Fleet News Group reached out to industry experts to explore how technology will shape fleet management in 2025. With advancements in artificial intelligence, telematics, and evolving safety protocols, fleet managers are expected to leverage technology more than ever to enhance efficiency and ensure compliance. The coming year will see digital tools becoming indispensable in optimising fleet operations.
Evolving Safety Standards and ANCAP Protocols
Fleet safety has always been a priority, but 2025 will see further advancements driven by regulatory changes and evolving safety protocols. ANCAP has announced that eCall, an emergency call function, will be part of its future vehicle safety assessments.
Jules Snow, Head of Connected Vehicle Services at Intelematics, highlighted: “eCall, which is mandatory in Europe, will provide an extra layer of safety and reassurance to fleet employees when on the road. By adopting eCall, fleet operators will be demonstrating that the safety and well-being of their employees is a top priority.”
Autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control are now more common in fleet vehicles. Mike Costello, Corporate Affairs Manager at Cox Automotive, commented, “The ubiquity of features such as autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, when well-tuned, have the potential to improve vehicle safety and reduce driver fatigue.”
However, the effectiveness of these features depends on user understanding. Chris Noone, CEO at Carly, raised an important consideration: “In-car technology should make cars safer, but do the beeps and bongs actually confuse drivers, especially when switching from one model or brand to another?” This highlights the need for better driver education alongside new technology adoption.
The Expanding Role of Telematics
Telematics has been around for over a decade, but its use in fleet management is becoming more sophisticated. Fleet Managers now have access to an overwhelming amount of data, and the challenge is making it actionable.
Rohan Martin, CEO at NALSPA, stressed this point: “Where to start! There is plenty of data and plenty of promoted benefits. While the technology is broad-brush, it is only beneficial when you have a specific problem you are trying to solve; otherwise, fleets can find themselves swamped in data, increased costs, and no tangible benefit achieved.”
Telematics provides insights into vehicle usage, driver behaviour, and maintenance needs, helping fleet managers optimise operations. Andy Mulcaster, Chief Commercial Officer at SG Fleet, noted: “Telematics provide useful insights into how vehicles are used. This, in turn, creates opportunities to optimise asset utilisation, for example via vehicle booking systems and proactive or preventative maintenance.”
AI and Predictive Maintenance
Artificial intelligence is set to play a bigger role in fleet management, particularly in the area of predictive maintenance. By using AI-driven analytics, Fleet Managers can anticipate maintenance issues before they result in costly breakdowns.
Jules Snow explained: “Predictive and proactive maintenance is an emerging innovation expected to scale up this year. By leveraging AI, telemetry, and live vehicle data, fleet enterprises or lease companies will be able to ensure their vehicles are safe before use and that there is minimal downtime caused by potential maintenance issues.”
This predictive approach reduces costs and increases efficiency by keeping vehicles operational for longer. According to Rohan Martin, “Improved data has assisted Fleet Managers in building meaningful dashboards and providing valuable insights into their fleet operations. Technology has been able to assist fleet managers to build these reports quicker and react more quickly to avoid costs, reduce risks, and optimise their fleet.”
Technology and Fleet Cost Optimisation
Cost control is a major concern for Fleet Managers, and technology provides various solutions to drive efficiency. Advanced data analytics allows for more precise tracking of fuel consumption, vehicle maintenance schedules, and asset utilisation.
Andy Mulcaster noted that telematics allows fleets to “address driving habits that are leading to higher fuel costs or excessive wear and tear.” By identifying trends in vehicle usage, fleets can implement targeted policies to improve efficiency and extend vehicle lifespans.
Centralised fleet management software also plays a crucial role in cost optimisation. Tania Pietsch, Smartfleet National Manager Client Services, explained: “Technology continues to transform fleet management, reshaping how fleet managers operate and make decisions. Tools like telematics and real-time data analytics provide actionable insights into driver behaviour, vehicle location, fuel usage, and overall fleet performance.”
The Evolving Role of Fleet Managers
As technology evolves, the role of Fleet Managers is shifting from operational oversight to strategic decision-making. With the adoption of AI, telematics, and digital tools, Fleet Managers are now expected to interpret data and provide recommendations for business efficiency and sustainability.
Mike Costello noted: “Jobs always change with time, and we would daresay running a fleet of vehicles is no different. Green vehicle targets, ANCAP policies, telematics, far more choice in brands, the growth of user-choosers leases, etc., are all examples.”
Fleet Managers are no longer just vehicle custodians; they are now key stakeholders in broader corporate strategies involving cost efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility. Rohan Martin emphasised: “Having a Fleet Manager who can provide cost-effective and regular, meaningful, and insightful data analytics/reporting remains paramount.”
Challenges in Technology Adoption
While technology brings many advantages, its adoption comes with challenges. Many Fleet Managers are overwhelmed by the vast amounts of data generated by modern vehicles and telematics systems. The key is filtering out noise and focusing on actionable insights.
Chris Noone pointed out another potential issue: “Technology can make things easier, but cars are getting more complex, are more expensive to repair, and EVs bring a plethora of new technology challenges.” As vehicles become more sophisticated, ensuring cost-effective maintenance will be a growing concern.
Additionally, privacy concerns related to telematics and AI-driven analytics are emerging. Companies need to balance the benefits of tracking driver behaviour and vehicle performance with ethical and legal considerations around data privacy.
Conclusion
Technology will play a defining role in fleet management in 2025. From AI-driven predictive maintenance to enhanced telematics and evolving safety standards, Fleet Managers must embrace digital tools to improve efficiency and safety.
The challenge, however, lies in effective implementation. As Chris Noone pointed out, “The fundamentals are still quite similar—buy and sell well, support efficiently in the field, identify issues before they escalate, and engage effectively with drivers and the support network.”
Fleet Managers will need to develop strategies that leverage technology for practical benefits, ensuring that data is actionable rather than overwhelming. The fleets that successfully integrate AI, telematics, and automation will gain a competitive edge in an increasingly complex industry.
