Fleet Week 2024: 8 Trends Forming the Future of Fleet

Over one week, 36 seminars, a ride-and-drive, expo hall interaction, and networking events brought more than 600 attendees together to discuss the future of fleet. 

The event was Fleet Week. Convened at the Sheraton Marina in San Diego Nov. 4-8, the first-ever Fleet Week included the Fleet Safety and Fleet Forward Conferences and, for the first time, the Global Fleet Conference.

Here are eight high-level trends that were woven through the keynotes, plenary sessions, and breakout seminars at all three conferences. They only scratch the surface of the granular takeaways. 

AI Is Transformative — But How to Harness it? 

AI is being compared to transformative technologies like electricity, with immense potential to reshape fleet management. “AI is here. It’s everywhere… it could be as big as the internet, 100 times over,” said Amir Sayegh from Geotab in his keynote address. 

Panelists in multiple sessions noted that AI is already present in telematics systems that monitor real-time driver behavior and detect risky actions, collate them by type, and deliver in-cab audio alerts. It’s also being realized in predictive maintenance, route optimization, resource allocation, and inventory management.

AI is being used to support fleets that use multiple transportation modes. AI analyzes trip needs and suggests the most efficient mode for each trip. Guided by AI, multimodality “allows flexibility, cost savings, and improved environmental outcomes,” said Dan Belknap of Wheels.

AI-driven insights anticipate and mitigate risks before they lead to incidents. “We’ve already used AI to flag vehicles likely to be in accidents,” said Tom Gillogly of Samba Safety. 

The new frontier — generative AI — goes beyond pattern recognition to pattern generation, enhancing the analysis and synthesis of fleet data. When integrating data from vehicle telemetry, DMV records, and leasing information, what real-time answers can be gained without having to run a report? 

Global Fleet Conference Chair Matthew Betts shared that a fleet manager used AI to generate an entire fleet policy based on a few samples. “It took hours of work down to a fraction of the time,” he said, though final edits were still required for accuracy.

The complexity lies in accessing and merging diverse data sources efficiently. “If I’ve got an FMC with the bulk of my data… but some internal corporate policy data is on an internal system, how do I get all of that into one place?” asked Betz. 

In a few years, Sayegh says fleet managers will “have an AI agent scheduling repairs and optimizing routes autonomously.”

But where to start? J.C. Mauricio of Ford Pro said that many small and medium business owners “don’t know what to ask” and might be uncertain about the specific insights AI or telematics can provide. 

Mauricio said many fleet managers expect their partners to “proactively nudge” them to discover valuable insights, even if they don’t yet know the questions to ask. 

Real-World EV Usage Skews TCO

We’ve always heard that electric vehicles cost less to operate than ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles. However, real-world usage tells a more complicated story. 

Lanelle Duke of Utilimarc presented learnings from Utilimarc’s EV Consortium, a collaborative of 40 fleets sharing data on EV costs, usage, and performance. 

EVs in the consortium are currently used less intensively than ICE vehicles. This is particularly true with electric pickups, which average 49 miles per day compared to 73 miles for ICE trucks in the consortium.

Duke suggested this could be due to their newness and unfamiliarity, as fleets tend to assign EV pickups to less demanding roles initially. “EV sedans, for the most part, are a direct replacement for the duties of the ICE vehicle they replaced, while the pickups are not,” she said. 

EVs in the consortium have experienced fewer breakdowns compared to ICE vehicles. However, maintenance costs for EVs are currently higher per mile because they are driven less frequently, which skews cost-per-mile metrics. 

Unfamiliarity with EVs may lead technicians to overschedule maintenance checks out of caution, which can inflate costs. 

Megan Morgan of Nashville Electric Service, an EV consortium participant, said, “Our fleet foreman requested that these vehicles come in on a 30-day maintenance schedule to check them over until they get more used to them.” 

Duke said that as EV prices decrease and utilization increases, costs per mile will normalize in favor of EVs. 

Is Range Anxiety Still a Thing? Yes and No

Range anxiety is essentially a function of misaligned route planning, and fleets are still figuring out how to align EVs with the right routes. For sales fleets in electric passenger vehicles, a day of sales stops that top out at 100 miles before returning home to charge is well within any EVs’ range today. 

Utilimarc’s EV Consortium data revealed that drivers are coming back to the depot charger with about 67% of the remaining charge. The electric pickup trucks studied are returning with batteries at about 45% full.

“They’re charging it up to full as a precaution instead of waiting and charging it after the next use,” she said. 

But there is no escaping that EVs can lose 30% to 50% of their range in extreme cold. “Route optimization and planning are critical in winter months,” noted Heidi Hicks from the City of Edmonton. 

Joel Donham of Widesense said simulation tools and digital twin models are helping to reduce range-related anxiety by providing data on battery health, expected usage, and charging strategies.

Greenlane is building corridor-based infrastructure for larger trucks, aiming to place fast-charging stations every 80 to 100 miles on major freight routes. 

Allen Nielsen of Greenlane pointed to the potential of megawatt charging (MCS), which would cut charging times for Class 8 trucks down to 15-30 minutes and is expected by 2027 or 2028. “When we reach MCS speeds, it will be a game-changer for long-haul trucking,” he said. 

Factory Modems Are Ubiquitous, Driving New Benefits 

Today, 99% of new light-duty vehicles have embedded modems, and they’re increasingly being used to power services and insights that weren’t as easy to derive with aftermarket modems.

One benefit is bidirectional communication, which allows OTA software updates, speed control (that Ford is beta testing), and in-vehicle coaching tools with audio alerts. 

Janette Purdy of Goettl Air Conditioning & Plumbing shared that her fleet achieved “a 97% reduction in mobile usage events over six months” by implementing real-time alerts that warn drivers immediately when they engage in risky behaviors.

Without the need to install an aftermarket modem, embedded connectivity becomes highly scalable for large fleets. Stellantis has the capacity to “onboard about 80,000 vehicles in four weeks,” said Eddie Nath of Mobilisights, the Stellantis DaaS Company. 

An ongoing challenge is normalizing data across multiple brands. The industry is working toward data standards for interoperability across mixed fleets, allowing different OEMs to provide uniform data experiences. 

“We’re actively participating in efforts to standardize,” said Nath.

Get Used to the “Messy Middle” of Energy Transition

With multiple technologies (diesel, electricity, hydrogen) coexisting in fleets, we’ll be in the “messy middle,” as one panelist phrased it, of energy transition for the foreseeable future. 

Fleets must plan for a gradual transition. “Instead of replacing 60-100 vehicles at once, we are stepping back, conducting trials, and testing what works best in our climate,” said Hicks from the City of Edmonton.

She highlighted that the city is adopting a mixed fleet strategy, combining EVs, hybrids, fuel cells, and dual-fuel vehicles. “One size doesn’t fit all, especially when you get into the medium and heavy-duty space,” she said, particularly in cold weather climates. 

In addition to EVs’ range dropping in extreme cold, challenges include slower charging times and increased energy use for preconditioning batteries and cabins. Hicks said Edmonton is testing hydrogen-powered buses and waste trucks, finding that hydrogen performs better in cold weather compared to EVs.

Lissa Brady of San Diego Gas & Electric said her fleet had taken a “three-year pause” on larger EVs while waiting for suitable models to enter the market. 

Panelists said that in this long journey to sustainability, fleets need to adopt a mixed-use fleet strategy that leverages the strengths of multiple vehicle types. 

Driver Health & Wellness a Growing Aspect of Fleet Safety

The fleet safety community is recognizing that promoting drivers’ health and wellness is inseparably linked to safe driving outcomes. “A healthier driver is a safer driver,” said Dr. Mark Manera of Offshift.

Manera pointed out that truck drivers experience some of the highest rates of obesity, diabetes, and stress-related conditions in the workforce, all of which impact reaction times and alertness on the road. 

These programs go beyond traditional health benefits to include resources tailored for drivers, such as on-road hydration reminders, access to mental health support, and routines to reduce stress and fatigue. 

Jeff Martin of Lytx advocated viewing drivers as “industrial athletes” who require mental and physical care to perform at their best.

A key driver of wellness is positive reinforcement instead of threatening with consequences.

Alison Betz of ABA Technologies emphasized the need to understand why drivers make decisions such as prioritizing speed or efficiency over safety. 

Immediate pressures — like tight schedules or meeting quotas — impact driver behavior. By acknowledging them, managers can develop more empathetic and effective strategies to encourage compliance.

Betz emphasized setting incremental goals. Instead of expecting immediate perfection, focus on small improvements and recognize progress along the way.  “Most people respond better to a simple ‘thank you for doing that safely’ than to being reprimanded for unsafe behavior,” said Betz. 

This sentiment was underscored in Mike Pitcher’s Global Fleet Conference keynote speech on building a “caring culture.” He encouraged leaders to show appreciation, noting that simple acts like saying “good job” can significantly improve morale.

Think Global, but Manage Local

For global fleet managers, a unified procurement strategy allows fleets to capitalize on global purchasing power, ensures consistent policy and practice application, and reduces the risks of ad hoc decisions.

But local nuances matter: Rob Hill of Holman emphasized the need for flexibility within a global strategy, noting that “a North American solution cannot simply be transplanted into Europe.” Regional differences in regulations, market conditions, and vehicle availability demand tailored approaches.

Kimberly Fisher of NOV Inc. highlighted the importance of respecting regional cultures. She explained that her company evaluates what makes the most sense for specific regions or countries while maintaining overall corporate alignment. “Do not go with a North American mindset” when implementing policies abroad, Fisher advised.

Successful global strategies also require collaboration with local teams. “Ask stakeholders why they do things a certain way, rather than imposing a top-down solution. This builds an understanding and more effective strategies,” Hill said. 

Complexity of Fleet Managers’ Jobs Officially Past 11

In the words of Nigel Tufnel from the movie Spinal Tap, “This one goes to 11.” While he’s speaking about an amplifier’s volume knobs, he could be referring to the complexities of the fleet manager’s job today. 

Fleet managers are now expected to integrate AI, telematics, and connected vehicle technologies into daily operations. While their insights are powerful, they require understanding complex data sets and advanced analytics to make decisions.

Electrification adds layers of complexity, from utility coordination when planning infrastructure, to managing chargers around the clock and adjusting routes that fit limited ranges. 

With video telematics, the need for real-time decision-making has grown. Fleet managers must act on immediate alerts on driver behavior or vehicle issues to prevent incidents or mitigate risks.

One seminar conversation turned to the fact that managers are often promoted without formal training, leaving them unequipped to handle the demands of driver engagement, conflict resolution, and behavior management. “We’re asking a lot from managers without giving them the tools to succeed,” said one speaker.

But there isn’t a lack of resources to strengthen fleet managers’ abilities. The industry as a whole just needs to grow those resources and connect fleet managers to them. We’ll continue to do exactly that at Fleet Week in 2025.