A new global study on fleet digitization reveals that most fleet managers expect to implement AI within five years. AI, machine learning, and EVs are anticipated to have the most significant impact. The study also indicates that fleets plan to increase their investment in digital technologies over the next half-decade.
Fleet Managers Expect AI and EVs to Have Biggest Impact on the Future of Fleet Management
The majority (58%) of fleet managers expect to use AI within the next five years, according to a new global study to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Webfleet. The research, commissioned by Bridgestone’s globally trusted fleet management solution, was conducted among 1,800 fleet managers across 15 countries to shed light on the current and future landscape of fleet digitisation1. The findings show that fleets plan to increase their investment in digital fleet solutions in future and indicate significant planned adoption related to AI and EV technologies.
“The move towards digital solutions, including AI, is a clear indication of where the future of fleet management is headed,” said Jan-Maarten de Vries, President of Fleet Management Solutions at Bridgestone Mobility Solutions.
“Our study reaffirms the critical role that digital fleet solutions play in increasing fleet efficiency, reducing costs and enhancing driver and vehicle safety. It’s clear that investment in these technologies will only continue to grow.”
Vast Majority of Fleet Managers Want to Invest More in Digitisation
A recent survey reveals that 91% of fleet managers anticipate increasing their investment in digital fleet technologies within the next five years. The primary motivation for this investment, cited by 52% of respondents, is the potential for improved efficiency and reduced operational costs. Additionally, 49% of fleet managers emphasized enhanced driver and vehicle safety as a key reason for adopting fleet management technology.
AI and EVs Expected to Have Most Significant Impact on Fleet Management in Future
AI, Machine Learning, and EVs are viewed as the technologies that will have the biggest impact on fleet management’s future. 32% of fleet managers said AI and machine learning will have the biggest impact on fleet management in the next years, closely followed by electric vehicles. Unsurprisingly, 23% of fleet managers are already using AI today, and 35% plan to use AI within the next five years.
Optimizing routes, planning, and logistics will be AI’s main use, which will improve driver safety and enhance predictive maintenance and asset management. Some fleet managers are apprehensive about AI’s global sweep and how it will change their working day, with main concerns on process integration and data privacy and security.
Electric Vehicles Are the Future for Commercial Fleets
Fleet managers confirm that electric vehicles are the future for commercial fleets, with EV adoption only increasing in the coming years, with 85% of fleet managers expecting the number of electric and hybrid vehicles in their fleet to change in the coming five years. Among those that say their vehicle mix will evolve, there’s an expectation that the amount of EV and hybrid vehicles will almost double – going up from 37% to 63% of the fleet by 2029.
“Artificial Intelligence and electric vehicles are transformative technologies for fleet management now and in the future. By leveraging these advancements, we are committed to support fleets driving safety, sustainability, productivity, and efficiency,” De Vries concluded.
