Telematics is vital for forward-thinking hauliers
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THE RISING cost of fuel has encouraged many leet managers to start thinking about ways to cope with this unpredictable expense.
Truck leets can’t run without fuel, but equally leet managers can’t just submit to rising costs without looking for some method of control. I believe this puts telematics back on the table for many who initially felt that the return on investment didn’t really justify the initial cost.
Unfortunately, smaller operators have not put this technology on their radar, as the funds are simply not available for such a large upfront investment. Telematics can provide an invaluable tool for the leet manager who needs to enforce positive driver behaviour, gather leet data and closely manage vehicle maintenance schedules and breakdowns.
Although most systems require signiicant investment, leasing providers can help businesses by including this technology as part of a rental cost.
The main concern around this technique for reducing fuel costs is that businesses can ind it dificult to reconcile the costs once the telematics has done its job and encouraged eficient behaviours.
It is fair to say that 90% of the gains are in the irst year of installation. Once driver behaviour has been improved, many leet managers consider this technique obsolete.
However, drivers can slip into old habits and turnover of staff means that new employees might bring bad habits with them.
There is a lot of work to do around the attitudes of leet managers to telematics. By working with technology partners and vehicle manufacturers, in addition to reviewing alternatives such as speed limiters, driver training and incentives, and by making better vehicle choices, leasing providers can give valuable insight into this technology, which companies may have missed previously.
In the future, it is possible that not unlike satellite navigation systems, telematics may come as a built-in optional extra from manufacturers, but this may be a long time coming in the commercial realm. Although telematics may never be a legal requirement for leets, it is a vital aspect for forward-thinking operators looking to improve best practice.
Jon Lawes Divisional MD Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Services