Telematics systems are transforming how EV fleets operate in the UK. By collecting real-time data on driver behaviour, battery health, charging patterns, and energy consumption, fleet managers can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and extend vehicle lifespan. Here's what you need to know:
- Driver Behaviour: Monitoring acceleration, braking, and speed consistency can extend battery life and improve safety.
- Energy Use: Gentle driving techniques can cut energy consumption by up to 25%.
- Charging Management: Real-time insights help schedule charging during off-peak hours, saving up to 45% on costs.
- Predictive Maintenance: Data on battery health and usage patterns prevents costly repairs and downtime.
- Security: Dual-tracker systems and immobilisation features protect high-value EVs from theft.
These insights are accessible through tools like GRS Fleet Telematics, offering solutions from £7.99 per month. By using telematics, businesses can optimise routes, manage costs, and meet sustainability goals - all while improving overall fleet performance.
Driver Behaviour Data Types in EV Telematics
Data Points Collected
Modern EV telematics systems gather an array of detailed information about how vehicles are driven. Using onboard sensors, these systems provide data that fleet managers can analyse for better decision-making.
One key metric is speed monitoring, which tracks vehicle speed in kilometres per hour. This helps identify drivers who habitually exceed speed limits or operate vehicles inefficiently. Acceleration and braking patterns are also tracked, with accelerometers recording G-force and pedal positions as percentages.
Route choices and location data offer insights into driver decisions, such as trip distances, journey times, and whether the most efficient routes are chosen. These factors directly influence battery consumption and charging needs for EV fleets.
Another crucial area is energy consumption patterns, which demonstrate how driving habits affect battery usage. For instance, eco-driving techniques - like gentle acceleration, anticipatory driving, and using regenerative braking effectively - can cut energy consumption by up to 25%.
Charging behaviour data captures when, where, and how vehicles are charged. This includes updates on charging status, completion times, and frequency. Analysing these patterns helps fleet managers optimise charging infrastructure and identify drivers who may benefit from training on efficient charging practices.
Battery health monitoring provides real-time updates on battery levels, voltage, state of health (SoH), and state of charge (SoC). This information helps predict maintenance needs and ensures vehicles are ready for use when required.
Idling time is another important metric, measuring periods when vehicles are stationary but still consuming energy. For EVs, this data highlights unnecessary energy loss, enabling fleet managers to educate drivers on better practices.
A study conducted by a German logistics company found that providing drivers with in-cab informational nudges based on telematics data reduced average CO2 emissions from 838 g/km to 793 g/km - a 5% improvement.
These metrics are compiled into UK-standard reports, equipping fleet managers with actionable insights to improve operations.
UK Data Reporting Formats
Telematics systems in the UK follow standard British formats for reporting. Examples include:
- Speed: Recorded in km/h
- Date: Presented in DD/MM/YYYY format with 24-hour time
- Currency: Costs reported in £
- Temperature: Measured in Celsius
- Weight: Recorded in kilograms or tonnes
UK telematics systems also offer customisable reporting options tailored to specific business needs, rather than relying on generic, pre-packaged solutions. Fleet managers can schedule reports to arrive via email and set up automated alerts for when predefined thresholds are exceeded. These alerts cover various aspects, such as driver behaviour incidents or vehicle utilisation rates.
Dashboard reporting provides visual summaries of fleet trends, making it easy to spot patterns and areas needing attention. Features like comparative analysis allow businesses to evaluate their EVs' performance against WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) benchmarks, offering a clearer picture of how vehicles perform in real-world conditions versus official efficiency ratings.
The reporting systems are also designed to meet UK-specific regulatory standards, ensuring compliance with data protection laws like GDPR and other industry requirements. They integrate seamlessly with existing UK business systems, making them both practical and compliant.
How to Use Telematics Data for EV Fleet Optimisation
Improving Driver Efficiency and Safety
Telematics provides a constant flow of data on driver behaviour, offering insights that can directly impact safety and efficiency. For instance, studies reveal that 29% of collisions happen within one minute of reaching maximum speed, while 71% occur within the first 10 minutes of driving. This information allows fleet managers to pinpoint high-risk moments and take proactive measures to address them.
By tracking behaviours like harsh acceleration, excessive speeding, and inefficient braking, telematics scorecards highlight drivers who may need additional training. These behaviours not only compromise safety but also drain battery efficiency. Fleet managers can respond by organising regular defensive driving workshops and using interactive training tools. Positive changes in these metrics can also be tied to reward programmes, encouraging better safety practices, improved energy use, and adherence to speed limits.
Drowsy driving is another critical issue. The NHTSA reports that 91,000 crashes each year are linked to driver fatigue. Telematics systems can detect signs of fatigue - such as erratic steering or unusual braking patterns - enabling early intervention before accidents occur.
These driver-focused insights also pave the way for optimising charging strategies and better energy management.
Charging and Energy Management
Telematics data goes beyond driving habits, offering transformative ways to manage charging and energy consumption for EV fleets. With real-time vehicle status monitoring, fleet managers can oversee battery levels across their vehicles and schedule charging sessions during off-peak electricity hours.
The impact of these strategies can be significant. For example, one fleet reported achieving up to 45% cost savings and cutting charging expenses by 15% through intelligent charging management. Alongside these savings, they saw a 12% boost in battery longevity, a 20% improvement in route efficiency, and a 25% reduction in downtime.
Telematics also helps avoid common charging pitfalls like overcharging or overheating, which can harm battery performance. Automated alerts notify managers of any deviations from planned charging schedules or low battery levels.
Another advantage is the ability to track total CO₂ savings, which supports sustainability reporting and compliance with emissions standards. This data can help fleets qualify for green incentives and tax benefits, while also contributing to broader electrification goals.
The insights gained from charging and driver performance data also feed into predictive maintenance systems, ensuring vehicles remain operational and efficient.
Predictive Maintenance and Vehicle Health Monitoring
Telematics systems gather data from crucial EV components - such as batteries, ECUs, inverters, and onboard chargers - to anticipate maintenance needs before they escalate into major issues. This approach minimises repair costs and reduces vehicle downtime.
The benefits of predictive maintenance are clear. For example, HATS Group experienced a 78% drop in road incidents across its fleet of 880 vehicles. Similarly, DPD Local reduced emergency callouts by 25%, and SUEZ cut repair costs by 20% through usage-based maintenance planning.
Battery health monitoring is particularly important for EV fleets. Telematics systems track battery performance, condition, and overall health in real time. This data helps fleet managers understand how batteries degrade over time and fine-tune charging cycles to extend their lifespan.
Key metrics for effective predictive maintenance include battery health, charging patterns, geographical usage, and load profiles. A centralised telematics platform integrates these data points across the fleet, offering a complete picture of vehicle health. This same platform brings together insights on driver behaviour, charging management, and maintenance, creating a unified approach to EV fleet optimisation.
Adding Telematics Data to Fleet Operations
Setting Up Dashboards and Reports
Dashboards are the backbone of turning raw telematics data into meaningful insights for fleet operations. They offer a clear overview of fleet performance, helping managers base decisions on solid facts rather than guesswork.
The real power of dashboards lies in their ability to be tailored. Modern telematics platforms let fleet managers customise displays to match their specific needs. For electric vehicle (EV) fleets, this could mean tracking metrics like real-time battery charge levels, health status, charging progress, and energy consumption trends. These platforms also provide a unified view of mixed fleets, encompassing electric, hybrid, and traditional vehicles.
Customisation ensures that fleet managers can quickly spot performance trends, make informed decisions, and ultimately improve efficiency while cutting costs.
Automated reporting further streamlines operations by saving time and ensuring consistent monitoring. Managers can schedule reports to track key metrics such as vehicle locations, driver behaviour, vehicle health, and energy use. For EVs, reports should include charging habits, energy needs, and battery wear patterns, all of which are crucial for planning infrastructure.
Alert systems add another layer of functionality by highlighting critical issues through text, email, or in-platform notifications. For EVs, these alerts might include reminders for predictive maintenance or charging requirements.
Mobile apps extend the accessibility of these dashboards, offering real-time updates on vehicle location, charging status, and alerts, all while on the move.
Beyond operational benefits, telematics plays a crucial role in tracking and reporting environmental performance.
Meeting Environmental and ESG Goals
Telematics data provides precise measurements to monitor environmental performance and meet ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) targets. For example, UK Government data from 2022 indicates that the National Grid emits 0.21302 CO₂ equivalent per kWh of electricity consumed, including grid losses. This allows fleet managers to calculate the exact emissions reductions achieved by using EVs.
A practical example of this is the Madrid City Council, which equipped its EV fleet with Geotab GO devices. These devices collected data on metrics like distance travelled, daily energy use, and average energy consumption per vehicle. With this information, the Council optimised its fleet by identifying underused vehicles and balancing workloads, which helped them make smarter decisions about fleet size.
"You cannot manage an electric fleet without telematics technology. Geotab's real-time and remote data is key to analyse the state of each vehicle and improve efficiency and sustainability." – Enrique García, Technician of the Department of Climate Change, Madrid City Council
The Madrid initiative also uncovered that factors like weather conditions and air conditioning use impact energy consumption. These insights were used to create driver safety plans aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing Scope 2 emissions. Additionally, telematics helped improve vehicle charging efficiency by over 160%, significantly reducing environmental impact.
This kind of data-driven approach sets the stage for smarter planning of charging infrastructure.
Planning Charging Infrastructure Upgrades
Telematics data is indispensable when it comes to planning charging infrastructure. By analysing charging patterns, energy needs, and vehicle usage, fleet managers can pinpoint the best times and locations to expand charging facilities.
Take OVO Energy as an example. They use telematics to track daily journey lengths, vehicle dwell times, and usage patterns to identify the right EVs for their operations and determine the optimal number and placement of chargers. Similarly, Mitchells of Mansfield relied on historical telematics data - such as mileage, tail lift usage, and average speeds of their older diesel vehicles - to forecast energy needs for their EV fleet. This helped them avoid overspending while maintaining battery performance.
Telematics platforms also provide vehicle-specific charging data, offering insights into charging history, energy consumption, and peak demand periods. This granular level of detail supports decisions on infrastructure capacity, installation timing, and even the integration of renewable energy sources.
Smart charging strategies can further cut energy expenses while ensuring vehicles are ready for use. By understanding when vehicles return to base, how long they remain idle, and their typical energy needs, managers can schedule charging during off-peak electricity hours without disrupting operations.
As EV adoption grows, telematics data becomes even more critical for tracking the financial effects of expansion. This data-driven approach ensures investments in vehicles, chargers, and energy resources are optimised, avoiding unnecessary spending while meeting operational demands.
GRS Fleet Telematics for EV Fleet Management
Tracking and Security Features
GRS Fleet Telematics doesn’t just monitor performance - it also prioritises security and operational reliability for electric vehicle (EV) fleets. Given the high value of EVs and their specialised components, security is a significant concern. To address this, GRS Fleet Telematics employs a dual-layer tracking system: a wired GPS tracker paired with a hidden Bluetooth unit. If the primary tracker is disabled, the backup kicks in, ensuring uninterrupted tracking and bolstering stolen vehicle recovery efforts.
The system also features immobilisation technology, which prevents the engine from starting without proper authorisation, acting as a strong deterrent against theft. Fleet managers benefit from 24/7 recovery support, offering round-the-clock assistance in theft-related situations. Real-time GPS tracking provides precise updates on location, speed, and vehicle status, enabling immediate responses to security breaches or unauthorised access. Geofencing alerts further enhance security by notifying managers if vehicles enter or leave designated zones, especially during off-hours. This is particularly useful for EV fleets that often remain stationary during long charging periods. Together, these features create a solid foundation for advanced software integration.
Custom Software Solutions
GRS Fleet Telematics doesn’t stop at tracking - it offers custom software solutions tailored to the specific needs of EV fleets. The integrated analytics monitor driver behaviour, working hours, and eco-driving habits, helping optimise battery use and streamline maintenance schedules. These insights allow fleet managers to track trends in battery degradation, charging efficiency, and energy consumption per kilometre.
The system also improves route planning by factoring in battery range and nearby charging stations, ensuring maximum efficiency. Real-time monitoring extends to EV-specific metrics such as battery health, charging progress, and energy consumption patterns. This enables managers to calculate costs per kilometre, assess journey efficiency, and identify vehicles that may need maintenance or battery replacement. Additionally, the platform integrates seamlessly with existing fleet management systems, providing enhanced visibility into EV operations without disrupting workflows. These software tools work hand-in-hand with the hardware, delivering a complete solution for EV fleet management.
Flexible Solutions for UK Businesses
GRS Fleet Telematics offers flexible plans designed to fit various business needs. Options include the Essential plan (£35) with a single wired tracker, the Enhanced plan (£79) featuring an added Bluetooth backup, and the Ultimate plan (£99), which also includes immobilisation. All plans connect to a software platform for £7.99 per vehicle per month. This fee covers the SIM card, data costs, access to the platform, and support from a dedicated account manager - ensuring no hidden charges and helping businesses maintain predictable budgets.
The platform’s ROI calculator highlights potential savings, estimating monthly savings of £1,224.52 and annual savings of £14,694.25 - a return on investment of 2,965% with a payback period of just 0.3 months.
For added convenience, GRS offers free installation when paired with fleet branding services provided by its sister company, GRS Fleet Graphics. This flexible setup allows businesses to start with basic tracking features and upgrade as their EV fleet expands, ensuring the system adapts to growing operational needs without requiring a complete overhaul.
Exploring Telematics - a data driven approach to EV fleets
Using Telematics for Better EV Fleet Management
Telematics provides real-time insights into driver behaviour, vehicle performance, and overall operational efficiency for EV fleets in the UK. This technology does more than just track vehicles - it offers detailed analytics that help fleet managers make smarter decisions about charging schedules, route planning, and maintenance. These insights form the foundation for better strategies in fleet management.
For EVs, keeping a close eye on battery health, charging habits, and energy consumption is essential. Telematics systems continuously gather this data, allowing fleet managers to identify inefficiencies, plan routes that consider charging station locations, and address potential maintenance issues before they escalate.
Driver behaviour is another critical factor. Poor driving habits can drain batteries faster and increase costs. Telematics data provides specific feedback to drivers, helping to improve efficiency and safety across the fleet. These insights not only resolve immediate challenges but also shape long-term strategies for fleet management.
Scalability is a key advantage of modern telematics solutions, allowing businesses to start small and expand as their fleets grow. For example, GRS Fleet Telematics offers flexible packages tailored to different needs: Essential (£35), Enhanced (£79), and Ultimate (£99). Each package comes with a £7.99 per vehicle monthly software fee, which includes SIM, data, platform access, and dedicated support. This flexibility helps companies align their fleet operations with both performance and sustainability goals.
"At the heart of our offering is our innovative dual-tracker system – a unique approach to vehicle security unavailable from most competitors...achieving an impressive 91% vehicle recovery rate."
Telematics also contributes to reducing carbon emissions by optimising routes, improving driving habits, and enhancing vehicle performance. This data-driven approach not only makes fleet operations more efficient but also helps businesses qualify for government incentives for clean transport and meet their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) commitments.
To get the most out of telematics, systems need to integrate smoothly with existing operations while being adaptable for future growth. A combination of reliable hardware, user-friendly software, and ongoing support ensures that EV fleets can operate at their best while delivering the security and dependability UK businesses require.
FAQs
How does telematics data help reduce the running costs of an EV fleet?
Telematics data plays a key role in cutting down the operating costs of an EV fleet by offering practical insights into energy consumption, vehicle performance, and driving patterns. For instance, it allows fleet managers to plan charging schedules more effectively, taking advantage of off-peak electricity rates to lower energy bills. It also supports route optimisation, helping to reduce unnecessary mileage and conserve energy.
Beyond energy savings, telematics helps monitor battery health, vehicle performance, and driver behaviour. This can significantly lower maintenance costs and minimise the risk of expensive breakdowns. By highlighting areas that need attention, telematics ensures the fleet runs more efficiently and keeps costs under control.
How can telematics systems help monitor driver behaviour to improve EV battery efficiency and safety?
Telematics systems offer detailed insights into driver behaviour by keeping track of factors like acceleration, braking patterns, and speed. With this data, fleet managers can pinpoint areas that need attention, encourage safer driving practices, and cut down on energy use.
On top of that, telematics monitors the condition and usage of EV batteries, allowing for predictive maintenance and ensuring they operate at their best. This not only helps prolong battery life but also boosts safety and improves the efficiency of electric vehicle fleets.
How can telematics data help EV fleets avoid costly breakdowns and minimise downtime?
Telematics data plays a crucial role in helping electric vehicle (EV) fleets sidestep expensive breakdowns and cut down on downtime through predictive maintenance. By tracking vital metrics such as battery health, motor efficiency, and temperature levels in real time, fleet managers can spot early signs of trouble before they turn into major issues.
This forward-thinking approach means maintenance can be planned ahead of time, preventing unexpected repairs and keeping vehicles on the road. Additionally, predictive analytics can estimate when essential components might fail, ensuring the fleet runs smoothly and safely.
