Recent findings from Teletrac Navman's Telematics Survey 2024 (TS24) reveal notable trends and challenges in the fleet management industry, with a focus on sustainability, safety, and operational efficiency. The survey takes into account insights from more than 500 global fleet businesses located in New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, with striking concerns about government commitment to zero emissions mandates and the need for improved driver safety technology.
An important revelation from the survey is the overwhelming scepticism concerning governments' commitment to zero emissions mandates, with less than half of respondents believing these will be realised. Furthermore, although two-thirds of global fleets are currently operating PHEV, BEV, or FCEV vehicles, transitioning to these technologies is still considered a substantial challenge, complicated by high vehicle costs and limited public charging options.
Despite these concerns, fleets are feeling pushed towards greener alternatives, with 65% of respondents admitting to feeling pressure to transition to alternative energy sources. According to TS24, the top three expenses for fleets are unstable fuel costs, equipment/vehicle maintenance, and purchasing new equipment/vehicles. However, the transition to alternative energy sources also presents problems, with respondents listing emerging technologies, the high cost of these new vehicles, and limited public charging points as primary obstacles.
Alain Samaha, Global President & CEO of Teletrac Navman, acknowledges the struggles companies may face during this transition and highlights a lack of credible information to help simplify the complex process. "Fleets of all sizes and scales are already planning and navigating their transition, but we know there simply isn’t enough credible information out there to help simplify what is a complex move for any business," he said.
Investing in driver wellbeing and safety technology is a priority for fleets in 2024. Half of the businesses surveyed monitor and measure driver behaviour, and one-third are planning on investing further in driver wellbeing technology this year. Teletrac Navman's research found a correlation between fewer on-the-job accidents and the adoption of telematics solutions, with 73% of respondents showing improvements.
The industry-wide shift towards operational efficiency is another key focus area, with 96% of TS24 respondents reporting measurable savings through telematics implementation. Despite this, surprisingly, only 43% of businesses feel they are utilising these tools to their full potential. Samaha recognises the importance of training and adaptation to technological advancements for enhanced efficiency. "Businesses are facing many different challenges now, with the great resignation leading to the higher turnover of people and therefore the need for more frequent training and handovers," he said.
Slow yet steady progress is being made in adopting advanced technologies like AI, with Samaha anticipating an increase in data-led and machine-learning applications in the near future. Nearly half (47%) of TS24 respondents are currently leveraging AI solutions, highlighting the industry's gradual acceptance of these innovative tools.