Solutions in focus
Generative AI, autonomous driving and connected tyres
In this section, we put some of the technologies discussed in this paper under the microscope to gauge the full opportunity they offer for fleet businesses.
We look at the game-changing potential of AI-enabled fleet management, investigate whether fleet managers see autonomous driving as a short-term reality or a long-term possibility, and see why fleet managers value connected-tyre technology.
AI enabled fleet management
As we saw in the Trends in 2024 chapter, fleet managers expect AI and machine learning to be the technologies that have the biggest impact on their business in the coming five years. AI in fleet management is no buzzword—it’s already powering many of the most advanced digital solutions in the marketplace.
Today, AI-enabled dashcams alert drivers when they identify risky driving behaviour like smoking, fatigue or phone usage. Predictive maintenance analyses vehicle data to predict potential issues before they occur, minimising the risk of downtime and lowering maintenance costs. And advanced algorithms optimise route planning for faster delivery times and reduced fuel consumption.
But this is just the beginning. It’s certain that AI will only become a greater enabler of more powerful fleet solutions in the future.
Do you have any plans to use AI in any part of your fleet management operation?
We currently use AI in our fleet management
We don’t currently use AI in our fleet management but plan to in the next five years
We don’t currently use AI in our fleet management but may at some point in the future
We have no plans to use AI in our fleet management
Globally, 58% of fleet managers either already use or plan to use AI in their work in the coming five years. Only 9% say they have no plan to use it at all.
Country-to-country there are, again, some interesting variations. The most enthusiastic countries about AI are Belgium, Australia, Colombia, Italy, Mexico, South Africa and the USA. In all of those regions, over 60% of fleet managers either use it or plan to use it soon.
The research results paint a broader picture of the hesitancy among UK businesses to adopt AI. The survey indicates that 9% of the respondents in the UK have no intention of utilising AI in the future. However, while 43% are not currently employing AI, they anticipate doing so in the distant future. This data suggests a significant portion of UK businesses are yet to fully embrace the potential of AI.
Furthermore, due to market maturity, leading UK businesses are taking a cautious, long-term approach to AI integration, expecting a 1–2-year timeline for meaningful impact. These factors collectively contribute to a slower AI adoption rate in the UK business landscape, including potential hesitation among fleet managers.
On a scale of 1 to 5, how concerned are you about the impact AI might have on your role as a fleet manager?
As we see, only 23% of fleet managers say they are particularly concerned about AI and its influence on their role.
Not concerned
Extremely concerned
Introducing the Webfleet AI Assistant
The Webfleet AI Assistant leverages the power of generative AI to deliver faster, more precise datadriven insights to fleet managers. Instead of digging through a series of reports or playing with a set of filters to get to the bottom of a complex issue, fleet managers can simply ask their Webfleet AI Assistant and receive the exact overview they need in seconds.
Autonomous driving
When, if ever, do you expect to have any fully autonomous vehicles in your fleet?
Within the next 5 years
5-10 years from now
More than 10 years from now
Never
While past predictions regarding how quickly both level 4 (high automation) and level 5 (full automation) autonomous vehicles (AVs) would reach widespread adoption have not been realised, the concept and potential for driverless mobility remains an exciting one for fleet managers. Generally, we see optimism relatively high regarding when they will be using at least one AV in their business.
It should be underlined that there is significant country-to-country variation in this data. Recent research reveals that 34% of fleet managers surveyed in the UK anticipate incorporating fully autonomous vehicles into their fleets. This finding aligns with the impending legislation on autonomous vehicles, which is expected to be implemented in the UK as soon as 2026. This is after the recent passing of the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act which became law in May 2024. This is another drive forward to complement previous legislation set in place by the UK Government such as the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 and the Practice for Automated Vehicle Trialling set by the UK Department of Transport.
The new legislation will likely accelerate adoption by providing a clear framework, fostering innovation and ensuring safety standards.
Connected tyre technology
What are the most compelling benefits of connected tyre technology for your fleet?
Improved safety and reduced risk of accidents
Reduced maintenance costs and downtime
Longer tyre lifetimes
Enhanced sustainability and lower emissions
Lower fuel costs
By delivering real-time data from the tyre to a telematics platform, connected tyres represent one of the most effective uses of IoT in fleet management. Equipping tyres with connected sensors allows for a new level of tyre management and monitoring, enhancing efficiency, safety and cost reduction.
Here we see that, while there are multiple benefits to equipping your vehicle with connected tyres, safety is the most compelling driver for fleet businesses. With real-time monitoring of tyre pressure and temperature, fleet managers are empowered to work proactively to reduce the risk of accidents happening and keep tyre performance at an optimal level.