By Aaron Jarvis, Associate Vice President, Sales and Business Development, EMEA, Geotab

As government initiatives and corporate sustainability goals fuel demand, the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating across industries, from logistics to corporate fleets and public transportation. The UK’s ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035 has further accelerated this adoption, making electric vehicles a central part of fleet strategies.

As a result, fleet managers are tasked with adapting to this evolving landscape, adopting new technologies to ensure both operational efficiency and alignment with their organization’s net zero emissions goals.

The evolving role of fleet managers in a sustainable future

As organizations move toward sustainable fleet management, the role of fleet managers has expanded. No longer focused solely on asset and schedule management, they are now agents of change, implementing sustainable practices that align with their organization’s environmental goals. They are responsible for ensuring that fleet operations contribute significantly to a carbon neutral future while meeting operational objectives.

Gone are also the days when telematics was seen solely as vehicle tracking and security monitoring software. Today’s advanced platforms have evolved into strategic assets that drive not only operational efficiency, but also business growth and profitability. These systems now play a vital role in transforming fleets towards a carbon neutral future by reducing operational costs and improving overall resource efficiency.

Route optimization tools provide insights that enable fleet managers to make informed decisions to strategically reduce fuel consumption, reduce emissions and manage costs. For example, fleets using platforms can reduce mileage by 15-30% and increase on-time arrival rates by up to 98%, improving customer satisfaction and directly contributing to sustainability goals. This capability allows fleet managers to balance immediate operational requirements with long-term sustainability goals, positioning them to effectively meet logistics needs and environmental commitments.

The real complexity of fleet management

Route optimization may seem simple, but real-world fleet management is complex, influenced by many variables such as traffic conditions, driver availability, customer demands and even the weather. Fleet managers must carefully balance these factors to meet service commitments, manage driving hours and minimize vehicle wear and tear. This balancing act is especially crucial for electric fleets, where factors like range limitations and charging schedules add another level of consideration.

In this challenging environment, route optimization becomes essential to maximize efficiency. Rather than simply plotting points on a map, fleet managers use sophisticated optimization tools to adapt to real-world conditions and make data-driven choices.

By integrating these considerations into the routing process, decisions become both operationally efficient and financially strategic, aligning with the company’s broader financial goals.

Supporting the transition to electric fleets with route optimization

For organizations integrating electric vehicles into their fleets, route optimization is essential to understanding fleet requirements and ensuring efficient and reliable operations. With drivers working between eight and 12 hours a day, route planning must take into account constraints specific to electric vehicles, such as battery life, charging schedules and infrastructure availability. Optimized route plans not only preserve battery life in electric vehicles, but also reduce downtime, thereby extending vehicle uptime and maintaining driver satisfaction.

Route optimization platforms provide fleet managers with tools and data to improve daily efficiency and support long-term strategic planning. The insights gained from route optimization enable fleet managers to address immediate logistical challenges while considering the economic impact of their decisions.

Fleet managers who adopt route optimization technology are better equipped to lead their organizations toward a carbon-neutral future. By balancing the needs of customers, drivers and sustainability goals, they can transform fleet operations from a logistics function to a strategic part of business growth and contribute to the sustainable future of their organizations.