Install and use telematics

You can use information from telematics systems to support your transition to an electric fleet. These devices are often installed by employers and insurers to enable vehicle tracking and are sometimes referred to as “black boxes”.

Telematics systems can provide high-quality fleet data that can help you monitor vehicle performance and support the transition to zero emission vehicles. Telematics devices may be hard-wired into a vehicle, plugged into its diagnostic port or operated through a smartphone app.

Installing telematics can provide access to a range of fleet data, including:

• Exact energy consumption for each journey.
• Journey duration and distance.
• Vehicle condition and performance.

We recommend installing telematics systems that provide this level of information.

Benefits of telematics

• Improved fleet monitoring.
• Accurate recording of vehicle energy consumption and operating costs, including electricity use in electric vehicles, which can otherwise be difficult to monitor.
• Safety features such as automatic collision notifications, emergency assistance requests and vehicle tracking.
• Monitoring driver behaviour, which can be combined with green driver training initiatives.
• Monitoring vehicle condition, helping to reduce service, maintenance and repair costs.

Telematics systems are becoming increasingly common. However, it is important to understand how to make effective use of the data they provide. Many advanced systems include online dashboards and reporting portals that present fleet data in accessible formats. These tools can help identify trends, support decision-making and maximise the benefits of telematics data.

Telematics for the transition to battery electric vehicles

You can use data from telematics systems to support your transition to an electric fleet.

This can be achieved by:

1. Obtaining accurate maximum daily mileage figures to determine whether journeys fall within the single-charge range of a battery electric vehicle (BEV).
2. Developing an accurate charging infrastructure plan based on vehicle usage patterns and charging requirements.
3. Incorporating public charge points into route planning using GPS data.
4. Calculating the true remaining battery range by taking account of factors such as elevation, traffic conditions and weather. When battery charge is low, drivers can be alerted and directed to the nearest public charge point.
5. Providing evidence of cost and carbon savings to support further adoption of zero emission vehicles.

This information is often available through telematics dashboards and reporting portals. However, we recommend downloading and analysing the raw fleet data where possible. This allows you to investigate specific issues in more detail and make full use of the information collected. While analysing raw data may require additional time, technical expertise and software tools, it can provide valuable insights that are tailored to your fleet and decarbonisation objectives.