Fleets ‘cautiously optimistic’ about 2013

Fuel costs top the list of challenges for fleets over the next 12 months, according to a new survey from telematics provider GreenRoad. However, just over half of those questioned, 56%, say they are cautiously optimistic about 2013.

The Fleet Leader 2013 Outlook study found that 12% of fleets are ‘very optimistic’, and 22% identify themselves as ‘neutral’ about the year ahead. More than two-thirds, 67%, expect the price of fuel to rise ‘modestly’ in 2013, and a clear majority, 84%, cite ‘reducing fleet fuel expenses’ as a significant or very significant challenge.

The report examines the views of 260 fleet managers and decision makers, representing fleets with less than 25 vehicles to those with more than 1,000. These fleet leaders manage a broad range of fleet types including passenger transport, service delivery vans, haulage and company cars.

Although fleet leaders are cautiously optimistic about the year ahead, the underlying reasons vary. Sixty-nine per cent cite positive reasons for their outlook, while the balance feel uncertain or negative because of recent trends or a general sense of unease.

The positive reasons include adding new, fuel efficient vehicles to the fleet; seeing the positive impact of recent cost-cutting programmes; introducing new technology to help better run the fleet; and having well-trained drivers in-place.

“Overall we are encouraged by the optimism being expressed by UK fleet leaders,” said Tanya Roberts, senior vice president of marketing for GreenRoad.

“However, they still see plenty of challenges ahead, particularly concern about fuel costs and macro-economic uncertainties. There is interest in new, energy-efficient vehicles and new fleet technology implementations, such as driver performance management, that can mitigate these rising costs.”

2013 Challenges

UK fleet managers face diverse challenges in 2013. For more than one-third (36%), the biggest challenge is cutting fuel costs. Another 20% cite compliance with regulations while 16% believe it is ensuring drivers are driving safely.

Fleet leaders have a broad range of plans for dealing with rising fuel costs in 2013. Sixty-five per cent plan to purchase more fuel-efficient or alternative fuel vehicles; 51% plan to implement driver performance management technology; 25% plan to deploy fleet GPS tracking technology; 14% plan to implement fuel cards; and 2% plan to retrofit existing vehicles for alternative fuels.

“Fleet leaders are resilient. They are already looking ahead and making plans to help them cope with ongoing cost pressures,” said Roberts.

"Based on what we have learned in this study, we expect many more fleets to turn to fuel-efficient or alternative fuel vehicles and other innovative technology solutions to counter rising operating expenses."