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Old 10-23-2010, 06:43 PM   #70 (permalink)
slowmover
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 2,442

2004 CTD - '04 DODGE RAM 2500 SLT
Team Cummins
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I think a mixed fleet is a future. Problem is that it needs to be spread between a number of people (and the problems that entails, family or not). Big truck fleets that run the machinery 24/7 (called slip-seat or hot-seat) generate great numbers in utilization. Sitting idle makes little sense, beyond convenience. But as we move from, say, turbodiesels to electrics for our metro commutes (and strive to live, work, play in a smaller area) there is still a long period of transition; a decade or more. I've been thinking of this as money should go to a garage as bikes, scooters, cars, trucks can each and every one have a different drivetrain and/or fuel. And cannibalization will need to increase. Plus, an extended family needs a place to do heavy, dirty, greasy work. With significant available electrical. And security.

Transportation as a percentage of the average American housedhold income is now above 17%, highest it's ever been. A few years of that buys a pretty good garage, or, a better home closer-in (albeit smaller in size). As a garage devoid of multiple vehicles is also a workshop this idea has me looking at real estate differently: one car, several scooters, electric-assist bikes, other bikes, etc into one space. But many authorized users. Probably a designated drivers. Or the space is a home business.

One can point to the utility of any vehicle if well chosen, well-driven/maintained, but utilization kicks them all in the tail.

I'd stick with one vehicle. For now. Overhead is overhead, but the costs of several vehicles to one owner ties up options about time, money & expertise that may be better used elsewhere. Otherwise, the vehicles need to show a clear profit in use (beyond tax subsidization) to offset their own cost and that of another. Multiple vehicles sort of means, "Am I now in the livery business?". No matter the cost of fuel, the other costs outweigh it. Especially if only for non-income miles. Fixed costs will rise, of every type.

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