By Richard Peak, director of Nextbase

Richard Peak, director of Nextbase

With 2023 winding down, many fleets are looking towards next year, which will prove to a be a transformative year for the industry across the board.

It’s important that we reflect on the year as a whole, as the industry has already seen a variety of changes. In August, diesel prices soared from an average cost of 146.36p to 154.37p – something that all fleets have had to contend with, and a concern for many as unpredictable geopolitical climates could force prices to rise once again.

But not everything will be history repeating itself, and many of the challenges faced by fleet managers in 2024 will be brand-new, unprecedented and crucial to get right. Next year will provide an opportunity to drastically shift working practices, whether that be through innovations in technology for example. Here are some of the key factors for fleet managers to consider for the new year.

Technology leading the charge

Over the years, there has been a shift with more fleets moving towards the use of EVs, and next year will be no different. We have been in a situation for a few years now where the early adopters of the technology have pioneered their use, often finding and figuring out problems so that, one day, the rest of us can benefit. It really feels like we are now about to enter the mass adoption phase, where EVs will quickly become a dominant presence on the roads. 2024 could be the turning point.

As a fleet manager, it’s worth seeing where the value lies when adopting EVs. I have said it before, it has to feel like progress, but increasingly it looks as though it might be. EVs, once past the initial expense, take a lighter toll on the pockets, requiring less servicing than the traditional petrol-run vehicle, and protect from short-term fluctuations in fuel prices. You should, however, proceed with caution when considering a full switch to EV, due to the limited charging points across the country, and battery efficiency that drivers rely on for longer-distance journeys.

Data and safety first

The way we use data as we know it is becoming more sophisticated, with advanced telematics and AI taking a life of its own to help fleet managers to manage and pin-point data of how their operation is running. Adopting these tools can give you an advantage over rivals, or just make your team’s life easier, but they are not without their risks. Privacy and data security for fleets will most definitely be priority for the new year, so will incorporating an efficient data system can provide support with route tracking for instance. It’s also worth noting that fleets are vulnerable to breaches and cyber-attacks. To counter this, practise new risk assessments and ensure that proper training has been provided in order to avoid phishing and other cyber-attacks.

In addition to safety on the road, using a dash cam across your fleet does not only provide added layers of security, but also helps save on insurance rates, which we may see rise again in the new year. 2023 saw some big rises in the cost of premiums and 2024 is likely to follow suit. Making these adjustments also allows you to hold on to your no-claims bonus if a vehicle your fleet is involved in an incident that is not fault or your own – previous research has found that fleets can save up to 30% on insurance costs when using a dash cam.

Back to basics

While we look forward and think about leaps in technology and how things are going to change, it’s still as important as ever to assess and invest in the maintenance of your fleet before 2024 rolls around. Every fleet relies on its drivers and so its key to make sure they are not left behind in terms of training or their vehicles with maintenance. The holiday period can be one of the busiest of the year so conditioning after this period is crucial.

Much of the rest of what 2024 will bring is yet to be decided and impossible to predict, but expect the unexpected and don’t let the expected sneak up on you.