According to the 2022 State of Sustainable Fleets study, 85% of fleets that have embraced alternative energy vehicles, such as battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), propane, and compressed natural gas, want to increase their usage for a third consecutive year. According to a poll, 67% of fleets want to purchase BEVs this year2.

Fleet managers, operations executives, and commercial vehicle drivers will be expected to provide greater value with their current resources starting in 2023 and beyond. More than ever, they will depend on connected fleet platforms to enhance safety, save operating expenses, boost effectiveness and compliance, and maximize asset productivity.

As loan rates rise and the possibility of a recession increases, maximizing the value of fleet cars and equipment assets has become a popular strategy. Here are six themes that will influence the transportation sector in 2019 and beyond and encourage innovation, reduce risk, and increase efficiency.

Use video telematics to promote safer driving.

In the next year, prosperous fleets will need video telematics. The install base for video telematics in North America was estimated by Berg Insight to be 2.9 million units in 2021 and 6.5 million units in 2026. Your telematics capabilities may be improved by adding a dashboard camera. This helps to provide detailed and important safety information.

A dashboard camera and a safety program can help keep your fleet and drivers safe, whether they are utilized in a heavy-duty truck or an electric car. It enables fleet managers to keep an eye on driver conduct, improve security, and even track fuel economy. Insurance prices may be reduced by 10–20% via direct or indirect means by driver safety technologies, such as video telematics.

Among a dash camera’s other features are the following:

• Driver instruction and safety reward programs for on- and off-road driving.

• Drivers may defend themselves against false allegations with the use of video evidence and recordings of accidents and collisions.

Sustainability of the Fleet Becomes a Core Principle.

According to some scientists, this year’s CO2 emissions will probably reach a record high. According to many, the slowing down of the economy, the switch to electric cars, and renewable energy initiatives all have an effect on leveling, if not dramatically reducing, carbon emissions. The need for change has been recognised by governments all over the globe, and some of the top, most successful mobile enterprises have modified their business models.

This is the year to build or improve your fleet sustainability management plan, if you have been considering doing so. Your rivals are most likely already considering or have implemented the idea of making their fleets greener. Reducing or combining trip numbers is one method for reducing the economic, social, and environmental effects of automobiles.

• Reducing the fleet’s size.

• Watching how long you idle.

• Limiting reckless driving.

• Asset management.

• Sharing of vehicles.

Any firm must have an environmental sustainability plan in place. The application of sustainable methods should include community involvement, technological uptake, and financial decision-making.

Become more environmentally conscious.

According to the State of Sustainable Fleets study, major corporations are collaborating with their carrier partners to lower supply chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in response to customer demand and regulatory demands. These corporations include IKEA, Walmart, and Nike.

To reach net-zero aims by 2050, these businesses and several more aim to cut carbon dioxide and GHG emissions by 80–100%. Do you know if your company is capable of meeting this challenge?

Reduce Fuel Consumption and Carbon Emissions by Electrifying Your Fleet

Electrifying a fleet may significantly increase an organization’s bottom line while also advancing environmental objectives. This year, businesses will start the process of electrifying their fleets as more EVs hit the market. Organizations may benefit from government rebates and incentives as well as meet their sustainability goals, such as lowering CO2 emissions, by implementing electrification projects.

Furthering fleet electrification, EV battery costs are falling, battery life is extending, and in 2023, a considerable expansion of the charging infrastructure is planned.

Prices for EV batteries are falling, battery life is extending, and a considerable expansion of the infrastructure for charging EVs is anticipated in 2023. Home EV chargers are expected to be the next asset type that fleet managers will oversee, according to AutomotiveFleet.com. For a number of years, fleets will probably include both ICE-powered cars and EVs, thus implementing a telematics system to monitor and manage both is essential. Despite the expensive cost of cars, batteries, and charging, BEV demand outpaces supply due to restricted manufacturing.

Improve the lifecycles of assets and vehicles.

Due to the pandemic and geopolitical unrest during the last several years, challenges in the automotive supply chain have prolonged the time it takes to deliver new vehicles and equipment. Despite the optimism of industry experts about faster car deliveries, pre-pandemic rates won’t return for another year or two.

Until this issue is resolved, it is imperative to maximize your present cars as a defense. Fleet managers will have access to insights with context about vehicle usage, fuel consumption, and driving behavior by integrating maintenance scheduling with other telematics data. Thus, your whole fleet’s productivity should be increased as a result.

The Evolution of Mobile Vehicle Management and Shared Vehicles

Fleet managers are learning fresh techniques for asset optimization. Analysts have anticipated that drivers would increasingly use their mobile devices to automate commercial vehicle regulatory checks, pay at fuelling and charging stations, and monitor the condition of their vehicles.

Fleet managers can monitor driver vehicle checks without using paper, which is often misplaced or subject to error, thanks to digital transformation. Driver productivity may be tracked via allocated key fobs, RFID cards, barcodes, cameras, or other authentication techniques.

Recover stolen cargo and vehicles.

By the end of September, there had been close to 750 000 car thefts, the highest annually since 2008. When fleet cars are stolen, their cargo is often the main concern; the actual vehicle is usually merely a bonus. Dual-facing video dashcams in particular may assist in demonstrating the theft to your insurance provider. They often aid law enforcement in locating car thieves as well.

Authorities may follow a car while it is being used unlawfully and reclaim it when it is parked or abandoned with the use of GPS management and vehicle tracking equipment. It is crucial to teach dispatchers on how to react if a driver abruptly deviates from the planned route and to educate drivers on how to respond to approaching would-be robbers.

Fleet management has a promising future.

For fleet managers, this year will be brimming with fresh chances to boost productivity, boost fleet safety, and save expenses. These advantages may assist fleets in realizing cost savings and ROI advantages as companies deal with rising borrowing rates and the potential for an economic slump.