Fleet and Mobility Trends for 2024 You Need to Know

With 2024 comes a new host of trends for the fleet management industry. From embracing further technological advancements to intensifying the commitment to sustainable practices, the year ahead brings a spectrum of exciting opportunities for fleet managers. However, it also introduces some fresh challenges that must be skillfully navigated in order to remain competitive.

To provide you with a well-informed outlook, we've compiled a list of the most prominent fleet and mobility trends for 2024 that you should know about.

Predictive Maintenance

Predictive maintenance stands out as a superior approach compared to traditional scheduled and reactive maintenance methods. By leveraging real-time fleet data and in-depth analytics, it regards actively monitoring a vehicle's condition, enabling accurate predictions of when maintenance will be required. 

This proactive approach facilitates timely repairs, which in turn minimises downtime while mitigating the substantial costs associated with emergency situations, and it’s for these reasons why more and more fleet managers will continue to adopt it. Today, the topic can even refer to predictive tyre maintenance.

Driver Safety

Prolonged hours on the road elevate the likelihood of driver fatigue and distractions, posing significant safety risks. In response, fleet-based businesses and companies are addressing these concerns by better regulating driver hours management, fostering a culture of health and safety. Leveraging technology such as tachographs, fleet managers can pinpoint areas for improvement, offering immediate in-cab feedback and coaching to enhance driver performance.

Maintaining vehicle integrity is equally paramount for safety. Regular inspections empower drivers to identify potential hazards and address repair needs before hitting the road. Consequently, a heightened emphasis on daily walkaround checks paired with predictive maintenance becomes increasingly apparent.

AI and Last-Mile Efficiency

AI-driven fleet management solutions tackle the continuous challenge of rising fleet costs while aligning with the growing consumer preference for sustainable deliveries. These solutions empower customers to book delivery slots and allow for optimised schedules, playing a vital part in mitigating last-mile delivery failures which, consequently, elevates overall customer satisfaction.

This signals a multitude of advantages for fleets, comprising reductions in fuel expenses, lowered total mileage, and the seamless handling of increased order volumes. The outcome is not only a tangible lessening of CO2 emissions, but also a considerable decrease in overall operational costs, making it a leading method for achieving efficient and sustainable fleet management.

Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS)

Fleet managers are actively exploring innovative approaches for company-owned vehicles, including leasing options. The emergence of mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) is prompting a reevaluation of fleet management processes, encouraging the adoption of vehicle-sharing strategies.

This move translates into a more efficient utilisation of idle cars, improved budget control, and a collectively reduced carbon footprint for fleets, especially when coupled with the implementation of eco-driving practices.

Fleet Electrification

As governmental regulations progressively tighten in the pursuit of reaching net-zero emissions, a growing number of fleet operators are decidedly embracing the transition to a green fleet. This switch involves a gradual phasing out of standard internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, with the overarching goal of significantly reducing their environmental impact.

The nearing 2035 ICE ban, a pivotal milestone in this trajectory, serves as a catalyst for this transformative development. The industry's proactive leaning towards electric vehicles (EVs) is now not merely a compliance measure, but a strategic response to contribute meaningfully to the global effort of combating climate change. 

This essential trend of EVs fleets stands as a visionary step towards a more sustainable future for fleet management. With this in mind, it’s likely that the charging infrastructure for EVs will expand similarly, once being a barrier to widespread fleet electrification.

Upskilling Employees

In anticipation of the ongoing shift toward electrification in fleets, it is imperative to invest in equipping employees with the skills required to properly operate and maintain EVs through targeted training programmes which reinforce up-to-date best practices. 

Likewise, the industry is confronted with a scarcity of proficient technicians capable of installing and repairing EVs and their chargers, underscoring the urgency of ensuring an upskilled workforce amidst the increasing prevalence of EVs in the market.

Conclusion

The landscape of fleet management is undergoing rapid evolution, primarily driven by technological advancements. To maintain a competitive edge, fleet managers must harness the power of predictive maintenance, embrace the transition to fleet electrification, prioritise driver safety, and adopt other forward-thinking practices. 

Following this selection of trends not only ensures the relevance of your fleet in the dynamic transportation sector, but also guarantees optimal performance while effectively controlling costs.

MICHELIN Connected Fleet’s fleet management solutions are poised at the forefront of industry trends. If you seek support for your business or company in 2024, then be sure to explore the value our services can bring by making an enquiry today.