Van fleets are chiefly adopting connected vehicle technology due to the security and driver safety benefits, Arval has found.
Its latest Mobility Observatory Barometer quizzed UK operators on the main reasons why their fleet as connected by telematics. Responses included to locate vehicles or improve security (41%), improve driver safety or behaviours (34%), improve operational efficiency (28%), reduce fleet costs (27%), reduce environmental impact (7%), avoid ‘not allowed’ usage (4%) and optimise vehicle sharing (2%).
Shaun Sadlier, head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said that improving security and knowing the location of vehicles was perhaps the most obvious and immediately useful aspect of telematics.
“Being aware of where your vehicles are at any moment brings very clear operational advantages in terms of real-world operational efficiency and minimising security issues.
“However, there is also strong recognition of the role that the technology can play in helping to keep drivers safer by monitoring how they behave in real-world conditions,” he added. “Knowing everything from how long drivers are spending behind the wheel to whether their driving style could increase the risk of an accident or increase wear on the van is a real advantage.”
Sadlier also noted that just 7% of respondents said connected vehicles could help them to reduce their environmental impact.
“This would seem to be an obvious use of the technology in terms of monitoring, for example, fuel use across difference routes, drivers and vehicles – and its subsequent impact on your corporate CO2 footprint.”
A related question in the Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer looked at fleet penetration, with a total of 41% using connected van telematics, ranging from 26% of companies with fewer than 10 employees to 44% of those with more than 1,000.
While connected van penetration remains relatively high in UK fleets, Sadlier highlighted the marked difference between larger and smaller employers.
“This variance is relatively easy to account for, with larger concerns adopting a more structured approach to gathering accurate data about their fleets as part of a generally more sophisticated approach to fleet management, which may be due to the employment of dedicated fleet professionals.”
Is your fleet connected to a telematics tool?
| Total | Fewer than 10 employees | 10-99 employees | 100-999 employees | More than 1,000 employees | |
| UK | 41% | 26% | 36% | 59% | 44% |
| Europe | 27% | 24% | 26% | 30% | 28 |
What are the main reasons why your fleet is connected by telematics (choose two options)?
| UK | Europe | |
| To locate vehicles or improve security | 41% | 35% |
| To improve driver safety or behaviour | 34% | 25% |
| To improve operational efficiency | 28% | 28% |
| To reduce fleet costs | 27% | 26% |
| To avoid ‘not allowed’ usage | 4% | 17% |
| To optimise vehicle sharing | 2% | 9% |
| To reduce environmental impact | 7% | 8% |
Arval Mobility Observatory carries out its research of key trends in the fleet and mobility sectors every year. The 2022 Barometer talked to fleet decision-makers in 26 countries; the findings here are from the UK responses. More details are at: bnpp.lk/AMO14-telematics
