A culture of overselling, technology issues and financial viability have been cited as the reasons fleet managers have not fitted vehicle tracking in company cars in significant numbers.

Although the take-up of tracking technology among utility fleets is high, a report has found that these concerns have meant company car drivers have avoided digital scrutiny to a large extent, and even duty of care issues have failed to stir fleet managers’ interest.

The report, by vehicle tracking firm Digicore, found a clear split in usage.

Of fleets that run cars and vans, around one in seven use some form of tracking on vehicles.

In Utility fleets, on the other hand, that figure is nearly nine out of 10 now, illustrating the increased need to allocate resources, improve time management and keep track of assets in the heavily regulated utilities sector.

A major concern for the telematics industry is the lack of confidence in the technology and the industry.

The report said: “Worryingly, 35% of the respondents not using vehicle tracking within their fleet operations believed the reputation of the telematics industry was not particularly positive.

"When asked what in particular was damaging the sector, the financial viability of providers, a culture of overselling and technology concerns dominated.”

The issue of privacy, often cited as a major obstacle, barely registered as a concern, perhaps due to the increasing amount of surveillance in today’s society.

However, those fleets that use tracking technology are generally happy with their results.

Of those questioned, 76% said that tracking had added value to their business, with a range of benefits cited including increased productivity (54%) reduced costs (44%), and fleet performance(46%).

The positive response levels were similar across all types of fleets.