Fleet Leasing in 2026: What You Need to Know if a New Fleet Is on Your Radar

July 23, 2025

If your business is starting to think about new fleet vehicles for 2026, now’s the time to dig into the numbers, trends, and realities of fleet leasing. With interest rates, EV mandates, and resale markets constantly shifting, understanding how to build, refresh, or right-size your fleet can make or break your bottom line.

Here’s everything you need to know before signing your next lease contract—and how to make sure you’re not leaving money or flexibility on the table.

From retiring aging vehicles to choosing the right lease structure, here’s the complete guide.

When to Retire a Fleet Vehicle

Before you start adding vehicles, first ask: Which ones should we let go?

Here are some common indicators that it’s time to retire a unit:

Mileage over 125,000–150,000 miles (depending on class and usage)
Frequent breakdowns or rising maintenance costs
Safety risks due to outdated safety tech or worn components
Fuel inefficiency compared to new models with updated engine or hybrid options
Poor resale value trajectory (some vehicles depreciate faster than others)

Many fleet operators use a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model to evaluate which vehicles to retire. This weighs monthly costs, repair frequency, fuel consumption, insurance rates, and downtime against productivity and resale value. If costs exceed the value it brings, it’s time to move on.

How Lease Costs Are Calculated

Fleet leasing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s how most companies break down the monthly cost:

Vehicle Base Cost: MSRP minus fleet incentives or negotiated discounts
Depreciation Schedule: Based on the anticipated resale value at lease-end
Lease Term: Most commercial leases run 36–72 months
Residual Value: The expected worth of the vehicle when the lease ends
Mileage Cap (if applicable): Higher miles = higher depreciation = higher cost
Interest Rate / Money Factor: Varies based on credit profile and market rates
Maintenance/Telematics Add-ons: Optional bundles can add predictability or cost savings

Some companies bake maintenance or tracking into the lease—others let you manage those yourself. At CabCo, we let our clients decide. You can go fully managed with maintenance and telematics rolled in—or strip it down to just the vehicle and pay only for what you need.

Lease Structure Options

In 2026, you’ll find several common lease structures:

Open-End Lease (TRAC Lease)
You control the resale value. Flexible mileage. Common in business and fleet applications.
Closed-End Lease
Fixed monthly cost. Mileage restrictions. Better for predictable usage and lower administrative work.
Finance Lease (Capital Lease)
Ownership option at the end. Appears on your balance sheet. Suitable if you plan to keep the vehicle.

At CabCo, we specialize in open-end leasing to maximize resale value and give clients more flexibility. Our team even monitors the resale market for you, so you know the best time to trade in or cash out.

Vehicles with the Most Reported Issues

Ram 2500 Diesel Models – Known for transmission and DEF system issues
Ford Explorer Interceptor (older models) – Cooling and electrical glitches in fleet-heavy models
Chevy Express/GMC Savana Vans – Still widely leased, but aging architecture and poor crash scores
Nissan NV Models – Discontinued but still floating in some lease pools—limited resale value

At CabCo, we guide clients away from problematic vehicles and help them select models with a strong resale trajectory, reliable uptime, and solid parts availability.

Why Leasing with CabCo Is Different

Most leasing companies force you into rigid terms and hide flexibility behind markups. That’s not how we do business.

Here’s what sets CabCo Fleet Management apart:

Flexible lease terms up to 72 months
Early exit options tied to vehicle value, not contract penalties
Nationwide resale and acquisition support
Access to all major makes and models (no brand limitations)
Optional telematics and maintenance—not mandatory
Transparent pricing, no hidden fees

And best of all, we offer some of the lowest monthly leasing costs in the country.

Looking Ahead

As 2026 approaches, fleet managers should be thinking proactively. Retire units before they become money pits. Use flexible leasing to protect your cash flow. Choose partners that don’t trap you in fine print.

Whether you’re growing your fleet or just updating a few units, CabCo is ready to help you build a smarter, leaner operation—with the support, options, and savings to match.

Let’s talk fleet. Schedule a discovery call with CabCo or give us a call at (877) 313-1514.

Because at the end of the day, the right lease can drive your business forward. The wrong one can leave you stuck on the side of the road.

Colt Steele/Fleet Leasing Manager

With a background in logistics and a boots-on-the-ground mentality, Colt brings grit, strategy, and a whole lot of horsepower to CabCo’s fleet operations. Whether it’s optimizing lease terms, cutting fuel costs, or helping clients navigate vehicle decisions, Colt runs fleets like a well-oiled machine. He doesn’t just manage vehicles — he moves businesses forward.

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Fleet Leasing in 2026: What You Need to Know if a New Fleet Is on Your Radar