Key Trends and Innovations In Commercial Fleets For 2023

Fleets across the country have had to tackle unprecedented challenges in the past few years, including skyrocketing fuel prices, labour shortages, and supply chain disruptions. However, these hurdles also presented unique opportunities for innovation – including in the world of telematics.

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As we look ahead to the rest of 2023, fleet management technology trends will continue to shape the industry, helping fleet operators cope with the external pressures on their businesses. Understanding these trends will be crucial for fleet owners who want to maximize their success in the coming year, and beyond.

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The Continuing Rise of Dash Cameras

The reason dash cameras have proven to be so popular is that they provide a highly accessible way for individuals and businesses to record driving. They have also developed further to be able to monitor driving behaviour and even driver condition.

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Drivers are likely to be monitored more and more based on their actual driving performance, by using these cameras in intelligent ways. Better still, these cameras now integrate with certain telematics platforms, so you can get all your vehicle and driver info in one place any time you need it.

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5G Integration

5G is still being rolled out, but we’re going to see more widespread adoption of 5G across various applications, including fleet management. 5G’s ultra-fast speed and reduced latency will significantly benefit fleet companies, particularly in the realm of vehicle tracking and video transmission. 

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On the other side of the software, developers will continue to build platforms that have more features that rely on large data sets to be transmitted quickly. That could be AI and predictive analytics in driver behaviour to predict potential incidents – it really is a big deal.

Electric Fleets

With growing concerns about emissions and environmental impact, fleets are increasingly shifting their attention toward electric vehicles (EVs). Government investments in EV infrastructure, coupled with incentives and burgeoning regulations, are driving the adoption of electric vehicles. Rising global EV sales indicate that commercial vehicle owners will continue to embrace electrification, contributing to a greener and more sustainable transportation industry.

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Right now the technology is still developing, but while it does, support systems are needed so that fleet operators can effectively use electric vehicles without worrying about lower ‘tank’ range. That’s where mapping and telematics come in. Better routing, and vehicle tracking, are needed to make the most of the smaller ‘tanks’ that these vehicles have. By having clear data on potential range, actual range, and how much environmental factors impact these things, fleets can more efficiently operate within the current limitations of electric vehicles.

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Cost Control

While electric is the likely future of commercial and domestic vehicles, in the meantime, fuel prices are not expected to drop – quite the opposite in fact. Operating costs, like fuel, are a big driver for companies running commercial fleets. 

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Telematics solutions provide insights into fuel usage, engine idling, driving behaviour, and vehicle health, and can provide all this data for deeper analysis. With machine learning models growing in popularity, fleet operators will more readily be able to tap into the data collected by telematics systems to understand every factor impacting fuel consumption – and how to reduce it.

Staying Up To Date

The latest technologies available to aid and prioritise safety, driver retention, customer service, and fleet management are empowering fleet managers throughout the UK to tackle the traditional problems of running commercial vehicles, and modern telematics is becoming a huge part of that solution. 

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By staying informed of these trends, fleet managers can help protect their businesses from market fluctuations, gain a competitive edge, and maintain profitable, productive operations.

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Don't let your fleet fall behind in 2023. Stay ahead of the curve by embracing these key trends and innovations. Speak to Sentinel Systems today.