2026 State of the Industry Report Reveals ContinuedEV Hesitation in Mobile Compressed Air Industry

The 2026 State of the Mobile Compressed Air Industry Report reveals continued hesitation toward electric service vehicle adoption, with under 6% of respondents planning to purchase electric vehicles.

Despite ongoing investment and development across the electric vehicle market, adoption intentions among service fleet professionals have changed little over the past year. The 2026 findings show that practical operating requirements continue to influence fleet purchasing decisions, particularly for vehicles working in demanding or remote service environments.

Range limitations remain the leading concern, cited by 67% of respondents, followed by charging time at 57%, charging infrastructure availability at 55%, and vehicle cost at 49%. Reliability also remains a significant concern at 37%.

The findings are largely unchanged from 2025, suggesting that many of the challenges surrounding electric service vehicles are becoming persistent operational considerations rather than short-term barriers. Respondents also identified concerns related to cold-weather performance, remote jobsite access and vehicle upfit compatibility.

“Electrification will continue to be an important part of the commercial vehicle industry, but adoption has to align with the operational realities of the work being performed,” said Mike Pettigrew, VMAC Marketing Manager. “For service fleets, the decision is ultimately about whether a vehicle can reliably support the full workday, including driving to remote jobsites and powering auxiliary equipment and the tools technicians depend on. The industry will move toward electrification as the technology and supporting infrastructure demonstrate they can consistently meet those requirements.”

The findings reinforce the importance of evaluating emerging vehicle technologies against actual duty cycles rather than adoption targets alone. Service fleets often operate differently from passenger vehicles, travelling to remote locations, carrying specialized equipment and relying on onboard power systems to complete work in the field.

The broader 2026 report shows that service trucks and vans remain central to mobile operations, with more than 76% of respondents operating these vehicles. Fleet operators also continue to prioritize proven equipment and vehicle configurations while balancing productivity, reliability, operating costs and long-term asset utilization.

While interest in electrification remains, the 2026 findings indicate that most fleets continue to prioritize proven diesel and gasoline vehicles for service applications. For vehicle manufacturers, equipment suppliers and upfitters, the results highlight the importance of developing technologies that can support both established vehicle platforms and the industry's longer-term transition toward electrification.

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Explore the full results of the 2026 State of the Mobile Compressed Air Industry Report for free at www.vmacair.com/survey.