Technology will accelerate the journey to net zero

By Angela Montacute chief executive officer at Digital INNK

Fleets of all sizes are making progress toward net zero.

If we look beyond the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and alternative fuel vehicles, companies are taking measures to reduce their carbon footprint.

While carbon offsetting has a role to play in reducing the overall environmental impact of businesses, there are many steps that fleets can take that will help to minimise carbon emissions.

Technology can help us reimagine how fleets operate and drive efficiency through the entire lifecycle of each vehicle.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are already used to help fleets map journeys more effectively and significantly reduce the number of miles each fleet accumulates over a year.

Cloud-based technology can also help connect fleets, drivers and suppliers in more meaningful ways to reduce the amount of time it takes to administer processes such as vehicle health checks and compliance procedures.

Service, maintenance and repair (SMR) procedures can be automated to ensure the driver and vehicle are matched to the most appropriate repairer, which will help reduce vehicle movements and minimise costs.

By helping drivers self-serve much of their fleet interactions, the number of staff required in offices can be reduced.

Additionally, cloud-based technology allows fleet staff to access the system from home if they are working remotely.

Smarter systems can use predictive maintenance and automated communications to ensure that vehicles are maintained correctly and operate optimally.

According to a US study, a tyre under-inflated by 10% will increase fuel consumption by 2%.

The miles of paper generated every year in customer communications should be a thing of the past with apps able to serve up information in real-time and securely.

This isn't to argue that technology innovation and its adoption will be uncomplicated.

Instead, it will require disruptive thinking and a focus on every part of fleet operations to work smarter and greener.

Innovation must also pick up speed

The good news is that most technologies deliver greater efficiencies, and therefore, cost savings.

It makes their adoption easier and should mean that new and fresh approaches to fleet management are adopted quickly.

Technology rarely operates in a bubble, and it’s important to bring staff and drivers along on the journey.

Providing an easier way to operate will help fuel enthusiasm for different ways of working.

Support will be needed at all levels of the organisation if change is to be effected rapidly.

The key aim of Digital INNK is to use the latest technology to make life easier and more secure for fleet managers and drivers.

For drivers, life is simpler and safer with a single app to manage their entire experience with the vehicle and know there is a single location to find important information.

It’s an approach that will help to re-engineer the fleet management process and deliver an environmental dividend.

There is also a commercial imperative with consumers actively seeking companies who are taking positive steps to benefit the environment.

According to a study by Deloitte, ethical and sustainability concerns are a major motivator for nearly a third of customers, who say they have stopped buying particular brands because of their worries.

Radical action is needed now

Without quick and significant emissions reductions across all sectors of the economy, experts from the United Nations (UN) warned that meeting the most ambitious global goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius will be impossible.

It’s clear that every fleet can make a difference to the world’s climate goals.

By taking action on the little things, from greater use of electronic communications instead of paper or enabling staff to work at home more frequently, the cumulative effects will be marked

> Interested in comparing electric vehicle data? Check out our EV tool.

> EVs by range

> EVs by their efficiency

> Rapid charging EVs

> EVs by price: lowest to highest