Fleet News
SearchVehicle-fleet operations, procurement, management or performance.
Fleet costs remain elevated as operators weigh replacement against repairs
Fleet operating costs are more than 20% above 2020 levels, with fuel, maintenance and acquisition costs pressuring budgets. Fleet managers are weighing vehicle replacement against continued repairs and using right-sizing, utilisation reviews and earlier ordering to manage spending.
Kodiak agrees to equip 75 DTL trucks for driverless operations
Kodiak has signed an agreement for DTL Transport to operate 75 trucks using its autonomous-driving system, with initial routes planned from Dallas to El Paso and Atlanta. The deal adds to Kodiak’s Texas freight operations as it reports 99% progress on its long-haul safety case ahead of a planned driverless highway launch.
Rising costs and a shrinking driver pool challenge truck fleets
Recruiting costs rose as the available truck-driver pool contracted, according to industry reports. Findings point to pay, equipment failures, lost miles and poor scheduling as factors in recruitment and retention, prompting fleets to look beyond recruitment spending.
Geotab presentation links AI, video and coaching to fleet safety
Geotab’s Will Batty said telematics, video and AI can help fleets identify risk and understand driving events. A 90-day pilot showed how baseline data, in-cab alerts and manager coaching can reduce risky behaviour, with driver trust and safety culture central to success.
Guide outlines fleet costs and defences against catalytic converter theft
The article advises fleet managers to assess the full costs of catalytic converter theft, including damage, downtime and insurance impacts, and recommends layered safeguards such as secure parking, physical shields, traceable marking and telematics alerts.
NSW RFS to take ownership of 6,000-vehicle fleet in 2027
Legislation will transfer ownership of more than 6,000 NSW Rural Fire Service vehicles from councils to the RFS from 1 July 2027. A $470 million investment over 10 years includes up to eight regional maintenance hubs and fleet safety and maintenance upgrades.
Infinity adds 24 KRONE container trailers to its fleet
UK container haulier Infinity has put 24 KRONE Box Liner FS10 skeletal trailers into service, increasing capacity and enabling it to carry multiple container sizes using a single chassis type.
Preventive maintenance helps rental fleets reduce downtime
Preventive maintenance can help rental-car operators spot wear early, schedule servicing and limit vehicle downtime. Fleet-monitoring data such as mileage and usage can support maintenance planning, though it does not replace technical inspections.
HelloFresh to roll out Samsara telematics across more than 500 electric vans
HelloFresh Benelux will deploy Samsara’s telematics platform across more than 500 electric delivery vans after a Netherlands pilot. The system will support driver safety coaching, vehicle monitoring and temperature checks.
Distraction falls but remains a leading cause of major truck incidents
NTARC analysis found inattention and distraction incidents among NTI-insured heavy vehicles fell 33.1% from 2023 to 2025, but still accounted for 13.8% of major incidents. The report does not establish what caused the decline.
Roehl offers experienced truck drivers a $10,000 retention incentive
Roehl Transport is offering experienced Class A CDL drivers who join between 2 November and 14 December 2026 up to $10,000, paid in instalments tied to hauling their first load and every 10,000 miles thereafter.
GP Transco combines truck equipment and driver coaching to improve fuel efficiency
The US and Canada-based fleet has made aerodynamic equipment and solar panels part of its truck specifications, alongside driver coaching and fuel-economy incentives. GP Transco says incremental fuel savings help fund investments in its workforce.
DingGo brings AI repair estimates to Carbar vehicle returns
DingGo has partnered with Carbar Australia to add its AI Crash Intelligence platform to vehicle returns, generating repair estimates from photos using historical Australian repair data. The companies say this can help resolve damage costs sooner and reduce disputes.
Why vehicle context matters for truck diagnostics and uptime
Sonatus argues that fault codes without surrounding vehicle data can drive repeat repairs, warranty costs and alert fatigue. It says event-triggered data capture on heavy trucks could provide better diagnostic context and support future predictive models.
Fleet managers see IIHS crash testing and commercial-vehicle safety research
A Fleet Forward excursion to IIHS’s Virginia research centre gave fleet managers a live crash-test demonstration and a look at research into crash protection, automatic braking and pedestrian avoidance in vans and pickups.
Australian fleet analysis estimates savings from switching to electric SUVs
A cost comparison estimates that an Australian business running 10 SUVs for 20,000km a year could save about A$24,700 in energy costs by switching from petrol to electric. Savings depend on electricity prices, charging access and other ownership costs.
SureCam outlines fleet uses for LiveCheck video
SureCam describes using LiveCheck’s on-demand vehicle-camera feeds for lone-worker welfare checks, remote safety audits and dispatcher visibility. It cites a California traffic-control contractor that reported a 70% productivity increase after introducing daily randomised audits.
Ford expands mobile servicing for Australian fleets
Ford is expanding dealer-operated mobile servicing through its Ford Pro rollout in Australia, bringing routine maintenance to fleet depots and workplaces. The model aims to reduce vehicle downtime and staff time spent taking vehicles to and from workshops.
Toyota reports shorter vehicle waits as fleet buyers reassess supplier delivery
Toyota says increased stock is bringing many model wait times towards three months. The article examines what improved availability and delivery certainty mean for Australian fleets, including procurement choices and the costs of delays.
New Nissan Patrol production begins ahead of Australian fleet deliveries
Right-hand-drive Patrol production has started at Nissan Shatai Kyushu in Japan, with Australian deliveries due in early 2027. The SUV gains a revised ladder-frame chassis, more high-strength steel and a maximum braked towing capacity of 3,700kg.
How vehicle tracking developed into fleet telematics
Gannet Guard Systems traces 30 years of vehicle monitoring in Poland, from radio tracking stolen cars to telematics that uses location, route, fuel and operating data to support fleet and asset management.
Toyota reports temporary disruption to service parts supply
Toyota says an upgrade to its core business systems has disrupted supplies of some service parts. The company is working to restore normal operations, but has not specified affected parts, the extent of delays or a recovery date.
Chad Edmondson wins 2026 Fleet Safety Award
VSC Fire & Security fleet director Chad Edmondson has won the 2026 Fleet Safety Award, recognising his work developing a centralised programme overseeing more than 1,100 fleet assets and promoting driver safety through collaboration and employee engagement.
Joseph Lukacs named 2026 Global Fleet Manager of the Year
Sherwin-Williams fleet leader Joseph Lukacs won the 2026 Global Fleet Manager of the Year award. He oversees more than 12,000 vehicles and has helped cut fleet CO₂ emissions by 4.1% since 2023, including through electric-vehicle adoption in California.
IIHS finds crash-avoidance gaps in cargo vans and Class 3 pickups
IIHS testing found mixed front-crash prevention performance among cargo vans and Class 3 pickups, with gaps in detecting vehicles, motorcycles and pedestrians. The findings give fleet managers safety data for vehicle purchasing; further testing is planned through 2027.
Bretts Transport invests over £500,000 in Microlise fleet platform
Cambridgeshire-based Bretts Transport will deploy Microlise’s transport management, telematics and compliance systems across 180 assets. The investment aims to consolidate operations and support a 3% improvement in fuel efficiency.
AmpolCard adds public EV charging payments for fleets
Ampol has added public charging at all AmpCharge sites in Australia to AmpolCard, bringing fuel, charging and convenience purchases onto one account with unified billing and reporting for businesses operating mixed fleets.
Hilti to add 130 Škoda Enyaq EVs to its Australian fleet
Hilti will progressively add 130 Škoda Enyaq Sportline electric SUVs to its Australian fleet from 2026 to 2028. The company says the deal supports its emissions-reduction goals and field operations.
Platform Science adds four tools to its PS Fleet suite
Platform Science has added dispatch, driver-coaching, truck-location sharing and remote video-settings tools to PS Fleet, giving fleet teams more control over operations and safety workflows.
PrePass launches fleet analytics for bypass savings, toll costs and safety
PrePass Intelligence combines bypass, toll, safety and available GPS data to help fleets measure savings, identify toll overcharges and flag operational anomalies. The service is available at no extra cost to customers using PrePass Bypass and Toll solutions.
Wickham Freight Lines buys solar-charged electric refrigeration unit
Wickham Freight Lines has bought a Sunswap Endurance battery-electric refrigeration unit after a 1,671 km Sydney–Brisbane trial. The solar-charged system finished the 32-hour journey with 67% battery charge remaining.
BYD outlines measures to support fleet resale values
BYD Australia and New Zealand says it is avoiding heavy discounts, adding lower-priced variants and using Pickles auctions to provide fleet buyers with resale data. Early ATTO 3 results indicate about 55% residual value after three years.
AfMA outlines plans for member participation and fleet-professional development
AfMA has outlined proposed constitutional changes to increase member participation, alongside expanded training and clearer career pathways for fleet professionals. Its board will develop an implementation plan; Executive Director Mace Hartley has been confirmed for a further five years.
US diesel costs remain a major concern for trucking fleets
Diesel averaged $6.276 a gallon nationwide on 19 October, up nearly 10 cents in a week and $2.656 year on year. ATA economist Bob Costello warned that low distillate stocks and limits on oil-reserve releases could keep prices high; an industry survey ranked fuel costs as trucking’s top concern.
T&E study links EU company-car electrification to jobs and investment
T&E estimates that faster electrification of large corporate fleets, alongside Made-in-EU conditions on financial support, could create up to 344,000 additional jobs and €18bn in extra investment by 2030. Germany and Poland are forecast to gain the most.
EU clean corporate vehicle rules could create €48bn and 344,000 jobs
Fraunhofer ISI modelling commissioned by T&E estimates that strong implementation of the EU Clean Corporate Vehicles Regulation could generate up to €48bn in value creation and 344,000 jobs by 2030, with gains linked to faster electrification and EU-based production.
Australian government fleet to test vehicle-to-grid services
ARENA, Jet Charge, AGL and the ACT Government will run a three-year trial involving up to 130 electric vehicles and bidirectional chargers. The project will test whether fleet vehicles can support the grid and generate revenue or reduce costs.
NARVA reverse alarm receives Australia’s first component type approval
NARVA says its reverse alarm, integrated into the AeroTech Multi-Function Light Box, has received Australia’s first Component Type Approval for a reverse alarm. The approval covers the alarm configuration under ADR 42/05, not the complete light box or finished vehicle.
Motive launches AI Agents to automate fleet alert follow-up
Motive’s AI Agents let fleets configure responses to alerts, including contacting drivers, opening maintenance work orders and escalating issues to managers. The tools are available now, with voice outreach and further workflow automation planned.
Fleet managers set criteria for policy exceptions
Former Boehringer Ingelheim and UCB fleet leaders describe how medical or ergonomic vehicle accommodations can be assessed, documented and periodically reviewed without undermining consistent fleet policies.
Guide outlines Dutch fleet rules and management systems
A GPS-Buddy guide explains how fleet-management systems support vehicle tracking, costs and compliance, and outlines Dutch requirements including the truck levy and smart tachographs introduced in 2026, plus a 2027 levy on some fossil-fuel and hybrid company cars.
Chery details diesel plug-in hybrid Stockman ute for Australian fleets
Chery has outlined specifications for its upcoming Stockman plug-in hybrid ute, including a 96km WLTP electric range, 350kW combined power and 3,495kg braked towing capacity. Australian customer deliveries are scheduled to start on 1 February 2027.
Ford expands fleet downtime support through its Uptime Command Centre
Ford’s Uptime Command Centre monitors large fleets for vehicles off the road and can escalate parts orders or technical support through dealers. Ford aims to use connected-vehicle data to anticipate maintenance needs, with measurable fleet availability the key test.
Element to support Waymo’s planned Toronto robotaxi fleet
Element Fleet Management will oversee maintenance, charging, infrastructure and fleet readiness for Waymo’s planned Toronto robotaxi service, targeting its first public riders in 2028. The work extends an existing partnership supporting Waymo in San Diego.
Lytx adds weather-adjusted speed alerts to fleet risk platform
Lytx has added Speed for Conditions to its Dynamic Risk platform. The AI-powered feature detects adverse weather, applies fleet-configured speed thresholds and alerts drivers when they exceed them, with events recorded for manager review and coaching.
Samsara unveils AI agents and fleet platform updates at UK user group
Samsara showcased AI agents, an external AI connector, a unified incident queue, fuel-management updates and 360-degree cameras at its UK user group. Several features are now live or generally available; the company is seeking customer feedback on others.
Fleet right-sizing and utilisation data can support emissions cuts
Geosecure’s Travis Weir urged fleet managers to analyse utilisation and right-size fleets before procuring EVs. He cited telematics-enabled savings at Wagga Wagga City Council of A$1.5m in capital spending and A$900,000 in fuel costs.
Diesel prices top trucking industry concerns in 2026 survey
ATRI’s 2026 survey of nearly 3,100 trucking stakeholders ranked diesel prices as the industry’s leading concern, up 17 places. The economy fell from first to sixth, while lawsuit reform, insurance costs and driver shortages also featured prominently.
