- Fleets switched on to new technology benefits, but Government needs to do more
- 34% of fleet sector consider themselves as early adopters of technology
- Fleets excited by technology but over half say it is difficult to quantify the benefits
- Accident reduction is key benefit – Government needs to promote AEB
THE results of the BVRLA Fleet Technology survey have been announced at the association’s second annual Fleet Technology Congress, held on 1st July at the Williams F1 Conference Centre in Oxfordshire.
According to the latest BVRLA fleet technology survey, the majority of fleets – nearly 97% – are excited about the changes that modern automotive technology will bring to the sector, but 58% also say that it is difficult to quantify the benefits.
The 2015 BVRLA survey collected the views from over 150 rental operators, fleet managers and leasing companies. While 34% claimed to be early adopters of new vehicle technology, over half (58%) said that they wait until they can show a clear return on investment.
Road safety has also emerged as a key theme, with autonomous driving and safety technologies being described as having one of the most positive impacts on the fleet industry; this was second only to ultra-low emission powertrains.
In the same way, reduced accident rates were described as being a key benefit of new technology, second only to reduced transport costs.
Looking to the future in 2020, respondents said in-car video and that Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) would be the most important safety technologies for fleets.
AEB is widely considered as being one of the most important safety advances to have emerged in recent years and has been recognised by Thatcham as well as the euro NCAP safety performance assessment programme.
