Aside from theft prevention, there are other elements of telematics systems that also provide financial and operational benefits to businesses that rely on drivers. One of these benefits is Driving Behaviour or Driving Score.
A fleet that is driven efficiently and safely is better for your pocket and the environment.
Assessing the use of telematics for fleet tracking, the Department for Transport’s Energy Saving Trust states that:
“In one study of company car drivers, a telematics system identified a 50% difference in fuel economy being achieved in identical cars over similar journeys. Much of the excess fuel use was down to driving style, including excessive speed and harsh acceleration. By improving fuel economy and reducing time spent idling, a business can reduce its emissions and costs.”
According to a research paper published by AA / DriveTech:
“As an example, assuming each vehicle’s Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is around £700 per month and a driver population of 1,000, that means a spend on your fleet of £8.4 million per annum of which £3.9 million is affected by driver behaviour.”
Their research found direct correlation between the number of max throttle events per 100km and the number of insurance claims.
It’s results like this that fleet tracking solutions customers see too.
Telematics can examine data on driver behaviour. The service will highlight harsh acceleration, harsh braking and excessive acceleration and speeding – and all incidents will occur in the map. The company’s bad habits can be removed with the help of specific tips on how to improve within the map.
Better for your business AND the planet
Whether you proactively search for such efficiencies to be a better citizen or because the Government’s legislation like the Environmental Bill and Net-Zero Strategy, better driving will help.
According to an article in The Guardian, nano plastics from tyres wear-and-tear have now been recorded both at the South and North Pole. As the article deliberates, nanoparticles are exceptionally light and are thought to be blown to Greenland on winds from cities in North America and Asia. The nano plastics found in sea ice in McMurdo Sound in Antarctica are likely to have been transported by ocean currents to the remote continent.
Better driving prolongs the usage of vehicle tyres and is both an environmental and a financial incentive for any business. Again, the research from AA fleet and DriveTech confirms:
“Drivers who never braked harshly or only occasionally, incurred tyre costs averaging £172 per annum whereas the costs of tyres for more persistent harsh braking was around £283 per annum, an increase of £111 or 73% in costs. Harsh acceleration and deceleration costs also directly impacted tyre spend negatively. Additionally, the total two-year maintenance spend was found to increase significantly (up to 160%) dependent on the number of maximum throttle ‘floor to the floor’ events.”
The use of telematics can also lead to cost-savings thanks to data-led insurance. The likes of partnerships between ABAX and insurer Zego allow fleets to insure their vehicles on a usage or fixed-rate basis – depending on the size of fleet. Driving behaviour can also be monitored to inform premium prices at renewal. The result is that fleet businesses are provided more control over how their assets are managed, allowing an increase in business efficiency, reduced risks and 20% average saving on insurance premiums.
No business is too small to benefit
Smaller fleets can also benefit from the likes of telematics technology to make both environmental and financial savings.
In fact, according to research from Sewells UK Van Fleet Market, 41% of van fleets greater than 25 and 53% of van fleets greater than 50 are using telematics. This compares to less than 10% for smaller fleets – leaving up to 90% missing out on the benefits.
In a landscape that requires businesses to navigate an increasing number of barriers and challenges that are outside of their control, telematics can offer visibility, traceability and peace of mind when it comes to finances and operations.
Whatever the size of organisation, asset tracking and reporting needn’t be arduous for business managers. The right technology is a powerful tool in their toolkit and one which can give quick and easy access to vital data – and provide insights into where improvements could be made. In turn that can translate to fleet optimisations and cost-savings, which in current times all organisations are searching for.
ABAX telematics units are self-installable, provide HMRC compliant data and offer live-tracking solutions, all allowing you to access actionable location and usage data on all your assets – and via one easy-to-use interface. Grey, mixed, large and small fleets can all be tracked in an efficient and cost-effective manner, whilst also provide vital reporting data on demand. On average, ABAX users save 18.5% on fuel costs and are able to analyse driving behaviour for a safer, greener fleet that spends at least £22.30 less per vehicle, per month. To learn more, go to www.abax.com/uk or call our team on 01733 698888.