Dataforce Fleet Management Study 2024: It is getting more and more complex!
Dataforce has inquired again: The Dataforce Fleet Management Study 2024 analyzes the latest developments and challenges for fleet managers' everyday life. In a survey of over 300 fleet managers, besides the biggest time wasters, the usage and restrictions of car policies and the process of vehicle procurement were also examined.
Time waster remains service and damage management
The study provides insight into the acceptance of tools like fleet management software and AI as well as the role of TCO monitoring in commercial fleets. Information on alternative mobility solutions, as well as companies' plans to reduce their CO2 emissions, rounds out the study. And one can see from the analysis announcement: Fleet management has become more complex and extensive. This is confirmed by nine out of ten fleet managers of large fleets. Along with vehicle procurement, they see damage management and the organization of workshop services as the biggest "time wasters." It's astonishing that still only about 30 percent of fleet managers use or plan to use a software-based fleet management system within two years.
And despite political headwinds, especially in Germany, 80 percent of fleet managers still want to stick to their plans to reduce CO2 emissions.
More bothersome than reliable: Constantly changing legal requirements
A crucial factor is the constantly changing legal requirements. Laws and reporting obligations around data protection, CO2, and others change regularly, and fleet managers must always stay up to date to keep the processes in the company compliant.
Electrification generally requires infrastructure investments
The electrification of the fleet is another aspect that makes the work more complex. Introducing electric vehicles not only requires purchasing the vehicles themselves but also planning the charging infrastructure and training drivers.
The variety of new models and types of drives also presents challenges for fleet managers. Despite the many new releases, it's not always the case that the right model with both the appropriate drive and the preferred manufacturer is available on the market. So, vehicle procurement is ranked as the most time-consuming activity. Damage management takes the second most time. Damages to vehicles need to be documented, insurance companies informed, and repairs coordinated. Organizing workshop services is rated as the third biggest time waster: maintenance, inspections, and tire changes need to be organized to keep the fleet in good condition, especially fleet managers from small fleets feel burdened by this.
Digital solutions and all-in services make the job easier
To reduce the burden, digital solutions can make the everyday work of fleet managers easier. Automated tools and software enable time-saving and optimizing fleet operations. Corresponding systems and tools are therefore now significantly more embedded in fleets than a few years ago. From 14 percent in 2021, now 22 percent of fleet managers use a system for software-based fleet management, and another nine percent plan to introduce such a system within the next two years. Especially large fleets with more than 50 cars are increasingly relying on these systems, with more than every second fleet already using a fleet management system.
Digital TCO management and monitoring simplifies data analysis
The systems can not only improve efficiency but also usefully integrate into a comprehensive cost and environmental management. Almost 60 percent of fleet managers consider them essential for efficient TCO management. About 40 percent have already integrated clear TCO monitoring in their fleet, and this trend is rising.
The self-commitment to CO2 emission reduction remains as well. As in 2021, about 80 percent of fleets in 2024 clearly stick to their plans to reduce their CO2 emissions.
AI Tools Still Await Breakthrough
AI tools are not yet very attractive to fleet managers. Currently, only about 3 percent are using AI to ease their daily work. Opinions about the future are divided: nearly 45 percent can imagine using AI tools in the future, especially for vehicle procurement and management, as well as driver support. However, 55 percent reject their use—partly due to a lack of interest and experience, but also because of data protection and security concerns.
You can find more information about the study here: www.dataforce.de/fuhrparkmanagement-studie-2024/
What Does This Mean?
Fleet management has become significantly more complex in recent years. It is therefore all the more surprising that the use of appropriate software, which can significantly optimize the planning of availabilities and services, remains so low.
Translated automatically from German.
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