Verizon recently conducted a survey of over 600 fleet management professionals and they came up with some major trends to look out for in 2023. Their main findings included electronic vehicle (EV) adoption, fighting false claims with video, and using asset tracking to enhance equipment and trailer performance. In this article we’ll dive a little deeper into some other trends we see on the horizon for fleet management in the new year.
The rise of electric vehicles
As electric vehicles become more mainstream, they are going to be impacting fleet management more and more. While obtaining, analyzing, and acting on data are already fleet managers’ major tasks, EVs are going to increase the need for diligent management.
EVs are basically computers on wheels, and they are going to necessitate some new requirements. Fleet managers will need to understand where and when vehicles can charge their batteries, and drivers will require additional training. EVs also require heightened connectivity, more sophisticated software management, and with that, heightened security.
Managing Batteries
Fleet managers will need to understand how EV charging works in depth. EVs can take a long time to charge (think 8+ hours!) just to reach 80% capacity. That means fleet managers need to switch out vehicles for charging when they are not in use to ensure they are ready when they are scheduled for dispatch.
A lack of public infrastructure for EV charging in much of the United States (at the moment) is also going to necessitate an acute awareness of where charging stations are located, and how to ensure getting EVs to those stations on time without leaving drivers stranded.
Managing EVSE
Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) is going to be another thing for fleet managers to add to their list of things to consider when planning fleet movement. EVSE may be located on-site in the depot, or at drivers’ homes. They will need to be closely monitored and maintained to ensure vehicles are continuously adequately charged.
Fleet managers may also have to consider reimbursing drivers for home EV charging. Each vehicle will need to be equipped with application integrations as well to monitor costs by kilowatts, dwell time, and network access.
Increased use of data and analytics
With great power comes great responsibility, and with massive data comes massive expectations! With the increased use of data and analytics in general, plus the addition of EVs and even autonomous vehicles in legacy fleets, fleet managers are going to have to back up management decisions with the available data.
Investing in sophisticated fleet management software may seem like an expensive up-front cost, but ultimately it will give fleet managers the freedom to make the best decisions. When it comes time to justify upfront costs on technology, the data will make it clear that the bottom line will actually hold up. Fleet managers will become their organization’s heroes when they use big data to save on fuel and time.
Focus on supply chain security
2020 - 2022 showed us just how fragile supply chains are. Introducing new technology to the supply chain is a net gain for consumers yet striking a balance when it comes to resilience will be critical in the new year. Telematic data can help supply chain and fleet managers identify weak points in the supply chain and make changes to fleet movement accordingly.
In 2022 both supply and labor shortages caused public unrest and an increase in cybercrime within the transport industry. Those challenges are likely to continue in 2023. With supply chain disruptions due to increased e-commerce coupled with container shortages and port closures, fleet managers will need to harness the power of automation and big data in 2023.
With fuel prices volatile and freight rates rising worldwide, third-party logistics companies are going to see a rise in demand. Fleet managers should prepare by ensuring vehicles are adequately serviced and all maintenance is continuously up to date. Telematics technology can help aggregate the necessary data to do so.
Increase in focus on driver safety
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic fatalities reached a 16-year high in 2021. Fleet telematics technology will surely prove critical for keeping fleets operating safely in 2023.
Driver behavior monitoring is just the start. GPS tracking, geofencing, dashcams, and more AI-powered technologies will allow fleet managers to protect their drivers better than ever before. Driver scoring programs will even be able to include automated coaching or driving tips to help create positive driving habits. Increased training will also help fleet managers with driver retention through the use of positive encouragement and an open nod to a focus on safety.
The emergence of blockchain technology for fleet management
Blockchain is a data structure that allows for the decentralization of ledgers. Secure and transparent, when used with the right fleet management software, blockchain technology can help optimize fleet performance.
Blockchain could help fleet managers handle the massive amounts of data streams they will increasingly receive, and ensure its security. Blockchain will also play a major role in managing autonomous vehicles and secure vehicle network connectivity.
Those are just a few ways we at Rastrac see fleet management moving ahead in 2023. And we’re excited! We’re working hard to keep up with the improvements in fleet management and are here to help you as you implement new solutions.
Watch this space for more about how fleet management is revolutionizing!
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