Fleet managers have long used data-driven systems to manage their fleets effectively. Today, electrification has resulted in more accurate decision-making and strategic guidance thanks to real-time data intelligence.
The result? Fleets that save money, meet ESG targets, and perform with greater reliability than ever before.
Why data is the real fuel of electrified fleets
Electric vehicles act like mobile data hubs. They generate richer, more frequent, and more actionable insights than internal combustion fleets.
Every charging session, route, and driver interaction generates intelligence. That information links directly to fleet digitization, replacing manual records and guesswork with automated systems.
The scale is significant: the EU has more than 289 million vehicles on the road, including 37 million commercial vehicles and buses. This shows that fleets account for a substantial share of total road traffic.
Even modest improvements, when applied across such a fleet base, deliver measurable environmental and operational impact.
What data does fleet electrification produce?
Fleet electrification can provide timely and actionable insights into your EV fleet operations. Below, we break down some of the data you can expect to see:
Vehicle performance data
Metrics such as acceleration and efficiency levels are all tracked. Managers use this to monitor wear, improve safety standards, and optimize route planning.
Energy data
EV charging creates a direct link to the wider energy system. Data on grid balancing, load management, and renewable energy integration helps fleets optimize charging costs, connect to the right energy sources, and support a more resilient and sustainable grid.
Battery health and operational data
Metrics such as state of charge (SOC), current, voltage and temperature can all impact battery health. By optimizing how and when vehicles charge, fleets can protect battery shelf life and maximize residual value.
With Hitachi ZeroCarbon’s battery management software, operators gain the insights needed to manage their most valuable asset effectively.
Operational efficiency data
Uptime, downtime, and total cost of ownership (TCO) figures provide the basis for balancing fleet size and maximising resource use.
Environmental data
Verified CO₂ reduction figures and energy mix data support transparent sustainability reporting and ESG compliance.
From data to decisions – how fleet managers use this insight
Data delivers value only when applied. Fleet managers are already leveraging EV insights to improve operations:
- Charging optimization lowers costs by shifting energy use to off-peak hours.
- Predictive maintenance spots issues early, reducing unplanned downtime.
- Smarter route planning improves efficiency and extends vehicle range.
- Verified emissions data strengthens ESG reporting and compliance.
The results are proven. Reports show that fleets using telematics can cut fuel or fuel consumption by up to 15%. Multiplied across hundreds or thousands of vehicles, the impact is substantial.
Case study – how Posten Bring turns EV data into action
One of the most compelling real-world examples comes from Posten Bring, a Nordic logistics company with ambitious net-zero targets.
The challenge: charging and operating more than 160 electric vehicles across Norway’s varied climate conditions without interrupting deliveries.
Hitachi’s ZeroCarbon Charge provided a data-led solution. By integrating smart charging systems at depots, Posten Bring gained live visibility of vehicle charge levels, load management, and tariff costs.
Key results included:
- 76 MWh of charging is managed every month without downtime.
- Tariff optimization that resulted in an average of 9% reduction in variable energy costs over the last 6 months
- Route planning informed by real-time battery status.
As Stig Tvergrov, Project Manager for Posten Bring, explained:
“We are now able to control load in a way that ensures uptime and supports our sustainability targets.”
What once seemed a logistical challenge – charging dozens of vehicles across multiple depots – became a model of digital fleet efficiency.
Lessons from Posten Bring – data in practice
The Posten Bring case provides transferable lessons for fleet managers worldwide:
- Load optimization avoids grid strain and prevents expensive infrastructure upgrades.
- Tariff-based charging aligns with lower energy prices, cutting costs.
- Advanced dashboards deliver insights that drive year-on-year improvement.
- Proactive diagnostics identify issues before they escalate.
These principles apply whether managing delivery vans in London, buses in Los Angeles, or taxis in Delhi.
The global picture
Fleet data solutions are being adopted worldwide as electrification accelerates.
- EU: 54 major cities have pledged to fully transition to zero-emission bus fleets by 2035, with some (e.g. Copenhagen, Paris) setting earlier targets of 2025–2030.
- UK: The Plug-in Van Grant has already supported 80,000+ electric van sales, with grants of up to £5,000 per vehicle. Logistics operators are adopting fleet data to cut costs and improve compliance.
- India: Last-mile delivery and public transport providers are rapidly adopting EV data tools. Analysts forecast 20–30% EV adoption in delivery fleets by 2025.
- US: EV registrations surged by 60% in Q1 2022 even as overall vehicle sales dropped. Fleets are leveraging data to optimize charging, integrate renewables, and scale effectively.
Building your fleet data strategy
Fleet managers can unlock the benefits of electrification data by following four steps:
- Start with telematics: Vehicles should be telematics-ready for live tracking, predictive maintenance, and reporting.
- Integrate charging infrastructure: Data-enabled charging depots provide insights into load, tariffs, and SOC.
- Partner with technology-agnostic providers: Flexibility ensures systems remain futureproof as technology evolves.
- Apply analytics: Data analytics allow fleets to scale operations and run efficiently, while keeping costs and emissions under control.
Benefits of fleet electrification data
Electrification data delivers both immediate operational wins and long-term strategic value.
Direct benefits include:
- Lower energy and maintenance costs.
- Higher uptime with fewer breakdowns.
- Smarter charging aligned with grid capacity.
- Reliable sustainability metrics for reporting.
- Stronger driver accountability and safer operations.
Beyond cost savings, electrification data strengthens fleet resilience, demonstrates environmental responsibility, and positions organizations to adapt as mobility models continue to evolve.
Key takeaways for fleet managers
Fleet electrification data powers EV operations by embedding intelligence into every decision. From battery health to route optimization, insights are continuous and actionable.
The real advantage lies in integration. Fleets that connect telematics, charging, and analytics into one strategy achieve greater efficiency and more predictable costs.
Managers who treat data as the foundation of electrification will not only cut expenses but also build fleets ready for future sustainability and mobility demands.
To explore how your organization can unlock the full potential of fleet electrification data, visit Hitachi ZeroCarbon’s solutions and see how tailored strategies can accelerate your EV operations.