The top 3 emerging fleet trends in 2023

This year, more than 600 fleet professionals participated in the Verizon Connect 2023 Fleet Technology Trends survey. Their responses yielded powerful insights fleets can use to improve their operations, including these three emerging fleet tech trends.

Trend #1: Easing into EV adoption

According to the 2023 Fleet Technology Trends Survey, fleets have been slow to adopt electric vehicles. Only 17% of fleet respondents reported using them — and the majority of them said EVs were only a small part of their fleet makeup.

A major barrier to EV adoption for many fleets is a lack of charging infrastructure. Even though fleets may have found EVs desirable due to reduced emissions and the low cost of powering them, without charging stations along their routes it simply wasn’t feasible.  

But soon, this could change.

The passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law devotes significant funding to establishing EV charging infrastructure, making EVs more accessible for fleets in the future. It will take time for this infrastructure to be built out, but now is the time to start planning.

It’s important for fleets to take a thoughtful approach to EV adoption. Fleet technology can help. GPS fleet tracking software can help fleets:

• Determine which vehicles should be replaced with EVs
• Develop an optimized EV charging strategy
• Compare costs between EVs and other fleet vehicles
• Optimize routing as they add EVs to the lineup

Trend #2: Fighting false claims with video

Fleets know all too well that their vehicles are moving targets for false accident claims. Unwarranted claims can be incredibly costly, especially if the case goes to court. Some fleets fall victim to “nuclear verdicts,” damage awards exceeding $10 million.

AI dashcam video solutions give fleets the best tool to protect themselves from false claims and the costs that come with them. Armed with video footage of both the inside of the cab and outside of the vehicle, fleets have indisputable evidence to exonerate drivers and protect their business from false claims.

Among users of video solutions, 91% found them beneficial. The top goals achieved through use of video technology included:

• Improved driver safety 
• Protection from false claims 
• Reduction of accidents
• Reduced insurance costs

Achieving these goals helps fleets boost safety while reducing costs related to insurance, accidents, and false claims. It’s also helping them see a return on their investment, and sooner than one might expect.      

To find out more about ROI and see a ranking of the goals survey respondents achieved by using video technology, download the 2023 Fleet Technology Trends Report. 

Trend #3: Using asset tracking to enhance equipment and trailer performance

This year, asset tracking emerged as the technology to see the highest percentage increase of new users. The number of respondents using the technology jumped from 23% last year to 29% this year — and 96% of those users found it beneficial.

Asset tracking uses GPS to provide fleets location information for heavy equipment, trailers, and high-value assets. It also provides valuable data like:

• Engine hours and maintenance history for loaders, cranes, dozers and backhoes
• When equipment is due for inspection
• Whether a trailer is loaded or empty
• How productive a piece of equipment is 

Asset tracking helps fleets achieve goals related to productivity, utilization, and security, which could explain the rise in adoption. Respondents reported improved:

• Equipment/trailer utilization
• Efficiency/productivity for drivers/workers
• Equipment/trailer security
• Efficiency/productivity for office staff/management

Fleets are using GPS asset tracking to better utilize their valuable assets — both equipment and employees — while helping fleets recover valuable assets. This tech helps fleets do a better job of meeting customer demands and cuts costs as well. 

The 2023 Fleet Technology Trends Report reveals which goals survey respondents achieved with asset tracking and how quickly they saw an ROI as a result. Download the report here to see the asset tracking ROI results. 

Discover more technology trends to advance your fleet

The 2023 Fleet Technology Trends Report uncovers even more ways fleets are using technology to overcome business challenges, achieve their goals, improve operating efficiency, and drive down costs.