Fleet managers are continually learning how to adapt to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to the rise of new trends in the industry, including the adoption of fleet dash cam to enable managers to improve driver security, boost operational efficiency, and reduce costs. Read on for six commercial fleet management trends for 2022.
1. Demand for better safety measures
Safety is a vital concern for fleet management companies. Lack of strict security measures could result in vehicle or fuel theft, severe accidents, and car misuse. Managers are investing in fleet dash cams to monitor in-truck and out-of-truck driver activities on the road to ensure compliance with safe driving regulations. They are also conducting driver safety training and implementing fleet management software to help them receive real-time updates to respond to emergencies promptly.
2. Increased adoption of electric vehicles (EVs)
Fleet managers have been reluctant to operate fleets of electric vehicles, as EVs were deemed more expensive than fuel-powered cars and tracks. However, with the recent rise in fuel prices, upgrades in road infrastructure, road tax concessions, carbon monoxide initiatives, and the ban of gasoline and diesel in central states by 2030, fleet managers are slowly embracing electric cars.
There has been a surge in electric vehicle sales in 2021. This is expected to continue in 2022 and the upcoming years as more companies develop high-quality car models with innovative tools.
3. Rise of maintenance expenses
In the past few years, challenges in chain supply have resulted in the increased price of vehicle spare parts. There is also more vehicle complexity as cars integrate innovative technology, necessitating workshops to sought highly-skilled technicians, which can be expensive.
This, coupled with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic where vehicle technicians were out of work, has led to increased maintenance expenses. Vehicle technicians are expected to hike the maintenance even further in 2022 to make up for lost income during the pandemic and cater to the shortage of labor and the inflation of spare parts.
More from Business
- Reasons Why Your Outreach Efforts May Be Ruining Your Link Building Strategy
- Boosting Morale: Creative Employee Recognition Ideas For UK Organisations
- New CPOs In Post : The 90 Day Challenge with Kath Harmeston
- A Decade of Disruptions: Analysing Ryanair’s Flight Data
- The Role of Privacy and Protection in Offshoring
- Exploring Digital Frontiers: Smart Design and Marketing Strategies
- Crank Up the AC: The Link Between Temperature And Workplace Efficiency
- When Is The Best Time To Start A Business Statistically?
4. More measures to improve data security
Did you know there were over 318.6 million attempts of ransomware in 2021? According to research by checkpoint, cyberattacks rose by 50% each week in the previous year. This has resulted in more investment in employee security training, multi-factor authentication, encryptions, and robust company security protocols to ensure data security. Fleet managers are also hiring software vendors to host their asset and fleet management information to combat cyberattacks and threats.
5. More reliance on 5G technology
The move towards mobile fleet management to enable managers to access real-time data via their android devices has further been fueled by the introduction of the 5G technology. 5G technology improves the speed and stability of android devices’ connection. Other reasons why fleet managers are likely to keep relying on 5G networks in 2022 include:
- Better vehicle maintenance as 5G networks enable quick data transmission between software and car parts to allow real-time diagnostics.
- Efficient routing. 5G technology will enable fleet managers to alert drivers on emergency conditions on the road or even reroute them via fleet management software without downtime or delays.
- Real-time vehicle to vehicle applications. The network will enable drivers to share data on traffic, routes, and speed on time, making them more responsive to their surroundings.
- Improved network responsiveness. This allows efficient communication between managers, drivers, and clients
6. Increased technician and driver shortage
Over the past years, there has been a shortage of drivers and technicians. This worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruptions in the supply chain, leading to increased demand for divers and technicians. According to a Coyote research study, some of the reasons for driver shortage include:
- Driver openings demand more experience resulting in a skill gap among applicants
- Young drivers are not venturing into the industry, with 80% of the drivers being above the age of 45
- Increased competition from the warehousing industry, with only 38% of the warehousing jobs filled by employees above the age of 45
This is similar even for the technicians. Few technicians are ready to venture into the industry as the experienced ones retire, resulting in a labor shortage. Some of the reasons behind technician shortage include:
- The technology on the shop floor is not appealing to the younger technicians as they prefer using android phones and tablets over dealing with paperwork or sharing desktops
- Lack of career advancement opportunities
Endnote
Fleet management is an ever-evolving industry. Familiarize yourself with the above trends and implement them to improve efficiency and safety and reduce operational costs in your entity.
