A survey of 850 fleet operators across Germany, France, the UK, and the USA highlights rising costs, crisis-related risks, and CO₂ reduction as key challenges. Continental’s The Future of Fleets report details the full survey results.
The survey from Continental Shows Urgent Need for Action Of Commercial Vehicle Fleets for Sustainable Transformation
Nearly three-quarters (72%) of fleet managers recognize a need for substantial changes within their fleets to meet current industry challenges. This finding comes from a survey conducted by the market research company Dataforce on behalf of Continental, polling 850 fleet managers in Germany, France, the UK, and the USA.
Respondents identified key challenges, including rising costs (76%), economic uncertainties due to crises (46%), and the pressure to reduce CO₂ emissions (40%). The survey was conducted online between June and July 2024.
“Our digital tyre management solutions provide our customers with a valuable asset in this transition. With ContiConnect, fleets can operate more cost-effectively and sustainably, supporting their competitiveness,” says Clarisa Doval, Head of Digital Solutions at Continental Tires.
“Survey results highlight that cost pressure is the greatest challenge for fleet operators. Low margins, rising costs, and stricter emissions standards are reducing investment capacity, while wage developments and labour shortages add further strain,” explains Doval.
“Our digital tyre management solutions provide our customers with a valuable asset in this transition. With ContiConnect, fleets can operate more cost-effectively and sustainably, supporting their competitiveness.”
Survey Reveals Regional Differences in Challenges and Priorities
Rising costs and economic pressures are global issues. However, the Continental survey highlights that specific challenges differ considerably by region. For instance, 58% of German fleet managers view the transition to electric mobility as a hurdle, compared to only 23% of their U.S. counterparts. Additionally, 48% of German fleet managers report staffing shortages, versus a global average of 34%.
Over half (56%) of all surveyed fleet managers worry they will lose competitiveness within five years if they fail to adapt to changing conditions like rising costs, crisis-related challenges, or emissions regulations. This concern is exceptionally high in the U.S., where 81% of respondents expressed this sentiment, compared to only 22% in Germany.
Readiness to Invest and Innovate
Openness to change and adopting new technologies is essential to preparing fleets for the future. Globally, nearly 25% of survey respondents identify as early adopters, actively seeking and implementing innovations early.
About 44% are pragmatists, adopting new technologies only once they are well-established in the market. In comparison, approximately 32% consider themselves laggards, implementing modern technologies only after a delay or not at all.
Respondents reported that the primary barriers to adopting new technologies include high costs (63%), unclear return on investment (ROI) (29%), and the lack of a clear strategy (28%). Key factors that support technology adoption include ease of implementation (56%), user-friendliness (44%), and compatibility with existing systems (39%).
USA as a Leader in Technology Adoption
Data shows that U.S. fleet managers are more open to transforming and adopting new technology. In the U.S., 63% of respondents identify as early adopters, compared to an average of only around 20% in European markets. Engagement in the U.S. is robust in digital tyre management, with 62% having already invested or planning to do so soon – versus only about 19% in Europe.
“Intense competition in logistics, which is being further intensified by climate change and ongoing global crises, makes adaptability and resilience a decisive factor for success,” says Doval.
“At Continental, we create innovative solutions to enhance fleet efficiency, reduce costs, and promote sustainability. Tyres are a key factor in total operating expenses, and our digital tools for tyre condition monitoring deliver substantial long-term savings.”
E-Mobility and Digitalization as Key Future Technologies for the Industry
Electric mobility is considered a critical future technology across industries: 41% of respondents have already invested or are in the process of implementing it, with the figure exceptionally high in Germany at 50%. Across all survey participants, another 24% plan to invest in electric mobility within the next one to two years.
Fleet management software is also gaining prominence: 34% of respondents worldwide have already invested or are currently building this capability, with the U.S. leading at 67%. Other technologies on the horizon include advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which are already part of the strategy for 27% of managers. Artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous driving are currently lower priorities, with only 17% and 11% of managers investing in these areas, respectively.
Cost Efficiency, Safety, and Sustainability as Primary Goals
Companies have clear objectives in modernizing their fleets: cost reduction is the top priority for 65% of respondents, enhancing safety for drivers and other road users (44%), and improving sustainability through emissions reduction (43%). Reliability and minimizing downtime (41%) are also vital, as is compliance with regulatory requirements (35%).
