With surging demands on their services, commercial fleets cannot afford to operate without real-time data at their disposal. It can help keep services running efficiently, avoid disruption and assist managers to identify cost-savings or revenue generating opportunities.
At the heart of these data insights is telematics. These are systems that digitally connect your fleet, enabling operational intelligence – like allowing you to detect faults early and monitor battery health in EVs.
Understanding vehicle telematics
Telematics combines telecommunications and informatics to remotely collect and transmit real-time vehicle data.
Today, advanced EV software platforms help businesses monitor vehicle locations, driver behavior, and vehicle performance to improve fleet efficiency and safety.
For electric fleets, telematics is essential. It provides real-time insight into battery status, charging sequences and status, and energy usage across electric vans, trucks, and company vehicles.
Key terms, broken down:
- Vehicle telematics: Technology that captures and sends data from an individual vehicle to a centralized system.
- Fleet telematics: A platform that aggregates and presents data from multiple vehicles, enabling fleet-wide insights.
- GPS tracking: Uses satellite signals to monitor real-time vehicle movement and location.
With this data, operators can better manage their depots, local power constraints and the grid, cut costs, optimize route planning and look after the life of each vehicle.
How do vehicle telematics systems work?
A telematics system connects to a vehicle’s internal systems, captures health and performance data, and transmits it to a secure online platform for analysis.
Core components:
- OBD-II port or CAN-BUS interface: These diagnostic connections allow access to the vehicle’s internal data, including engine or battery metrics.
- GPS receiver: Pinpoints location, speed, and movement using satellite signals.
- SIM card and modem: Transfers data wirelessly via 3G, 4G, or 5G cellular networks.
- Accelerometer: Some telematics systems can detect sudden stops, sharp turns, collisions, and driving style patterns.
How it works:
Once installed, the device collects key data, such as engine load, battery charge and status, in real time. It then transmits this information to a cloud-based dashboard, where it’s processed and displayed.
Fleet operators can access these insights through web portals or mobile apps to monitor performance, improve safety and on-site efficiencies, or schedule maintenance.
For electric fleets, this data is especially valuable. It enables better charge scheduling, battery health monitoring, and real-time range awareness. For Posten Bring, for instance, this software is invaluable as it allows its fleet managers to monitor its vehicles in challenging weather conditions.
Key Benefits of Vehicle Telematics
Whether you manage electric or diesel fleets, telematics provides clear, measurable value across operations, safety, and cost control.
Business advantages:
- Increased productivity through live route optimization, reduced idle time, and better fleet-wide scheduling.
- Lower fuel and energy costs by identifying inefficient driving, excessive idling, and poor charging habits.
- Enhanced safety using real-time alerts, risk detection, and proactive driver coaching.
- Simplified compliance with digital logs, automatic reporting, and audit-ready documentation for regulations like HOS and IFTA.
- Improved asset security via GPS geofencing, movement alerts, and anti-tampering safeguards for vehicles and equipment.
Additional Value for EV Fleets:
Telematics supports smarter EV deployment planning. It helps track performance trends, battery degradation, and energy use over time – essential for total cost of ownership analysis.
Fleet managers can also forecast charging demand across locations, improving infrastructure planning as the fleet grows.
Driving industry value
Telematics delivers value across nearly every industry that relies on vehicles.
- Transportation & logistics: Monitor long-haul deliveries, optimize EV route planning and better manage asset health.
- Construction & equipment: Track high-value assets and reduce wasted energy.
- Utilities & public agencies: Coordinate electric vans and reduce downtime.
- Oil, gas & mining: Improve visibility and safety in remote job sites.
- Food & beverage: Track refrigerated loads and ensure cold chain compliance.
- Car rental & leasing: Monitor location, mileage, and driver behavior across rental fleets.
As more sectors adopt EVs, telematics becomes critical for energy tracking and infrastructure planning.
Looking towards the future
Telematics is evolving alongside technologies like AI, IoT, and smart cities.
- IoT expansion: More connected devices mean better monitoring and automation.
- AI integration: Predict engine faults, optimize driver routes, and improve fleet efficiency.
- Vehicle-to-everything (V2X): Connect with traffic lights, chargers, and city infrastructure.
- Sustainability: Telematics helps companies report emissions, manage energy use, and support carbon-reduction goals.
In regions like the UK, EU, and parts of the U.S. like California, telematics supports compliance with zero-emission targets and low-emission zone requirements.
As more businesses adopt EVs, telematics will also support smart charging infrastructure. Systems will track charger availability, energy costs, and grid demand in real time.
In the future, fleets could even sell power back to the grid using vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, turning EVs into flexible energy assets.
Assessing your needs
Before choosing a telematics solution, assess your fleet’s needs and goals.
Key questions to ask:
- What data insights are you missing that would provide business impact?
- Are you trying to reduce downtime, operational risk or optimize energy usage?
- Do you have complete insight into the health and performance of your vehicles?
- Are EVs part of your current or future operations?
Cost vs. value:
Most platforms offer subscription models. Companies often see ROI through lower energy costs, fewer breakdowns, and new revenue generation opportunities.
How to select the right system:
- Find a provider that understands the demands of fleet electrification on your operations, and can be flexible to your needs
- Check for tech-agnostic platforms – this gets you up and running faster with less complications
- Prioritize user-friendly dashboards and strong 24/7 customer support
- Ensure the telematics connects to everything from your EV batteries to charge systems and energy connections
Final thoughts
Vehicle telematics brings your fleet data to life. Whether you run delivery vans, public buses or large hauliers, it puts control in your hands.
For EV fleets, it’s essential. It tracks battery health, charging times, and driver efficiency, all in one place.
Now is the right time to explore how telematics can power your journey toward safer, smarter, and more sustainable fleet operations.
Ready to manage your electric fleet with precision? Discover our EV fleet management and fleet safety technology solutions today.