By David Brown, Associate Vice President APAC, Geotab
2024 was a transformative year for Australia’s fleet and heavy transport industries. From the 3G shutdown to the rise of the NVES and emerging Chinese vehicle manufacturers, the sector has experienced significant shifts.
As we move into 2025, there is a huge opportunity for the industry to embrace transformative trends in AI, data privacy, and fleet sustainability, which will help tackle evolving demands in safety, cost management, and operational efficiency. Here are my top seven predictions for 2025:
- Customised telematics becomes mainstream.
Telematics is the standard for fleet success, and in 2025, it will shift towards customised insights to meet unique needs to stay competitive and efficient. 2025 will be about quality data insights, open platforms and ecosystem partners adding specialised solutions for better outcomes. In Australia, this shift will be driven by the increasing demand for tailored solutions that address fleet-specific challenges, such as managing compliance with Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws and improving fleet safety on regional and remote roads. 2025 will be about quality data insights, open platforms, and ecosystem partners adding specialised solutions for better outcomes. Local fleet operators are also likely to prioritise sustainable practices, leveraging telematics to optimise routes and reduce emissions in line with Australia’s decarbonisation targets. - Vehicles and telematics will become more integrated than ever.
2025 will see the continuance of taking big data sets and making that digestible for the fleet managers through the integration of OEM telematics data into the Geotab ecosystem, giving us the ability to collect data from lots and lots of different vehicle types. In Australia, where fleets often include a mix of light commercial vehicles, heavy trucks, and specialised equipment for industries like mining and agriculture, this enhanced integration will be crucial. It will also help Australian fleet managers navigate the unique challenges of managing vehicle performance in harsh environmental conditions and over vast distances, making operations more efficient and cost-effective. - Automated workflows will improve productivity.
The biggest opportunity for the heavy transport industry in 2025 would be integrated workflow within a business between their siloed software solutions, which allows for efficiencies through integration as fleet managers can see more data from a greater range of systems. Industry collaborations like our partnership with Logmaster will make work for everyone in the industry easier, whether they are drivers, fleet managers or bookkeepers. - Fleets can unlock greater savings through tax credits and rebates.
Some of the best savings’ opportunities for the industry come from unlocking government support through credits or rebates, such as Fuel Tax Credits. Many organisations just aren’t taking advantage of these initiatives because of the stringent record-keeping requirements needed to claim them. Using telematics and making the most of quality partners like KPMG, as well as the many options found on our marketplace really can make a fundamental difference with organisations and their confidence to move forward with a tax claim. - Efficiency will shift the focus of sustainability.
In 2025, sustainability will look different for every fleet, but the common thread is efficiency. More focus will be on optimising operations—whether through electrification, smarter routing, or reducing idle time—to save both resources and costs. These factors are particularly important for Australian fleets, with a fledgling but rapidly expanding EV charging network providing greater opportunities for fleets to decarbonise. - More attention to advancing driver well-being.
In 2025, fleets will focus on proactive training, in-cab tech, and near-real-time feedback to enhance driving skills. Rewarding good driving behaviour will boost engagement and retention, helping fleets attract and keep top talent in a competitive market. Truckers make up the backbone of Australia’s economy and ensures goods get to where they need to be when they need to be. Ensuring they can do so safely is critical to any fleets’ operations and keeps companies at their most efficient. - Shifts in technology will drive innovation.
The 3G shutdown has happened, but there’s still many fleets out there who haven’t transitioned yet or haven’t actually got telematics. For those still on 3G-enabled technology, the jump to the next generation of telematics means better functionality and integration with the most modern software integrations. This technology opens the door to many possibilities in improving a fleet’s operations, so it’s our job to let them know what telematics is, and how it can help their business.
As we move into 2025, the fleet and heavy transport industries in Australia are poised for transformative growth. Advances in telematics, automation, and sustainability will not only drive operational efficiency but also ensure safety and compliance in an ever-changing regulatory environment. By embracing customised solutions, deeper data integration, and innovative practices, fleet operators can unlock significant opportunities for cost savings, environmental impact reduction, and workforce wellbeing.
