Stay fleet-footed: Learn how telematics, IoT, AI, electric vehicles and other fleet management trends are bringing revolutionary change to the fleet management industry.
“The only constant in life is change” - so said the Greek philosopher Heraclitus 2,500 years ago. It’s an adage that will resonate with many of today’s fleet managers. Indeed, the pace of change within the fleet management industry has perhaps never been greater as we move out of 2024 and into 2025.
To help you keep your finger on the pulse of transformation, we’ve put together a list of fleet technology trends to look out for in the coming months.
Increased Use of Telematics and IoT
Accurate data is the lifeblood of any organisation, but especially so in the realm of fleet management. With this in mind, fleets are likely to lean even harder on telematics and Internet of Things (IoT) systems.
Benefits include:
- Real-time data collection for monitoring vehicle health, driver behaviour, and fuel efficiency.
- Integration with AI for predictive maintenance and optimised routing.
In short, these technologies will help fleet managers achieve greater levels of efficiency while cutting costs.
AI-Driven Predictive Maintenance
It seems every industry is jumping on the AI band wagon. But while this is sometimes simply window dressing in order to seem on-trend, in the world of fleet management, artificial intelligence really can help boost efficiency levels and reduce costs.
This is especially the case as regards predictive maintenance, which can help identify issues before they become big problems, which means larger, costlier repairs can be avoided, as can unexpected vehicle downtime.
Benefits include:
- Reducing downtime by predicting vehicle issues before they happen.
- Automating scheduling and parts replacement based on data insights.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Integration
Mass production electric vehicles have been around for well over a decade, but for various reasons adoption of the technology by fleets has been steady, if not slow. Cost of purchase and availability of charge points have been two major sticking points, but these issues have somewhat alleviated in recent years.
And with a ban on the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles set for 2035, fleet managers will need to begin integrating EV tech soon, if they haven't already. Of all the fleet management trends, this is one of the most certain and long-lasting.
Key points:
- Growing adoption of EVs in fleets due to environmental and cost benefits.
- Challenges and opportunities in building EV charging infrastructure for large fleets.
Automation and Autonomous Vehicles
The introduction of autonomous vehicles is arguably set to change the fleet management industry more profoundly than AI, although many autonomous systems will likely depend on AI tech as we move forward.
In the not-so-distant future, drivers are likely to be replaced by autonomous driving systems, which will of course cut labour costs dramatically, and should improve safety.
The possibilities for enhancing safety with autonomous tech were demonstrated recently when a Tesla automatically swerved to avoid hitting a pedestrian who had fallen into the road.
Key issues include:
- Pilots and gradual adoption of autonomous fleet vehicles for deliveries.
- Opportunities for reducing labour costs and enhancing safety in controlled environments.
Enhanced Safety and Compliance Fleet Technology
Telematics, in unison with data analytics and AI, is set to make running a fleet much safer. The most cutting edge systems can identify undesirable actions such as heavy braking, harsh acceleration and speeding.
Video telematics, meanwhile, can keep track of front and rear views, making it easier to apportion blame (and resolve insurance claims) in the event of an accident. The mere presence of this kind of fleet technology may keep drivers more focussed on safety.
Another big development is in-cabin video telematics, which can determine if a driver looks fatigued, and send alerts as necessary.
And then there are more established driver assistance systems, whose automated features can help identify rapidly-emerging threats and take preventative action.
Safety will always be one of the most important fleet management trends.
Key issues:
- Use of AI for driver monitoring to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
- Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for collision prevention.
Data-Driven Decision Making with Advanced Analytics
With access to advanced data analytics, fleet managers enjoy a top-down view of their entire fleet, which can be especially useful for larger operations with multiple vehicles.
Armed with this data, managers can identify patterns and problems - and allocate resources more efficiently.
For instance, data analytics might identify a particular vehicle as being off-the-road more often than others, in which case it may be time to replace it.
Key benefits:
- Leveraging big data to optimise fleet utilisation, fuel usage and asset management.
- Enhanced reporting capabilities for insights into vehicle performance and costs.
Sustainability and Green Initiatives
Every organisation needs to have an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policy in place. Aside from government regulations on things like emissions, the public in general want companies to do their bit for the environment, whether that’s through better fuel efficiency, alternative fuels or carbon offset initiatives.
According to Greenspark, a Deloitte report stated that “over 40% of consumers are actively choosing brands with environmentally friendly values, while 34% boycotting brands due to ethical concerns, sustainability is a prominent and growing factor in consumer shopping habits.”
Key issues:
- Focus on reducing emissions through alternative fuels and fuel-efficient practices.
- Increased interest in carbon-neutral fleets and offset programs.
Fleet Cybersecurity Measures
With so much critical data and so many users who need to access it, cyber security will be a big factor for fleet managers as we move into 2025 and beyond.
Users need to be able to access data quickly, but in the most secure way possible, harnessing multi-factor identification and other measures.
Key challenges include:
- Addressing cybersecurity risks in connected vehicles to prevent data breaches.
- Implementing security protocols for remote management and telematics systems.
Flexible and Shared Fleet Models
In some fleets, a shared fleet model might present an effective way of reducing costs and emissions. This could be an especially useful alternative to the ‘company car’ - where employees can access a pool of vehicles as required.
While this would be applied to work activities, vehicles could also be made available to employees in their personal time, which can help reduce overall fleet costs (assuming employees make a contribution to those costs).
- Adoption of shared fleet models for flexible, cost-effective asset usage.
- Integration with mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) for diverse transportation needs.
Supply Chain and Inventory Optimization
Efficient supply chain management has long been critical for successful fleets. The latest inventory tracking systems provide up-to-the-minute reports on stock levels, streamlining operations. This is in contrast to older approaches, which relied on manually (and periodically) updated spreadsheets.
Key benefits include:
- Real-time inventory tracking for efficient supply chain management.
- Integration with vendors for streamlined parts and inventory flow.
Embracing change in fleet management as we move towards 2025
You don't need to be a Greek philosopher to realise that big changes are afoot with the fleet management industry. The above trends highlight the transformative role of technology, sustainability and operational efficiency in the future of fleet operations.
As a fleet manager, keeping pace - and remaining fleet-footed - with these trends will present big challenges, but also offer big rewards.
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