Technology is transforming the fleet management industry and shaping the way fleet operators go about their day-to-day management tasks. 2018 has been a key year for fleet technology with the advancement of existing tech and the introduction of new ideas.
Some of the main technological changes to keep an eye out for this year are;
- Autonomous vehicles - Manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz, have already unveiled prototypes for autonomous vehicles including HGV’s and other vehicles. Having a fleet of autonomous, self-driving vehicles will revolutionise the fleet industry in many ways. The transport sector is currently suffering from a driver shortage, so the introduction of autonomous vehicles could help to soften the effects of this. There are also possible health and safety benefits in having AI-driven vehicles.
- Fleet Management Platforms - More sophisticated telematics software is continuously being developed, allowing transport managers to access more data than ever before. With improved location tracking, and even braking and accelerating information available often in real-time. This kind of analytical data can help fleet managers provide useful training and insights to cut costs and improve efficiency across the business.
- Electric Vehicles - There has been increased investment in the development of electric vehicles to help reduce emissions and combat climate change. With many manufacturers setting targets for their electric vehicle output in the coming years, fleet managers are starting to prepare for the introduction of electric cars and vans into their fleets. Electric vehicles will have lower operating and maintenance costs than their fuel-based counterparts but the driving range of these vehicles is still posing a problem for many fleet managers.
