.
The licensed electrician who performs the home assessment will identify this information and make recommendations to support an effective home charging solution.
Home EV chargers require a 240V electrical connection. The licensed electrician assigned to a project will determine a cost effective and reliable approach to any given set of conditions in a home.
Merchants Fleet partners with a national charging station installation partner to facilitate home EV charger installations. This partner will identify a licensed, local electrician to provide a home assessment and installation quote for each home identified for the ClearCharge Home program.
Once your company is enrolled in ClearCharge Home, the timeline will depend on the scope of work required for each installation. The licensed electrician providing the quote can also discuss the timeline required to perform each installation.
A typical process timeline for an installation through the ClearCharge Home program is 6-8 weeks.
Merchants Fleet will work with your organization to establish program specifics including a project approval process and cost thresholds. This process will be followed for each installation quote received under your program.
While every home installation is different, the ClearCharge Home program has a tiered pricing structure for home installations across the U.S. Each installation is reviewed by a licensed electrician to identify the cost tier for each home installation.
Merchants Fleet is currently partnering with ChargePoint for ClearCharge home installations.
Contact Merchants Fleet to request details about the ClearCharge Home product and talk with an expert about how to implement this within your fleet.
ClearCharge Home is a turnkey solution for home EV charger installations provided by Merchants Fleet.
This indicates that this charger is not part of the Electrify Fleet network. You can only use chargers that appear on the map in the app. To locate another charger within the network, refer to the map in the app.
If the station has a QR code, you can scan the code within the app to initiate a charge. If the station does not have a QR code, you will need to identify the station in the map within the app and select it to start a charge.
There are a variety of networks tied into the Electrify Fleet app. To include all networks, roaming is set as a default to maximize the number of stations available to you. To maximize the options for your drivers, always make sure roaming is on.
No, with the Electrify Fleet app, you do not need a key fob. A charge can be initiated within the app at any charging station shown.
The listed station power is a maximum charging rate that station can provide, but several factors can cause your EV to charge at a slower rate. Usually, the charging rate is limited because the vehicle is limiting the charging rate. The most common causes of a lower rate are:
Refer to your owner’s manual for your vehicle to learn more.
Yes, Tesla models can charge at any station in the Electrify Fleet app, as long as your driver is equipped with the proper adapter for the proprietary Tesla charging port.
Level 3 equipment, also referred to as DC fast chargers, use high-voltage DC power to charge your vehicle. Most Level 3 chargers can provide an EV with 80% charge in about 30 minutes, but this will vary depending on the specifics of the charger and your EV’s battery capacity. Level 3 chargers are being deployed across the United States in public or commercial settings.
Level 2 equipment offers charging at 208 or 240V AC. Level 2 charging equipment is compatible with all-electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles (PHEV). Depending on the battery capacity and technology used in the vehicle, Level 2 charging generally takes between four and 10 hours to completely top-off a fully depleted battery.
Yes, you can control your notification settings from your account page. There you’ll be able to select whether you receive notifications via SMS or email.
Charging Basics
If you are having trouble with a charging station, please contact us using the customer support form in the app or call our 24-hour driver support line at 1-866-816-7584. [LD1] If the issue cannot be resolved over the phone, our team will assist you in locating an operational charging station nearby.
For most stations, you can simply unplug the charger from your vehicle to end your session. For some DC fast chargers (Level 3), you may need to hit a stop button on the charger to end your session.
Yes, as a courtesy to other drivers trying to use the charge station, we ask that you move your EV once your charge is complete. Please note that some locations may charge additional fees if you leave an idle EV plugged in after it has completed charging. Pricing policies are listed on the station port screen in the app. Drivers can turn on notifications from your account page to receive an SMS and/or email once their charge is complete.
All charging station fees are set by the operator – most public chargers have a pricing policy, while some allow drivers to charge for free. The most common pricing policies are structured to charge for the energy consumed (kWh) or the time spent charging. Some stations in busy locations may also charge additional fees for vehicles left connected to the station beyond a set period of time. You can view the pricing policy within each station’s info page in the mobile app. Simply scan or manually enter the station’s QR code to view the station info and pricing policy.
There are two ways to start a session when you arrive at an Electrify Fleet network charger. Your driver can use the QR reader to identify a charging station and begin their charge or select a charging location from the map, choose a connector, and start the charge from the connector description page.
The Electrify Fleet app grants your drivers access to our large network of public chargers across the United States. It was developed to be the only tool your drivers need for charging their EVs on the go – delivering a seamless, empowering experience that reduces the downtime of your electric fleet. With Electrify Fleet, you can easily locate the nearest charger and start and pay for a charging session at the public charging station of your choice, without needing to download another application or fumble for a payment card.
Our Merchants Fleet consulting team combines industry experience, analytical skills, big data, and the latest fleet technologies to provide tailored solutions across the entire fleet lifecycle. Whether you are looking to reduce costs, enhance corporate sustainability, upgrade fleet policies, or improve driver behavior, we will develop the most effective strategies to meet your goals. Our heavy-duty truck experts can assist you with vehicle selection and managing your reefer truck or van projects from start to finish.
Vehicle upfitting is what transforms standard cargo vans and trucks into reefer vans and reefer trucks. Turnaround times vary based on the on the number of vehicles and the size of the vehicles in which you need to upfit. Contact Merchants to discuss your upfit needs, and our team can provide more detailed information about potential costs and timeframe.
A fleet management solution will help your vehicles and drivers adhere to FDA regulations and ensure cargo is kept safe, secure and arrives without contamination and spoilage. Other benefits include: reducing operational costs, reducing administrative burden, lowering fleet repair costs, and ensuring the highest level of safety for you, your employees, and the customers consuming the products you transport. With FleetAssist and our administered maintenance program, Merchant Fleet can help even if you own your vehicles. Let our experts take on the day-to-day administration of your fleet, which frees up more of your time.
When it comes to connected vehicles, you’ve already paid for the intelligent hardware when you purchased it. Every gigabyte of data output by your vehicle contains insights to help potentially lower TCO and improve driver safety. If you’re not collecting and analyzing this information, it’s going down the drain.
Learn more: Add Value to Your Business Through Integrated Fleet Data | Merchants Fleet
There are more than 13 million connected vehicles in the United States, and over 90% of new cars sold include this technology. While it’s easy to estimate that most 2020 MY vehicles and newer are connected capable, we’d be happy to review your fleet and pinpoint which vehicles can advantage of connected technology and where you still need a legacy telematics plug in device.
With a connected vehicle, telematics capability is already built into the vehicle including the cellular modem and advanced computer systems. Using these onboard systems reduces the costs associated with device installs and prevents device tampering.
Having your fleet connected allows for ease of access to the date as it will all live in TotalView through TotalConnect.
Most modern cars have a digital MPG display, but it may not always be correct. For a more accurate reading, follow these steps:
For example, if you drove 100 miles on 10 gallons of gas, your MPG is 10.
The Utility kWh rate is the price of power supplied by the utility company — in this case, electricity. It can be calculated by multiplying your kWh by the cost of electricity.
Mile per kWh (kilowatts per hour) is a measurement of energy consumption for electric vehicles.
There are many benefits, including the ability to lower costs, improve fleet safety, and track fuel spending. You will also have full visibility into vehicle lifecycle costs, and our customized short- and long-term leases make it easy to find exactly what you need to fit your business goals and budget.
Our most popular vehicles for engineering include a range of sedans, light duty pickups and SUVs. The Ford F-150, Honda CR-V, Nissan Pathfinder, and Chrysler Voyager are all popular options.
We offer a lot of upfit options, including logos, branding, decals, truck boxes, safety lights, lift gates, cranes, shelving modules, drawer units — and much more. Check out our page on vehicle upfitting and branding for more information. If you aren’t sure exactly which type of upfits you need, we can help with that, too.
It depends on the number of vehicles and which types of upfits you’ve chosen. Contact Merchants to discuss your upfit needs, and our team can provide more detailed information about potential costs and timeframe.
Upfits will depend on your specific needs. Some of the more popular upfits for construction vehicles include logos and branding, trailer and hitch options, shelving and drawers, roof racks, ladder racks, and power locks.
Some of our most popular vehicles for the construction industry include Ford F-250, RAM 2500, Nissan Titan XD, Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, GMC Sierra 2500 HD, and ½ ton pickups from Ford/Chevy/Ram. We also offer flatbeds and service bodies from Ford, Chevy, and RAM.
We provide a variety of leasing and funding to meet your needs. Closed-end leases offer a fixed monthly payment. An open-end lease gives you complete leasing structure flexibility. If you have purchased your own vehicles, we can add fleet management services.
Benefits include lower costs, improving fleet safety, easily tracking your fuel spend, and full visibility into vehicle lifecycle costs. Contact us for more information — we’d be happy to review the many advantages!
Upfits will depend on your specific needs. Some of the more popular ones include logos and branding, trailer and hitch options, shelving and drawers, alarm systems, and safety lights.
It depends on your needs and budget. We have a large selection of cargo vans, shuttles, and passenger vans from top manufacturers.
We provide a variety of leasing and funding to meet your needs. Closed-end leases offer a fixed monthly payment. An open-end lease gives you complete leasing structure flexibility. If you have purchased your own vehicles, we can add fleet management services.
There are many advantages to partnering with a fleet management solution, including lowering costs, improving fleet safety, faster deployment to job sites — and much more. We’ll work with you to tailor a fleet solution that fits your needs and budget.
Upfits will depend on your specific needs. Some of the more popular ones include logos and branding, trailer and hitch options, shelving and drawers, alarm systems, and safety lights.
Whether you’re transporting produce or hauling machinery to a job site, we have you covered. We offer a wide variety of trucks and cargo vans so you can find exactly what you need.
TotalConnect can provide deep visibility into your fleet data without the need for a plug-in device. With TotalConnect, multiple sources of connected vehicle data and telematics device data are seamlessly consolidated into a single dashboard, enabling you to save processing time by only needing to use a single platform. No aftermarket devices are required. TotalConnect delivers cutting-edge vehicle visibility that starts as soon as the vehicle leaves the factory.
In addition to the advantages we just mentioned, telematics allows you to see where your vehicles are in real-time — and how long they stay at a particular location.
By monitoring trip data, vehicle systems information, and driver behavior, you identify key areas of improvement to drive cost savings and improve safety. Some companies have even seen a reduction in their insurance premiums.
Telematics is an aftermarket GPS-tracking device that’s installed in a vehicle, which provides added insight into more detailed aspects of data, such as accurate odometer readings and driver behavior.
Choose from new and late model cargo vans, flatbeds and pickup trucks, and a variety of EV options. Specific models include the RAM ProMaster, Chevy Express, GMC Savana, Ford Transit, Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500, Isuzu 16’ Box Truck, and many more. If you can’t find the commercial vehicle you need, please contact us to check our availability.
No matter where you are in the United States or how many locations you have, Merchants can deliver a commercial truck rental product to you. We take care of the pickup and delivery nationwide for any number of trucks needed.
To return a vehicle, notify your Account Manager who will start the offboarding process by sending a form for each vehicle being returned. These forms must be completed within 7 days, otherwise a new request must be made. Vehicle pickup is coordinated with logistics; they will relay any chargeable vehicle damage costs to your Account Manager for payment or insurance claim info.
We offer flexible, month-to-month rental terms on pickup beds with mileage options available.
We have developed a variety of service packages to meet your company’s needs. With our full maintenance program, you pay one fixed monthly payment, and we handle everything. The fee never changes, no matter how much we work on your fleet. Administered maintenance enables you to pay for repairs as you go. Reserve maintenance allows you to pay a fixed amount each month, and at the end of the lease term, all bills are reconciled, and the account is balanced. The final option is tailored maintenance, which is a customized solution for your fleet.
We offer multiple trim levels of popular full-size pickups including the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, Ram 1500, and a wide selection of commercial trucks, including ½ ton, ¾ ton, 1 ton, and EV models. We also offer cargo vans, which are a great option if you’re looking for a business truck rental with more space since cargo vans are designed with storage in mind.
Our truck rental custom packages allow off-road use and towing. Some vehicles may be better suited for certain terrain or towing capabilities, so it’s best to contact us to discuss your specific situation.
We have an entire team dedicated to managing the license, title, and registrations of your fleet. Our experts understand all the intricacies and requirements pertaining to vehicle paperwork for all 50 states. We can help, no matter what you need — including title changes, specialty plates, interstate registration, and registration renewals.
Our license and title experts are assigned to specific states, which means they understand the laws, processes, and standards for registering and licensing your fleet vehicles. We also keep track of changes that occur from state to state, which means fewer errors and quicker turnaround.
A simple, consolidated billing pass through is placed on your Merchants invoice each month for any vehicles associated with any vehicles on your account.
Toll Management enables the use of all electronic and cashless tolling lanes. Fleet tolling is consolidated into one centralized account, which reduced or often eliminates costly toll violations and activates toll region interoperability.
With TollGuard, we systematically check for any toll violations, like when a transponder is not detected in the lane; we then pay them automatically to eliminate any violation fines.
Our electronic toll payment solution provides an easy, centralized way to control and process your toll expenses. Our solution is compatible with all in-vehicle transponder and license plate video toll recognition systems across the United States. Plus, our solution can help you save up to 50% on tolling expenses.
We have dedicated specialists who handle the details of subrogation, which means your claim is handled as efficiently as possible. Our specialists, who will review the claim to determine who is at fault, have extensive knowledge of all relevant laws and regulations so you can focus on other important business. Clients can see all claim details, demands, and funds collected throughout the process.
Within 24 hours of a claim being filed, an FNOL (First Notice of Loss) is emailed to the distribution point of contact that was set up during the discovery. This can be one contact, a strig, or multiple contacts depending on preference. If a serious accident or fatality is reported, the claim is escalated immediately, and all emergency contacts are informed according to account preferences.
Telematics proactively track driver behavior and aggregate it into individual scorecards, providing a platform for managers to address problems and reward improvements. Driver safety should also be a top priority. Evaluating this data will guide decisions regarding policies, training, and incentive programs. Drivers should be completely familiar with all their vehicles’ equipment, including GPS, company-issued field service devices, telematics, and even the entertainment system. Telematics can also track engine hours and mileage and provide maintenance schedules to ensure vehicles are running optimally.
Fleet accident management services includes seamless claims processing, repair and subrogation recovery, and coordinating loaners vehicles. Plus, no matter when accidents happen, your drivers will have 24/7 support.
Telematics is a powerful tool that will help you manage expenses, productivity, compliance, safety, and more. You can use data to identify key areas of improvements; plus, Merchants Fleet telematics is easily scaled and customized to your specific business needs.
With telematics, you can view data from the vehicle’s engine, drivetrain, instrument cluster, and other subsystems. You can also monitor driver behavior, including braking habits, speed, after-hours usage, and acceleration.
Telematics will streamline ELD logging procedures, reduce paperwork, and facilitate quicker inspections, which makes it easy to stay compliant with the latest ELD regulations.
Failure to properly maintain your fleet can result in serious safety and compliance problems, business downtime, loss of revenue, and high repair costs. Fleet maintenance will help keep you and your business running safely and efficiently.
We allow you to choose a pricing structure that works best for you. With our full maintenance program, you pay one fixed monthly payment, and we handle everything. The fee never changes, no matter how much we work on your fleet. Administered maintenance enables you to pay for repairs as you go. Reserve maintenance allows you to pay a fixed amount each month, and at the end of the lease term, all bills are reconciled, and the account is balanced. The final option is tailored maintenance, which is a customized solution for your fleet.
Our selection of maintenance programs includes a nationwide network of more than 45,000 preferred vendors. We also have EV specialized maintenance facilities within our vendor network to ensure your EVs are properly maintained and serviced.
With TotalView, our fleet management software, you can access purchase order data and key reports. We can also set you up to receive email or text-based preventative maintenance alerts to help ensure your vehicles stay on the right track.
In addition to TotalView, we offer connected vehicle technology for commercial fleets, otherwise known as TotalConnect. With TotalConnect, multiple sources of your fleet data are seamlessly consolidated into a single dashboard, enabling you to see data from a variety of telematics providers and OEMs in one platform. Get the information you need — when you need it. This includes vehicle locations, mapping, geofencing, trip and event history, driver behavior, vehicle utilization dashboards, diagnostics codes, and much more. TotalConnect delivers cutting-edge vehicle visibility, starting as soon as the vehicle leaves the factory with no aftermarket devices required. You can also discover insights that will help you determine the best pathway to EVs.
Our Merchants Fleet consulting team combines industry experience, analytical skills, big data, and the latest fleet technologies to provide tailored solutions across the entire fleet lifecycle. Whether you are looking to reduce costs, enhance corporate sustainability, upgrade fleet policies, improve driver behavior, or transition to EVs, we will develop the most effective strategies to meet your goals.
In addition to TotalView, we offer connected vehicle technology for commercial fleets, otherwise known as TotalConnect. With TotalConnect, multiple sources of your fleet data are seamlessly consolidated into a single dashboard, enabling you to see data from a variety of telematics providers and OEMs in one platform. Get the information you need — when you need it. This includes vehicle locations, mapping, geofencing, trip and event history, driver behavior, vehicle utilization dashboards, diagnostics codes, and much more. TotalConnect delivers cutting-edge vehicle visibility, starting as soon as the vehicle leaves the factory with no aftermarket devices required.
We have an in-house upfit engineering team that will help you select the right vehicles for your fleet, spec the best aftermarket equipment, and choose the most qualified vendors for jobs. We are your single point of contact and ensure a streamlined upfit process.
The most popular type of commercial vehicles are typically medium-duty trucks, or any vehicle with lighter upfits, an enhanced engine, and four-wheel drive. These include the Ford F-250, RAM 2500, Nissan Titan XD, Chevy Silverado 2500HD, and GMC Sierra 2500HD. Popular EV options include the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado Electric.
A fleet management solution will help keep you and your company running safely and efficiently. Benefits include reducing operational costs, reducing administrative burden, lowering fleet repair costs, and ensuring the highest level of safety for you and your employees. Even if you own your own vehicles, we can help. We can add fleet management services to assist with administration time and manage operational costs. We can also help you manage the implementation of electric vehicles.
When you partner with Merchants, you’re starting your EV journey with a personalized adoption plan. We have the experience, tools, and experience to help you transition to a more sustainable fleet, and we do so by assessing your fleet needs and identifying the roadmap for your organization’s EV adoption. You also have the opportunity to participate in an EV pilot program, which allows you to test what works and what doesn’t for your fleet in real life, without fear of major issues impacting your operations.
The term “mobility” has long been an integral part of fleet management, but in today’s ever-changing world, it has evolved into something far more extensive. Mobility now stands as a new way of thinking; a transformative, on-demand philosophy that can unlock new opportunities in delivering the most efficient transportation that is needed, when it is needed, and for exactly how long it is needed. We invite you to explore our Mobility Calculator, which is designed to model out a scenario in which a mix of mobility and long-term leasing solutions can potentially save money while increasing flexibility within your fleet.
Fuel is the second largest expense for fleets after depreciation. Since you can’t control prices at the pump, examining your fleet’s MPG is one way to manage your fuel spend. Use our Fuel Savings Calculator to see how much you’re spending today, and how much you can potentially save by focusing on your MPG.
Electric vehicles can lower maintenance costs, lower fuel costs, and reduce downtime, all of which contributes to a reduced Total Cost of Ownership.
Our EV experts and fleet team will create a custom EV adoption plan best suited to meet your organizational goals and needs. You will also receive a tailored strategy to execute your adoption, including vehicle reservations, best locations for EV conversion, ordering and leasing, EVSE charging and funding options, and more.
We provide vehicle upfitting services for any type of vehicle — Class 1 to Class 8 trucks; light, medium, and heavy duty vehicles; commercial buses, vans, and shuttles; and passenger vehicles. No matter your industry, our truck and van upfitting services will be tailored to your business, fleet size, and goals.
With a fleet management solution, you can streamline processes, improve fleet safety and maintenance, and enjoy faster deployment to job sites. You can also monitor all your equipment, track fuel management and manage driver behavior.
Trucks Include:
Vans Include:
Delivery timelines vary depending on the make and model selected and the level of upfitting required. Our acquisitions and upfitting teams will work with you closely to keep you apprised of vehicle production timelines for your orders.
Our consulting team can help tell if EVs are right for you through AdoptEV, our EV adoption solution that helps you get from concept to execution. We’ve made significant commitments to OEMs, and we’re on the front lines to get vehicle allocations and ensure there is EV availability for our clients.
Our analysts can help you evaluate this based on industry trends, forecasts, and third-party research. Our remarketing programs can help you get the most value.
Yes, fuel cards can be used at many card reader capable chargers.
Our team of experts and infrastructure partners can help establish the right charging infrastructure strategy for your fleet, including identifying the right charger, installation, and station maintenance.
It depends on the number of vehicles and which types of upfits you’ve chosen. Contact Merchants to discuss your upfit needs, and our team can provide more detailed information about potential costs and timeframe.
Common van upfitting requests include installing partitions, lights, ramps, and lift gates. We also focus on safety improvements and performance enhancements, including anti-slip flooring and storage unit installation. Common truck upfits include floor drawers, pickup truck hitches, hitch accessories, ladder racks, roof racks, boxes, and cargo trailer equipment. No matter what you need, our vehicle upfitting engineers will work diligently to get the job done on time and efficiently.
If you are looking to sell buses or non-traditional/specialty vehicles you already own, consider our GuaranteeBUY program. Similar to fleet lease disposal, this program will offer you a guaranteed price up front for your vehicles. We assess your vehicles, and then our remarketing experts determine the appropriate value. From there, we handle the entire fleet remarketing process, including any inspections and fees associated with selling.
It depends on your needs, but our most popular vehicles for residential care include the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Voyager, and passenger buses.
We provide a variety of leasing and funding to meet your needs. Closed-end leases offer a fixed monthly payment. An open-end lease gives you complete leasing structure flexibility. If you have purchased your own vehicles, we can add fleet management services.
A fleet management solution will help keep you and your residential care community running safely and efficiently. Benefits include: reducing operational costs, reducing administrative burden, lowering fleet repair costs, and ensuring the highest level of safety for you, your employees, and your residents. Plus, even if you own your own vehicles, we can help! Merchant Fleet can add fleet management services to help with administration time and manage operational costs. With FleetAssist and our administered maintenance program, our experts take on the day-to-day administration of your fleet, which frees up more of your time.
We offer a GuaranteeBUY program, where we offer you a guaranteed price up front for your vehicles and handle the entire process for you, including market research and outreach, resale strategies, pricing, and transfer of ownership. We also offer our Multi-Channel Remarketing option where we remarket your vehicles on your behalf using multiple sales avenues, including closed auction sales, physical and online auctions, specialty auctions, and retail and wholesale.
Discounts and benefits include low, guaranteed fixed rates, tax-exempt leasing and registration, and unique lease structure. There are also options for flexible payment terms.
With a closed-end lease, you control your costs and minimize risks. You never have to worry about market price volatility, rate fluctuations, or seasonal resale influences. At the end of your closed-end lease, you will only be responsible for excess mileage and damages.
An open-end lease gives you complete leasing structure flexibility. This is ideal if you want a plan that’s as close to vehicle ownership as possible, but with all the benefits of leasing. You retain the equity in your vehicle, with a long-term structure to pay for your fleet.
Our fuel card can be used at most national and regional fuel retailers where Mastercard® is accepted. You can put rules in place and lock down your cards so that drivers can only use them at more secure fueling stations that will always require driver ID and odometers to be entered.
Driver support is just a phone call away. A Merchants Fleet representative who understands your fleet practices and services will work to address issues quickly and efficiently. If more support is needed, your representative will collaborate with internal and external resources. Even if you aren’t enrolled in our extended services program, we’ll do our best to give the drivers the help they need, especially when it comes to accidents and urgent situations. We also provide 24/7 responses to just about any situation that arises on the road.
All vehicles and fuel spending are managed within the TotalView platform, which allows full visibility into your employee fuel spend so you can prevent fraud and identify areas for cost savings.
A fleet fuel card is a credit card specialized for fuel purchases that allows you to monitor costs, determine each driver’s fuel usage, capture odometer readings and more. It also allows you to limit and verify purchases and ensure only authorized employees are using the fuel card.
Yes. We offer month-to-month options for short-term extensions or you can realize additional cost savings by converting to a long-term lease.
Merchants Fleet will cover all maintenance over the life of the vehicle through one of its Maintenance programs. We have vehicle repair partners throughout the country and will be able to recommend one near you.
No.
It is the renter’s responsibility to insure the vehicles.
We will help you coordinate nationwide delivery and pickup through our nationwide network of delivery partners.
Yes. Our team will arrange the pickup and transportation of your vehicles.
We take over all risk and handle the entire process for you, including, market research and outreach, resale strategies, pricing, and transfer of ownership. There are certain fees associated with our Multi-Channel Remarketing option. Under GuaranteeBUY, all fees are covered by Merchants Fleet.
With our GuaranteeBUY fleet remarketing program, you can receive payment for your vehicles in less than one business week. Our Multi-Channel Remarketing program can take a few extra days (vehicles sell in an average of 18 days), but will give you the highest return for your vehicles.
If you need to extend the term on your vehicle, you have options! We offer month-to-month terms if you need to extend for a short period, or you also have the option to change your vehicle over to a long-term lease if you need a more permanent arrangement.
Yes. Our vehicles are insured by the renter. You should have insurance to cover $1,000,000 liability policy for each vehicle.
We will arrange for the transportation of your vehicle when you are ready to return them. When you are approaching the end of your contract, please notify your Merchants account manager via phone or email correspondence at least 7 days prior to your anticipated end date. This allows our logistics team to arrange and schedule the pickup, and transport of your vans from where they are located.
You will need to remove all magnets, stickers, or other cosmetic changes made to the vehicle, sweep the cargo area and cabin, and clean out any trash from the inside of the van. You will also need to complete a digital condition report prior to releasing your vehicles to the transporter.
Yes, we will cover all maintenance over the life of the vehicle. Our maintenance team will track and approve maintenance items. All manufacturer warranty items need to be brought to the appropriate dealership. Any maintenance or repairs that are a result of driver error or negligence fall under the renter’s responsibility.
In most cases, deposits are not required.
We will help you arrange shipping through our nationwide network of delivery partners.
Yes. Our short-term vehicles are insured by the renter. You should have insurance to cover $1,000,000 liability policy for each vehicle.
The number of vehicles your company is able to rent will be subject to credit approval.
Most commercial umbrella insurance policies will suffice. We do require our clients to have automobile liability insurance at a minimum of $1 million combined single limit per occurrence, as well as comprehensive and collision insurance.
Yes. We have options to structure your rental terms so that you can convert to a long-term lease or buy out your vehicles.
We only rent vehicles for commercial use.
Yes. We have a full team of upfitting experts who can add vehicle wraps and logos to your rental vehicles. With our short-term rentals, these upfitting services are performed at the clients’ expense, and the upfits cannot affect the condition of the vehicle. At the end of the rental terms, the vehicle must be returned to its original condition.
Yes. Our fleet rental programs can include custom mileage options so that you can travel to and from wherever you need.
Our pickup truck rentals can be used for off-road use. However, our car and van rentals are not available for off-road use.
Once the contract is signed, you will receive your vehicles within 5 to 7 business days.
Our process takes an average of 3 to 5 days, which includes performing a credit check.
The shortest fleet rental program we offer is 1 month. However, our clients will be responsible for transportation fees for rentals that are less than 90 days.
Merchants Fleet is flexible and works with fleets of all sizes. We have worked with large enterprises that need nationwide coverage, small and medium-sized businesses that need a turnkey solution, and businesses that need short-term and seasonal options. We have also worked with a wide variety of industries, including specialized programs for government, academic institutions, summer camps, work trucks, and hospitality transportation.
Merchants Fleet believes in a tailored approach and understands leases are not a one-size-fits-all product. We will work with you to determine exactly what you need for lease funding. Some of our options include open-end, close-end, short-term leasing, re-leasing, and value leasing. We also offer fleet buyback and vehicle acquisition programs. Learn more here.
Merchants Fleet offers leases as short as a few months, up to traditional lease lengths. Our team can help you determine the optimal lease duration for your individual needs.
Merchants Fleet works with manufacturers and dealers nationwide. Your sales executive will work with you to determine your needs and get your vehicles as soon as possible. However, timeframes may vary according to the type of vehicle you need, your specifications, and manufacturer timelines.
Telematics combines GPS technology with integrated communications, providing real-time and historic data about your vehicles and driver behavior.
There are many ways to reduce your total cost of ownership. Examining fuel costs, idling, driver behavior, maintenance patterns, and vehicle lifecycle can all lead to opportunities for improvements. Merchants Fleet strategic consulting has a team of analytics-minded experts who can examine your fleet data to identify ways to make meaningful changes to your fleet operations. Learn more about fleet consulting.
FleetShare is the Merchants Fleet car sharing technology solution. Drivers utilize wireless card access and online reservations, so they just activate their card, reserve a vehicle, unlock it, and go. By empowering drivers to book vehicles for only the time they’re needed, you can reduce idle time and right-size your fleet. Learn more.
TotalView is Merchants’ proprietary fleet management platform that gives you detailed, up-to-the-minute data about your fleet. It offers a wealth of vehicle-specific information, customizable dashboards, and more. Our experts have designed it to give you the information you need to make informed, data-based decisions, ultimately lowering your total cost of ownership (TCO). Learn how TotalView combines with our consulting to help you optimize your fleet.
Determining the optimum time to replace your fleet vehicles can help you avoid costly maintenance, keep your drivers happy, and preserve remarketing value. When to replace your vehicles depends on a variety of factors, such as maintenance, mileage, utilization, and more. Merchants Fleet strategic consulting can examine your company’s unique data to identify opportunities and make a recommendation. Learn more about fleet consulting.
Choose from any of our 45,000+ preferred nationwide vendors, and if your vehicles are unable to leave your facility, we’ll schedule an ASE-certified technician to visit your location to service your vehicles. You can also find repair locations on-the-go with our mobile app. Plus, if you enroll in our Merchants Fleet Roadside Assistance program, your drivers have a toll-free number to call day or night in the event of a maintenance emergency. What is included will depend on your fleet maintenance program.
Merchants Fleet has extensive experience working with franchises, hotels, resorts, and other businesses that require specific standards for their fleet branding. We will deliver a wrap that is both high-quality and compliant with your standards.
Merchants Fleet has an in-house upfit engineering group. We act as a single point of contact among you, your drivers, and the OEM so you can get the upfit you need, when you need it. Whatever your criteria may be, we will make it happen.
Merchants Fleet has an in-house team dedicated to managing licenses, titles and registrations. We work in all 50 states, and license and title staff are assigned to specific states so the proper documentation can be processed efficiently. Learn more here.
Call or email your customer service representative if you have questions about any of your programs or services. Merchants Fleet customer service representatives are highly experienced and will quickly connect you with the information you need.
Merchants Fleet offers two different remarketing options: GuaranteeTRAC®, which gives you a guaranteed price up front, or OpenTRAC®, where Merchants Fleet remarkets your vehicles on your behalf. Depending on your lease, you may also be able to use our fleet buyback program or extend your terms.
While the hardware is powered by advanced technologies, including Machine Vision and Artificial Intelligence, it does require a compatible Geotab telematics device and subscription to operate.
The hardware will natively link with your MyGeotab UI, allowing for simple retrieval of video events through an easy-to-use web portal.
The hardware is equipped with a high-endurance SD card to save your recorded feed in case of poor network connection. A battery backup is also equipped to provide lasting power for parking mode.
The hardware connects with your existing Geotab telematics device to receive a feed of your vehicle and location data.
No matter where you are in the United States or how many locations you have, Merchants can deliver a commercial truck rental product to you. We take care of the pickup and delivery nationwide for any number of trucks needed.
To return a vehicle, notify your Account Manager who will start the offboarding process by sending a form for each vehicle being returned. These forms must be completed within 7 days, otherwise a new request must be made. Vehicle pickup is coordinated with logistics; they will relay any chargeable vehicle damage costs to your Account Manager for payment or insurance claim info.
We offer flexible, month-to-month rental terms on pickup beds with mileage options available.
We have dedicated specialists who handle the details of subrogation, which means your claim is handled as efficiently as possible. Our specialists, who will review the claim to determine who is at fault, have extensive knowledge of all relevant laws and regulations so you can focus on other important business. Clients can see all claim details, demands, and funds collected throughout the process.
Within 24 hours of a claim being filed, an FNOL (First Notice of Loss) is emailed to the distribution point of contact that was set up during the discovery. This can be one contact, a strig, or multiple contacts depending on preference. If a serious accident or fatality is reported, the claim is escalated immediately, and all emergency contacts are informed according to account preferences.
Telematics proactively track driver behavior and aggregate it into individual scorecards, providing a platform for managers to address problems and reward improvements. Driver safety should also be a top priority. Evaluating this data will guide decisions regarding policies, training, and incentive programs. Drivers should be completely familiar with all their vehicles’ equipment, including GPS, company-issued field service devices, telematics, and even the entertainment system. Telematics can also track engine hours and mileage and provide maintenance schedules to ensure vehicles are running optimally.
We allow you to choose a pricing structure that works best for you. With our full maintenance program, you pay one fixed monthly payment, and we handle everything. The fee never changes, no matter how much we work on your fleet. Administered maintenance enables you to pay for repairs as you go. Reserve maintenance allows you to pay a fixed amount each month, and at the end of the lease term, all bills are reconciled, and the account is balanced. The final option is tailored maintenance, which is a customized solution for your fleet.
Our selection of maintenance programs includes a nationwide network of more than 45,000 preferred vendors. We also have EV specialized maintenance facilities within our vendor network to ensure your EVs are properly maintained and serviced.
In addition to TotalView, we offer connected vehicle technology for commercial fleets, otherwise known as TotalConnect. With TotalConnect, multiple sources of your fleet data are seamlessly consolidated into a single dashboard, enabling you to see data from a variety of telematics providers and OEMs in one platform. Get the information you need — when you need it. This includes vehicle locations, mapping, geofencing, trip and event history, driver behavior, vehicle utilization dashboards, diagnostics codes, and much more. TotalConnect delivers cutting-edge vehicle visibility, starting as soon as the vehicle leaves the factory with no aftermarket devices required. You can also discover insights that will help you determine the best pathway to EVs.
Our Merchants Fleet consulting team combines industry experience, analytical skills, big data, and the latest fleet technologies to provide tailored solutions across the entire fleet lifecycle. Whether you are looking to reduce costs, enhance corporate sustainability, upgrade fleet policies, improve driver behavior, or transition to EVs, we will develop the most effective strategies to meet your goals.
In addition to TotalView, we offer connected vehicle technology for commercial fleets, otherwise known as TotalConnect. With TotalConnect, multiple sources of your fleet data are seamlessly consolidated into a single dashboard, enabling you to see data from a variety of telematics providers and OEMs in one platform. Get the information you need — when you need it. This includes vehicle locations, mapping, geofencing, trip and event history, driver behavior, vehicle utilization dashboards, diagnostics codes, and much more. TotalConnect delivers cutting-edge vehicle visibility, starting as soon as the vehicle leaves the factory with no aftermarket devices required.
We have an in-house upfit engineering team that will help you select the right vehicles for your fleet, spec the best aftermarket equipment, and choose the most qualified vendors for jobs. We are your single point of contact and ensure a streamlined upfit process.
The most popular type of commercial vehicles are typically medium-duty trucks, or any vehicle with lighter upfits, an enhanced engine, and four-wheel drive. These include the Ford F-250, RAM 2500, Nissan Titan XD, Chevy Silverado 2500HD, and GMC Sierra 2500HD. Popular EV options include the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado Electric.
Trucks Include:
Vans Include:
It depends on the number of vehicles and which types of upfits you’ve chosen. Contact Merchants to discuss your upfit needs, and our team can provide more detailed information about potential costs and timeframe.
Common van upfitting requests include installing partitions, lights, ramps, and lift gates. We also focus on safety improvements and performance enhancements, including anti-slip flooring and storage unit installation. Common truck upfits include floor drawers, pickup truck hitches, hitch accessories, ladder racks, roof racks, boxes, and cargo trailer equipment. No matter what you need, our vehicle upfitting engineers will work diligently to get the job done on time and efficiently.
If you are looking to sell buses or non-traditional/specialty vehicles you already own, consider our GuaranteeBUY program. Similar to fleet lease disposal, this program will offer you a guaranteed price up front for your vehicles. We assess your vehicles, and then our remarketing experts determine the appropriate value. From there, we handle the entire fleet remarketing process, including any inspections and fees associated with selling.
It depends on your needs, but our most popular vehicles for residential care include the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Voyager, and passenger buses.
We offer a GuaranteeBUY program, where we offer you a guaranteed price up front for your vehicles and handle the entire process for you, including market research and outreach, resale strategies, pricing, and transfer of ownership. We also offer our Multi-Channel Remarketing option where we remarket your vehicles on your behalf using multiple sales avenues, including closed auction sales, physical and online auctions, specialty auctions, and retail and wholesale.
Yes. Our team will arrange the pickup and transportation of your vehicles.
We take over all risk and handle the entire process for you, including, market research and outreach, resale strategies, pricing, and transfer of ownership. There are certain fees associated with our Multi-Channel Remarketing option. Under GuaranteeBUY, all fees are covered by Merchants Fleet.
With our GuaranteeBUY fleet remarketing program, you can receive payment for your vehicles in less than one business week. Our Multi-Channel Remarketing program can take a few extra days (vehicles sell in an average of 18 days), but will give you the highest return for your vehicles.
If you need to extend the term on your vehicle, you have options! We offer month-to-month terms if you need to extend for a short period, or you also have the option to change your vehicle over to a long-term lease if you need a more permanent arrangement.
Yes. Our vehicles are insured by the renter. You should have insurance to cover $1,000,000 liability policy for each vehicle.
We will arrange for the transportation of your vehicle when you are ready to return them. When you are approaching the end of your contract, please notify your Merchants account manager via phone or email correspondence at least 7 days prior to your anticipated end date. This allows our logistics team to arrange and schedule the pickup, and transport of your vans from where they are located.
You will need to remove all magnets, stickers, or other cosmetic changes made to the vehicle, sweep the cargo area and cabin, and clean out any trash from the inside of the van. You will also need to complete a digital condition report prior to releasing your vehicles to the transporter.
Yes, we will cover all maintenance over the life of the vehicle. Our maintenance team will track and approve maintenance items. All manufacturer warranty items need to be brought to the appropriate dealership. Any maintenance or repairs that are a result of driver error or negligence fall under the renter’s responsibility.
Most commercial umbrella insurance policies will suffice. We do require our clients to have automobile liability insurance at a minimum of $1 million combined single limit per occurrence, as well as comprehensive and collision insurance.
Yes. We have options to structure your rental terms so that you can convert to a long-term lease or buy out your vehicles.
We only rent vehicles for commercial use.
Yes. Our fleet rental programs can include custom mileage options so that you can travel to and from wherever you need.
Our pickup truck rentals can be used for off-road use. However, our car and van rentals are not available for off-road use.
Once the contract is signed, you will receive your vehicles within 5 to 7 business days.
Our process takes an average of 3 to 5 days, which includes performing a credit check.
Call or email your customer service representative if you have questions about any of your programs or services. Merchants Fleet customer service representatives are highly experienced and will quickly connect you with the information you need.
Our Merchants Fleet consulting team combines industry experience, analytical skills, big data, and the latest fleet technologies to provide tailored solutions across the entire fleet lifecycle. Whether you are looking to reduce costs, enhance corporate sustainability, upgrade fleet policies, or improve driver behavior, we will develop the most effective strategies to meet your goals. Our heavy-duty truck experts can assist you with vehicle selection and managing your reefer truck or van projects from start to finish.
Vehicle upfitting is what transforms standard cargo vans and trucks into reefer vans and reefer trucks. Turnaround times vary based on the on the number of vehicles and the size of the vehicles in which you need to upfit. Contact Merchants to discuss your upfit needs, and our team can provide more detailed information about potential costs and timeframe.
A fleet management solution will help your vehicles and drivers adhere to FDA regulations and ensure cargo is kept safe, secure and arrives without contamination and spoilage. Other benefits include: reducing operational costs, reducing administrative burden, lowering fleet repair costs, and ensuring the highest level of safety for you, your employees, and the customers consuming the products you transport. With FleetAssist and our administered maintenance program, Merchant Fleet can help even if you own your vehicles. Let our experts take on the day-to-day administration of your fleet, which frees up more of your time.
The Preferred Vendor Network is a collection of over 45,000 vendors nationwide who are among the elite service providers in the industry. All preferred vendors receive set payment terms and a payment method, which are selected during the application process and your facility is promoted to our clients in our on-line Vendor Locate tool. If you are working with one of our clients or have been contacted by one and are interested in learning more about the Preferred Vendor Network, please complete our Preferred Vendor Inquiry Form.
You will receive a follow-up email within 3-5 business days advising of any next steps.
It is not required for you to become a preferred vendor; However, we do have some clients that do not allow non-preferred vendors to service their vehicles in which case enrollment would be required to service their vehicles.
No, please just call Merchants Fleet at 877.870.4999 opt. 1 to start a repair order and our team will create a new profile at that time.
Currently, we offer access to the DataServ Vendor Portal to all vendors with designated Preferred Vendor status.
We offer our preferred vendors access to the DataServ Invoice Portal, which provides visibility to all invoices, including the date an invoice was received, and the status of the invoice. If you do not have DataServ access call 877.870.4999 to check your invoice status.
Yes, we will require you to email or fax an invoice to us once work is completed using one of the methods outlined above.
Yes. You would need to enter the vehicle information in Auto Integrate (AI) or call our Maintenance Department for approval. Please call 877.870.4999 Option 1.
We have an entire team dedicated to managing the license, title, and registrations of your fleet. Our experts understand all the intricacies and requirements pertaining to vehicle paperwork for all 50 states. We can help, no matter what you need — including title changes, specialty plates, interstate registration, and registration renewals.
Our license and title experts are assigned to specific states, which means they understand the laws, processes, and standards for registering and licensing your fleet vehicles. We also keep track of changes that occur from state to state, which means fewer errors and quicker turnaround.
A simple, consolidated billing pass through is placed on your Merchants invoice each month for any vehicles associated with any vehicles on your account.
Toll Management enables the use of all electronic and cashless tolling lanes. Fleet tolling is consolidated into one centralized account, which reduced or often eliminates costly toll violations and activates toll region interoperability.
With TollGuard, we systematically check for any toll violations, like when a transponder is not detected in the lane; we then pay them automatically to eliminate any violation fines.
Our electronic toll payment solution provides an easy, centralized way to control and process your toll expenses. Our solution is compatible with all in-vehicle transponder and license plate video toll recognition systems across the United States. Plus, our solution can help you save up to 50% on tolling expenses.
Telematics is a powerful tool that will help you manage expenses, productivity, compliance, safety, and more. You can use data to identify key areas of improvements; plus, Merchants Fleet telematics is easily scaled and customized to your specific business needs.
With telematics, you can view data from the vehicle’s engine, drivetrain, instrument cluster, and other subsystems. You can also monitor driver behavior, including braking habits, speed, after-hours usage, and acceleration.
Telematics will streamline ELD logging procedures, reduce paperwork, and facilitate quicker inspections, which makes it easy to stay compliant with the latest ELD regulations.
With a fleet management solution, you can streamline processes, improve fleet safety and maintenance, and enjoy faster deployment to job sites. You can also monitor all your equipment, track fuel management and manage driver behavior.
Our consulting team can help tell if EVs are right for you through AdoptEV, our EV adoption solution that helps you get from concept to execution. We’ve made significant commitments to OEMs, and we’re on the front lines to get vehicle allocations and ensure there is EV availability for our clients.
Common van upfitting requests include installing partitions, lights, ramps, and lift gates. We also focus on safety improvements and performance enhancements, including anti-slip flooring and storage unit installation. Common truck upfits include floor drawers, pickup truck hitches, hitch accessories, ladder racks, roof racks, boxes, and cargo trailer equipment. No matter what you need, our vehicle upfitting engineers will work diligently to get the job done on time and efficiently.
It depends on your needs, but our most popular vehicles for residential care include the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Voyager, and passenger buses.
A fleet management solution will help keep you and your residential care community running safely and efficiently. Benefits include: reducing operational costs, reducing administrative burden, lowering fleet repair costs, and ensuring the highest level of safety for you, your employees, and your residents. Plus, even if you own your own vehicles, we can help! Merchant Fleet can add fleet management services to help with administration time and manage operational costs. With FleetAssist and our administered maintenance program, our experts take on the day-to-day administration of your fleet, which frees up more of your time.
Yes. We have options to structure your rental terms so that you can convert to a long-term lease or buy out your vehicles.
Yes. We have a full team of upfitting experts who can add vehicle wraps and logos to your rental vehicles. With our short-term rentals, these upfitting services are performed at the clients’ expense, and the upfits cannot affect the condition of the vehicle. At the end of the rental terms, the vehicle must be returned to its original condition.
Telematics combines GPS technology with integrated communications, providing real-time and historic data about your vehicles and driver behavior.
There are many ways to reduce your total cost of ownership. Examining fuel costs, idling, driver behavior, maintenance patterns, and vehicle lifecycle can all lead to opportunities for improvements. Merchants Fleet strategic consulting has a team of analytics-minded experts who can examine your fleet data to identify ways to make meaningful changes to your fleet operations. Learn more about fleet consulting.
FleetShare is the Merchants Fleet car sharing technology solution. Drivers utilize wireless card access and online reservations, so they just activate their card, reserve a vehicle, unlock it, and go. By empowering drivers to book vehicles for only the time they’re needed, you can reduce idle time and right-size your fleet. Learn more.
TotalView is Merchants’ proprietary fleet management platform that gives you detailed, up-to-the-minute data about your fleet. It offers a wealth of vehicle-specific information, customizable dashboards, and more. Our experts have designed it to give you the information you need to make informed, data-based decisions, ultimately lowering your total cost of ownership (TCO). Learn how TotalView combines with our consulting to help you optimize your fleet.
Determining the optimum time to replace your fleet vehicles can help you avoid costly maintenance, keep your drivers happy, and preserve remarketing value. When to replace your vehicles depends on a variety of factors, such as maintenance, mileage, utilization, and more. Merchants Fleet strategic consulting can examine your company’s unique data to identify opportunities and make a recommendation. Learn more about fleet consulting.
Discounts and benefits include low, guaranteed fixed rates, tax-exempt leasing and registration, and unique lease structure. There are also options for flexible payment terms. Contact our team at Merchants to learn more about specific discounts.
We have developed a variety of service packages to meet your company’s needs. With our full maintenance program, you pay one fixed monthly payment, and we handle everything. The fee never changes, no matter how much we work on your fleet. Administered maintenance enables you to pay for repairs as you go. Reserve maintenance allows you to pay a fixed amount each month, and at the end of the lease term, all bills are reconciled, and the account is balanced. The final option is tailored maintenance, which is a customized solution for your fleet.
Failure to properly maintain your fleet can result in serious safety and compliance problems, business downtime, loss of revenue, and high repair costs. Fleet maintenance will help keep you and your business running safely and efficiently.
Discounts and benefits include low, guaranteed fixed rates, tax-exempt leasing and registration, and unique lease structure. There are also options for flexible payment terms.
If you need to extend the term on your vehicle, you have options! We offer month-to-month terms if you need to extend for a short period, or you also have the option to change your vehicle over to a long-term lease if you need a more permanent arrangement.
Yes. Our vehicles are insured by the renter. You should have insurance to cover $1,000,000 liability policy for each vehicle.
Choose from any of our 45,000+ preferred nationwide vendors, and if your vehicles are unable to leave your facility, we’ll schedule an ASE-certified technician to visit your location to service your vehicles. You can also find repair locations on-the-go with our mobile app. Plus, if you enroll in our Merchants Fleet Roadside Assistance program, your drivers have a toll-free number to call day or night in the event of a maintenance emergency. What is included will depend on your fleet maintenance program.
Merchants Fleet has extensive experience working with franchises, hotels, resorts, and other businesses that require specific standards for their fleet branding. We will deliver a wrap that is both high-quality and compliant with your standards.
Merchants Fleet has an in-house upfit engineering group. We act as a single point of contact among you, your drivers, and the OEM so you can get the upfit you need, when you need it. Whatever your criteria may be, we will make it happen.
Merchants Fleet has an in-house team dedicated to managing licenses, titles and registrations. We work in all 50 states, and license and title staff are assigned to specific states so the proper documentation can be processed efficiently. Learn more here.
A fleet management solution will help keep your business or organization running safely and efficiently. Benefits include reducing operational costs, reducing administrative burden, lowering fleet repair costs, and ensuring the highest level of safety for you and your employees. Plus, even if you own your vehicles, we can help. Merchants Fleet can add fleet management services to help with administration time and manage operational costs. With FleetAssist and our administered maintenance program, our experts take on the day-to-day administration of your fleet, which frees up more of your time.
When it comes to connected vehicles, you’ve already paid for the intelligent hardware when you purchased it. Every gigabyte of data output by your vehicle contains insights to help potentially lower TCO and improve driver safety. If you’re not collecting and analyzing this information, it’s going down the drain.
Learn more: Add Value to Your Business Through Integrated Fleet Data | Merchants Fleet
There are more than 13 million connected vehicles in the United States, and over 90% of new cars sold include this technology. While it’s easy to estimate that most 2020 MY vehicles and newer are connected capable, we’d be happy to review your fleet and pinpoint which vehicles can advantage of connected technology and where you still need a legacy telematics plug in device.
With a connected vehicle, telematics capability is already built into the vehicle including the cellular modem and advanced computer systems. Using these onboard systems reduces the costs associated with device installs and prevents device tampering.
Having your fleet connected allows for ease of access to the date as it will all live in TotalView through TotalConnect.
Fleet accident management services includes seamless claims processing, repair and subrogation recovery, and coordinating loaners vehicles. Plus, no matter when accidents happen, your drivers will have 24/7 support.
With TotalView, our fleet management software, you can access purchase order data and key reports. We can also set you up to receive email or text-based preventative maintenance alerts to help ensure your vehicles stay on the right track.
A fleet management solution will help keep you and your company running safely and efficiently. Benefits include reducing operational costs, reducing administrative burden, lowering fleet repair costs, and ensuring the highest level of safety for you and your employees. Even if you own your own vehicles, we can help. We can add fleet management services to assist with administration time and manage operational costs. We can also help you manage the implementation of electric vehicles.
A fleet management solution will help keep you and your residential care community running safely and efficiently. Benefits include: reducing operational costs, reducing administrative burden, lowering fleet repair costs, and ensuring the highest level of safety for you, your employees, and your residents. Plus, even if you own your own vehicles, we can help! Merchant Fleet can add fleet management services to help with administration time and manage operational costs. With FleetAssist and our administered maintenance program, our experts take on the day-to-day administration of your fleet, which frees up more of your time.
Yes. We have a full team of upfitting experts who can add vehicle wraps and logos to your rental vehicles. With our short-term rentals, these upfitting services are performed at the clients’ expense, and the upfits cannot affect the condition of the vehicle. At the end of the rental terms, the vehicle must be returned to its original condition.
Merchants Fleet offers two different remarketing options: GuaranteeTRAC®, which gives you a guaranteed price up front, or OpenTRAC®, where Merchants Fleet remarkets your vehicles on your behalf. Depending on your lease, you may also be able to use our fleet buyback program or extend your terms.
Choose from new and late model cargo vans, flatbeds and pickup trucks, and a variety of EV options. Specific models include the RAM ProMaster, Chevy Express, GMC Savana, Ford Transit, Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500, Isuzu 16’ Box Truck, and many more. If you can’t find the commercial vehicle you need, please contact us to check our availability.
We offer multiple trim levels of popular full-size pickups including the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, Ram 1500, and a wide selection of commercial trucks, including ½ ton, ¾ ton, 1 ton, and EV models. We also offer cargo vans, which are a great option if you’re looking for a business truck rental with more space since cargo vans are designed with storage in mind.
Our truck rental custom packages allow off-road use and towing. Some vehicles may be better suited for certain terrain or towing capabilities, so it’s best to contact us to discuss your specific situation.
Delivery timelines vary depending on the make and model selected and the level of upfitting required. Our acquisitions and upfitting teams will work with you closely to keep you apprised of vehicle production timelines for your orders.
Our analysts can help you evaluate this based on industry trends, forecasts, and third-party research. Our remarketing programs can help you get the most value.
We provide a variety of leasing and funding to meet your needs. Closed-end leases offer a fixed monthly payment. An open-end lease gives you complete leasing structure flexibility. If you have purchased your own vehicles, we can add fleet management services.
With a closed-end lease, you control your costs and minimize risks. You never have to worry about market price volatility, rate fluctuations, or seasonal resale influences. At the end of your closed-end lease, you will only be responsible for excess mileage and damages.
An open-end lease gives you complete leasing structure flexibility. This is ideal if you want a plan that’s as close to vehicle ownership as possible, but with all the benefits of leasing. You retain the equity in your vehicle, with a long-term structure to pay for your fleet.
If you need to extend the term on your vehicle, you have options! We offer month-to-month terms if you need to extend for a short period, or you also have the option to change your vehicle over to a long-term lease if you need a more permanent arrangement.
Yes. Our vehicles are insured by the renter. You should have insurance to cover $1,000,000 liability policy for each vehicle.
We will arrange for the transportation of your vehicle when you are ready to return them. When you are approaching the end of your contract, please notify your Merchants account manager via phone or email correspondence at least 7 days prior to your anticipated end date. This allows our logistics team to arrange and schedule the pickup, and transport of your vans from where they are located.
You will need to remove all magnets, stickers, or other cosmetic changes made to the vehicle, sweep the cargo area and cabin, and clean out any trash from the inside of the van. You will also need to complete a digital condition report prior to releasing your vehicles to the transporter.
Yes, we will cover all maintenance over the life of the vehicle. Our maintenance team will track and approve maintenance items. All manufacturer warranty items need to be brought to the appropriate dealership. Any maintenance or repairs that are a result of driver error or negligence fall under the renter’s responsibility.
In most cases, deposits are not required.
We will help you arrange shipping through our nationwide network of delivery partners.
Yes. Our short-term vehicles are insured by the renter. You should have insurance to cover $1,000,000 liability policy for each vehicle.
The number of vehicles your company is able to rent will be subject to credit approval.
Most commercial umbrella insurance policies will suffice. We do require our clients to have automobile liability insurance at a minimum of $1 million combined single limit per occurrence, as well as comprehensive and collision insurance.
Yes. We have options to structure your rental terms so that you can convert to a long-term lease or buy out your vehicles.
Yes. We have a full team of upfitting experts who can add vehicle wraps and logos to your rental vehicles. With our short-term rentals, these upfitting services are performed at the clients’ expense, and the upfits cannot affect the condition of the vehicle. At the end of the rental terms, the vehicle must be returned to its original condition.
Yes. Our fleet rental programs can include custom mileage options so that you can travel to and from wherever you need.
Once the contract is signed, you will receive your vehicles within 5 to 7 business days.
Our process takes an average of 3 to 5 days, which includes performing a credit check.
The shortest fleet rental program we offer is 1 month. However, our clients will be responsible for transportation fees for rentals that are less than 90 days.
Merchants Fleet is flexible and works with fleets of all sizes. We have worked with large enterprises that need nationwide coverage, small and medium-sized businesses that need a turnkey solution, and businesses that need short-term and seasonal options. We have also worked with a wide variety of industries, including specialized programs for government, academic institutions, summer camps, work trucks, and hospitality transportation.
Merchants Fleet believes in a tailored approach and understands leases are not a one-size-fits-all product. We will work with you to determine exactly what you need for lease funding. Some of our options include open-end, close-end, short-term leasing, re-leasing, and value leasing. We also offer fleet buyback and vehicle acquisition programs. Learn more here.
Merchants Fleet offers leases as short as a few months, up to traditional lease lengths. Our team can help you determine the optimal lease duration for your individual needs.
Merchants Fleet works with manufacturers and dealers nationwide. Your sales executive will work with you to determine your needs and get your vehicles as soon as possible. However, timeframes may vary according to the type of vehicle you need, your specifications, and manufacturer timelines.
Merchants Fleet offers two different remarketing options: GuaranteeTRAC®, which gives you a guaranteed price up front, or OpenTRAC®, where Merchants Fleet remarkets your vehicles on your behalf. Depending on your lease, you may also be able to use our fleet buyback program or extend your terms.
Typically an electric vehicle will have fewer maintenance visits than an ICE vehicle, but the number will depend on the make and model. The manufacturer of your electric vehicle should have a recommended maintenance plan, which we encourage you to follow, but if you have any questions, our EV consultants can help.
It depends on the specific make and model and your driving habits, but in general, EVs have lower total maintenance costs over their lifespan.
All users must establish a username and password for access to mobile applications.
If you have already established these credentials, but have forgotten your password, please utilize the “forgot password” link within the application.
Most mobile applications provide payment capability by adding a credit card to the app.
Many public charging stations also provide credit card swipe capabilities to pay for charging.
ClearCharge™ Public allows drivers to easily find the nearest charging station and includes turn-by-turn navigation to the destination.
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.
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.
Yes, just as there are incentives and tax credits for EVs, they are also available to help cover the cost of charging equipment and installation. Under the Qualified Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Tax Credit, certain new electric vehicles are eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500 for individuals.
This indicates that this charger is not part of the Electrify Fleet network. You can only use chargers that appear on the map in the app. To locate another charger within the network, refer to the map in the app.
If the station has a QR code, you can scan the code within the app to initiate a charge. If the station does not have a QR code, you will need to identify the station in the map within the app and select it to start a charge.
There are a variety of networks tied into the Electrify Fleet app. To include all networks, roaming is set as a default to maximize the number of stations available to you. To maximize the options for your drivers, always make sure roaming is on.
No, with the Electrify Fleet app, you do not need a key fob. A charge can be initiated within the app at any charging station shown.
The listed station power is a maximum charging rate that station can provide, but several factors can cause your EV to charge at a slower rate. Usually, the charging rate is limited because the vehicle is limiting the charging rate. The most common causes of a lower rate are:
Refer to your owner’s manual for your vehicle to learn more.
Yes, Tesla models can charge at any station in the Electrify Fleet app, as long as your driver is equipped with the proper adapter for the proprietary Tesla charging port.
Level 3 equipment, also referred to as DC fast chargers, use high-voltage DC power to charge your vehicle. Most Level 3 chargers can provide an EV with 80% charge in about 30 minutes, but this will vary depending on the specifics of the charger and your EV’s battery capacity. Level 3 chargers are being deployed across the United States in public or commercial settings.
Level 2 equipment offers charging at 208 or 240V AC. Level 2 charging equipment is compatible with all-electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles (PHEV). Depending on the battery capacity and technology used in the vehicle, Level 2 charging generally takes between four and 10 hours to completely top-off a fully depleted battery.
Yes, you can control your notification settings from your account page. There you’ll be able to select whether you receive notifications via SMS or email.
Charging Basics
If you are having trouble with a charging station, please contact us using the customer support form in the app or call our 24-hour driver support line at 1-866-816-7584. [LD1] If the issue cannot be resolved over the phone, our team will assist you in locating an operational charging station nearby.
For most stations, you can simply unplug the charger from your vehicle to end your session. For some DC fast chargers (Level 3), you may need to hit a stop button on the charger to end your session.
Yes, as a courtesy to other drivers trying to use the charge station, we ask that you move your EV once your charge is complete. Please note that some locations may charge additional fees if you leave an idle EV plugged in after it has completed charging. Pricing policies are listed on the station port screen in the app. Drivers can turn on notifications from your account page to receive an SMS and/or email once their charge is complete.
All charging station fees are set by the operator – most public chargers have a pricing policy, while some allow drivers to charge for free. The most common pricing policies are structured to charge for the energy consumed (kWh) or the time spent charging. Some stations in busy locations may also charge additional fees for vehicles left connected to the station beyond a set period of time. You can view the pricing policy within each station’s info page in the mobile app. Simply scan or manually enter the station’s QR code to view the station info and pricing policy.
There are two ways to start a session when you arrive at an Electrify Fleet network charger. Your driver can use the QR reader to identify a charging station and begin their charge or select a charging location from the map, choose a connector, and start the charge from the connector description page.
The Electrify Fleet app grants your drivers access to our large network of public chargers across the United States. It was developed to be the only tool your drivers need for charging their EVs on the go – delivering a seamless, empowering experience that reduces the downtime of your electric fleet. With Electrify Fleet, you can easily locate the nearest charger and start and pay for a charging session at the public charging station of your choice, without needing to download another application or fumble for a payment card.
Every vehicle displays this information differently, but the in-car display should indicate vehicle charging status. Many EVs provide a status light near the charging connector or at the top of the dashboard to display the charging status and level of charge.
Warranty lengths differ by manufacturer and product. Please contact the charging station provider to discuss warranty details or to submit a warranty claim.
The default setting on some vehicles is to end charging sessions when the vehicle is charged to 80%. Consult your owner’s manual for how to change this setting if charging above 80% is required.
Please check the product information provided with your charging station and your vehicle. The amperage level of the charging station, the size of electrical circuit it is installed on, and the vehicle settings and battery level at time of charge all contribute to determining the speed your vehicle will be charged.
Please contact your charging stations’ provider for support:
ChargePoint 24/7 support – 1.888.758.4389 or get help online.
Enel X Way support – 1-844-584-2329 or get help online.
Certain vehicles require an adapter for charging. Please see your vehicle owner’s manual to determine if an adapter is required to use the charging station.
Have you recently updated your password? If so, please be sure this information is correct in the mobile app and an old password is not being added by an auto-fill process.
Are you having trouble accessing other mobile applications from your phone?
Please contact your charging station provider if your inability to access the mobile app persists.
Charging stations do not have a reset button or on/off switch. Turning off the circuit breaker for the charging station is the only way to remove power to the unit, but this should only be performed by a licensed electrician.
Check the connection to the vehicle to be sure connector is fully plugged in.
If your vehicle requires an adapter, be sure the adapter is fully secured to the charging station’s connector and this connector is fully plugged into the vehicle.
Check the in-vehicle display for any error messages.
Check your charging provider’s mobile app for any error messages.
Contact the charging provider for assistance:
Contact your facilities department or landlord to determine if the power loss is part of a larger building power loss situation.
If the power loss is isolated to the charging station(s), please contact the charging station installer or another licensed electrician to determine the cause of the power loss.
Charging stations display status lights on the front of the charging station. If there are no lights displayed, there is no power running to the charging station.
Yes! Our EV experts offer consulting services to help you find models that are a great fit for your fleet and your budget. We can also help you acquire the latest models like the BrightDrop Zevo 600 electric cargo van and Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup truck.
Reservations are open now for ClearCharge DropStation with deliveries starting in Q3 2023.
All major credit cards are accepted. Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Wex are not supported at this time.
With the goal of helping fleets go electric across the country, at this time we are only offering charger infrastructure services to organizations that have adopted or are looking to adopt EVs.
To ensure compatibility and warranty with the OEM, ClearCharge Work projects can only be supported when sourcing hardware through Merchants Fleet.
Our approved installer network is available throughout the United States.
All users must establish a username and password for access to mobile applications.
If you have already established these credentials, but have forgotten your password, please utilize the “forgot password” link within the application.
Most mobile applications provide payment capability by adding a credit card to the app.
Many public charging stations also provide credit card swipe capabilities to pay for charging.
Every vehicle displays this information differently, but the in-car display should indicate vehicle charging status.
Many EV’s provide a status light near the charging connector or at the top of the dashboard to display the charging status and level of charge.
Please contact your Fleet Manager or HR Department to understand your company policy on charging stations.
Chargepoint Home Flex Equipment – 3 Years
Qmerit Installation – 1 Year
The default setting on some vehicles is to end charging sessions when the vehicle is charged to 80%. Consult your owner’s manual for how to change this setting if charging above 80% is required.
Please check the product information provided with your charging station and your vehicle. The amperage level of the charging station, the size of electrical circuit it is installed on, and the vehicle settings and battery level at time of charge all contribute to determining the speed your vehicle will be charged.
ChargePoint 24/7 support – 1.888.758.4389 or get help online.
Certain vehicles require an adapter for charging. Please see your vehicle owner’s manual to determine if an adapter is required to use the charging station.
Have you recently updated your password? If so, please be sure this information is correct in the mobile app and an old password is not being added by an auto-fill process.
Are you having trouble accessing other mobile applications from your phone? Check your cellular and/or WIFI connections to ensure you have adequate signal. Try restarting your mobile device and attempt to log in to the mobile app after the restart.
Please contact your charging station provider if your inability to access the mobile app persists.
ChargePoint 24/7 support – 1.888.758.4389 or get help online.
Check your home’s internet access – Consult your internet service provider if your home internet is not functioning properly.
Wi-Fi password confirmation: Have you recently changed your Wi-Fi password? Be sure to update this in your charging stations mobile device.
If home internet is functioning properly and the charging station is still not connecting to Wi-Fi, please contact the charging station’s manufacturer for support.
ChargePoint 24/7 support – 1.888.758.4389 or get help online.
There is no reset button or on/off switch on the charging station. Turning off the circuit breaker for the charging station is the only way to remove power to the charging station.
Check the connection to the vehicle to be sure connector is fully plugged in.
If your vehicle requires an adapter, be sure the adapter is fully secured to the charging station’s connector and this connector is fully plugged into the vehicle.
Check the in-vehicle display for any error messages.
Check the ChargePoint mobile app for any error messages.
Contact the charging station provider for assistance: ChargePoint 24/7 support – 1.888.758.4389 or get help online.
Please contact the certified electrician that completed the installation. If you do not have your installer’s information, please contact Qmerit Concierge service at 1.888.272.0090.
Charging stations display status lights on the front of the charging station. If there are no lights displayed, there is no power running to the charging station.
If the charging station does not have power, please contact the certified electrician who completed the installation for assistance. If you do not have your installer’s information, please contact Qmerit Concierge service at 1.888.272.0090.
ChargePoint uses Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates in a formula that derives the gasoline savings from how much energy your charging stations have provided to EVs, which is a measure of how many miles have been driven on electricity instead of gasoline. Here are the estimates used in the calculation:
GHG savings calculations are based on the energy dispensed through each organization’s charging stations. ChargePoint estimates how far an EV can travel using the energy from the stations, calculates the emissions caused by generating this electricity and compares this with the emissions that would be generated by a gas-powered vehicle going the same distance.
Learn more about GHG emissions calculations.
All users must establish a username and password for access to mobile applications.
If you have already established these credentials, but have forgotten your password, please utilize the “forgot password” link within the application.
Most mobile applications provide payment capability by adding a credit card to the app.
Many public charging stations also provide credit card swipe capabilities to pay for charging.
Every vehicle displays this information differently, but the in-car display should indicate vehicle charging status.
Many EV’s provide a status light near the charging connector or at the top of the dashboard to display the charging status and level of charge.
Please contact your Fleet Manager or HR Department to understand your company policy on charging stations.
Chargepoint Home Flex Equipment – 3 Years
Qmerit Installation – 1 Year
The default setting on some vehicles is to end charging sessions when the vehicle is charged to 80%. Consult your owner’s manual for how to change this setting if charging above 80% is required.
Please check the product information provided with your charging station and your vehicle. The amperage level of the charging station, the size of electrical circuit it is installed on, and the vehicle settings and battery level at time of charge all contribute to determining the speed your vehicle will be charged.
ChargePoint 24/7 support – 1.888.758.4389 or get help online.
Certain vehicles require an adapter for charging. Please see your vehicle owner’s manual to determine if an adapter is required to use the charging station.
Have you recently updated your password? If so, please be sure this information is correct in the mobile app and an old password is not being added by an auto-fill process.
Are you having trouble accessing other mobile applications from your phone? Check your cellular and/or WIFI connections to ensure you have adequate signal. Try restarting your mobile device and attempt to log in to the mobile app after the restart.
Please contact your charging station provider if your inability to access the mobile app persists.
ChargePoint 24/7 support – 1.888.758.4389 or get help online.
Check your home’s internet access – Consult your internet service provider if your home internet is not functioning properly.
Wi-Fi password confirmation: Have you recently changed your Wi-Fi password? Be sure to update this in your charging stations mobile device.
If home internet is functioning properly and the charging station is still not connecting to Wi-Fi, please contact the charging station’s manufacturer for support.
ChargePoint 24/7 support – 1.888.758.4389 or get help online.
There is no reset button or on/off switch on the charging station. Turning off the circuit breaker for the charging station is the only way to remove power to the charging station.
Check the connection to the vehicle to be sure connector is fully plugged in.
If your vehicle requires an adapter, be sure the adapter is fully secured to the charging station’s connector and this connector is fully plugged into the vehicle.
Check the in-vehicle display for any error messages.
Check the ChargePoint mobile app for any error messages.
Contact the charging station provider for assistance: ChargePoint 24/7 support – 1.888.758.4389 or get help online.
Please contact the certified electrician that completed the installation. If you do not have your installer’s information, please contact Qmerit Concierge service at 1.888.272.0090.
Charging stations display status lights on the front of the charging station. If there are no lights displayed, there is no power running to the charging station.
If the charging station does not have power, please contact the certified electrician who completed the installation for assistance. If you do not have your installer’s information, please contact Qmerit Concierge service at 1.888.272.0090.
Merchants Fleet can supply organizations with a report to detail the amount of electricity used by each home charging station.
Each organization is responsible to define how they will reimburse employees for electricity used for home EV charging.
Drivers should contact their organization’s Fleet Manager or HR Department to discuss the company policy on home charging reimbursements.
Once the home charging station installation is complete, Merchants Fleet will dispatch a welcome email to each driver to enroll in the ClearCharge Home portal. This enrollment links each home charging station to the organization’s online portal.
The charging station serial number, installation address, charging station status, usage data and driver name are among the items shared with the ChargePoint portal.
Yes. Each charging station must be connected to a WIFI signal to communicate with the charging network’s online portal to provide charging session data to your organization.
The licensed electrician who performs the home assessment will identify this information and make recommendations to support an effective home charging solution.
Home EV chargers require a 240V electrical connection. The licensed electrician assigned to a project will determine a cost effective and reliable approach to any given set of conditions in a home.
Merchants Fleet partners with a national charging station installation partner to facilitate home EV charger installations. This partner will identify a licensed, local electrician to provide a home assessment and installation quote for each home identified for the ClearCharge Home program.
Once your company is enrolled in ClearCharge Home, the timeline will depend on the scope of work required for each installation. The licensed electrician providing the quote can also discuss the timeline required to perform each installation.
A typical process timeline for an installation through the ClearCharge Home program is 6-8 weeks.
Merchants Fleet will work with your organization to establish program specifics including a project approval process and cost thresholds. This process will be followed for each installation quote received under your program.
While every home installation is different, the ClearCharge Home program has a tiered pricing structure for home installations across the U.S. Each installation is reviewed by a licensed electrician to identify the cost tier for each home installation.
Merchants Fleet is currently partnering with ChargePoint for ClearCharge home installations.
Contact Merchants Fleet to request details about the ClearCharge Home product and talk with an expert about how to implement this within your fleet.
ClearCharge Home is a turnkey solution for home EV charger installations provided by Merchants Fleet.
Our customer service representatives can help answer your fleet management questions and discuss your specific needs.
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