VMAC’s 2025 Report Shows Rotary Screw Compressors Still Dominate Service Fleets

Service Trucks Continue to Rely Heavily on Air Compressors, Despite EV Headwinds and Economic Uncertainty

The 2025 State of the Mobile Compressed Air Industry Report, released by VMAC, provides a detailed look at how service professionals are deploying compressed air across North America. Survey results from hundreds of equipment repair, construction and municipal service professionals paint a clear picture: Rotary screw compressors remain dominant, Underhood systems are still competitive and handheld battery tools aren’t replacing pneumatic tools anytime soon. From the press release:

“We are proud to share this year’s report, which reflects the current state of the mobile compressed air industry and offers valuable perspective for business leaders across North America,” said Tod Gilbert, President of VMAC. “The 2025 survey results highlight both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the industry.”

Air Compressors Remain Essential

Air compressors are still the most important piece of equipment on service vehicles, according to the survey results. Nearly half of all respondents said air compressors are either the most critical tool on their truck or equally important as other core systems like cranes, welders and generators. Rotary screw air compressors were preferred by 72 percent of users, citing their reliability, compact footprint and continuous airflow as key benefits. Above-deck gas engine-driven compressors narrowly overtook Underhood systems as the most popular compressor type this year. Underhood remains popular for its integration and weight advantages, especially in municipal and van fleets.

Most Fleets Use Rotary Screw Compressors

Professionals favored rotary screw models for three main reasons:

• 78 percent said performance was the top deciding factor
• 36 percent cited compact size and weight
• 33 percent pointed to ease of service and overall reliability

This aligns with field needs: 79 percent of service vehicles need less than 100 cfm of compressed air. Higher demand was most common in construction and agriculture.

Handheld Compressors, Tow-Behinds Still Niche

Tow-behind and portable air compressors showed up in the survey but remain niche compared to vehicle-mounted options. Most fleets are leaning into built-in systems that integrate with trucks and vans. Handheld compressor use was also limited, as most users still rely on larger systems to run high-demand tools like impact wrenches and grinders.

Impact Wrenches Still Rule the Jobsite

Among air-powered tools, impact wrenches were used by 83 percent of respondents, followed closely by drills (81 percent) and grinders (68 percent). Despite advances in battery-powered tools, only 39% of respondents believe batteries will fully replace pneumatic tools. Trust in air remains strong.

Service Truck Growth and EV Skepticism

Three-quarters of respondents operate service trucks. Of those, 49 percent equip every truck with an air compressor. While service vans are still in play, their adoption has declined. Just 40 percent of fleets include vans, and most are keeping counts flat. Electric vehicle (EV) interest dipped again this year. Only 5 percent of survey participants had no concerns about EV adoption. Range anxiety, charging infrastructure and reliability topped the list of reasons fleets are holding back.

Outlook Remains Cautiously Optimistic

Despite lingering concerns over tariffs, labor shortages and economic volatility, 82 percent of respondents believe business conditions will improve or hold steady this year. Labor availability remains a top concern, though down slightly from 2024. From the press release:

“Each year, we update the survey to better reflect the issues facing mobile compressed air professionals,” said Mike Pettigrew, Marketing Manager at VMAC. “From evolving technology preferences to economic uncertainty, this year’s data underscores how resilient and forward-thinking this industry continues to be.”

About VMAC

VMAC (Vehicle Mounted Air Compressors) is one of North America’s leading manufacturers of compact, integrated air compressor systems. Based in Nanaimo, British Columbia, the company specializes in rotary screw air systems that mount directly to vehicles. Its Underhood, above-deck and multifunction compressor solutions are used in construction, utility, tire service and municipal fleets. VMAC started in 1986 and has grown through steady innovation and customer-focused engineering. Today, the company is known for building durable mobile air systems that support field operations in harsh conditions. Learn more at vmacair.com.

Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.

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