According to Vantage Market Research, the global fleet telematics market is set to nearly triple in size within just eight years. It was valued at USD 26.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 75.7 billion by 2030. This surge reflects the increasing reliance on telematics-driven digital solutions to optimize fleet efficiency, enhance safety, and meet evolving regulatory demands.
At Gurtam, we have built fleet digitalization tools for over two decades. Through the tech bubbles and their bursts to the rise of the modern digital landscape, we’re excited to explore and contribute to the rich fabric of fleet management being evolved and transformed.
In this article, we discuss the key trends shaping the digital future of transportation and logistics, providing you with Gurtam’s internal insights into what’s next for the industry and how businesses can stay ahead of the curve.
I. Expansion of new types of vehicles
EVs and hybrids
Electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid models are becoming mainstream in commercial fleets in many regions and are gaining a higher percentage of general presence worldwide.
The EU demands EVs account for about 80% of new car sales in 2030 and 100% by 2035, which is not always treated as a realistic goal; however, these demands will also influence the total number of EVs percentage over global fleets.
This transition will catalyze deeper digital integration within fleet operations, as every aspect of EV management relies on interconnected, data-driven systems.
Current tools will more fully support EV features, both those for general fleet management and those specific to electric or hybrid vehicles. More tools will appear for better EV management, such as commercial-grade apps for preserving battery quality and prolonging battery life.
Self-driving cars and autonomous fleets
Though some AVs are on the road now (in markets such as San Francisco, Phoenix, Wuhan, and Beijing), the technology has yet to be broadly deployed. While 60% of current vehicles have some level of driver assistance, only 1-2% of global vehicle sales in 2026 are expected to perform most driving tasks.
If we’re talking about the near future, just as driver behavior monitoring can improve the work of real drivers, analysis of AV performance can improve their performance as commercial vehicles and the role of their automated features in achieving efficiency. We will only be able to discuss the full-blown digital integration of 100% autonomous vehicles in several years.
Zero-emission and ultra-low emission vehicles (ZEVs & ULEVs)
The shift toward ZEVs and ULEVs will drive deeper digitalization across fleet operations, as managing these vehicles requires sophisticated telematics, advanced energy management systems, and AI-powered analytics. Fleet operators will integrate real-time emissions monitoring, intelligent route optimization based on charging infrastructure, and predictive battery health diagnostics to maximize efficiency and compliance.
Additionally, regulatory reporting for emissions and sustainability goals will become more automated, leveraging big data and cloud-based platforms to ensure fleets meet evolving environmental mandates without disrupting operational workflows.
II. More sophisticated and effective AI
Context-aware AI
AI models will increasingly be trained on specific fleet data sources. With vast amounts of fleet management data accumulated daily from commercial fleets, platforms like flespi provide a significant foundation for AI-driven insights.
Training these models could be handled directly by those who need the insights, such as fleet owners or governments.
👉 Read more about the fleet management trends highlighted by our team.
Video telematics with AI
AI-driven video telematics solutions are now helping fleets monitor driver behavior, prevent accidents, and improve safety compliance. With their rising adoption, they will become more accessible and offer more features for capturing and analyzing what happens inside and around the vehicle.
👉 Learn how AI cameras helped eliminate road accidents for a tanker transport company in Honduras.
AI-enabled driver coaching and evaluation
Machine learning algorithms can assess driver behavior in real-time and provide feedback to improve performance. AI-powered coaching tools will become standard practice in fleet management, helping reduce accidents and optimize fuel efficiency.
Predictive maintenance
Predictive maintenance shifts vehicle upkeep from reactive or scheduled servicing to a real-time, data-driven approach. As IoT sensors, telematics, and AI-powered analytics become more sophisticated, fleets will increasingly rely on automated diagnostics and predictive algorithms to anticipate mechanical failures before they happen.
The rise of predictive maintenance will also drive deeper integration between fleet management platforms and OEM vehicle data. This shift will require more advanced data processing capabilities, cloud-based analytics, and real-time connectivity, accelerating the demand for 5G networks and edge computing solutions in fleet management.
AI in сustomer support
AI-powered customer service tools, such as the AI assistants in the Wialon ecosystem and the flespi’s AI technical support assistant, are already transforming fleet management support.
Automated solutions streamline issue resolution, reducing reliance on human agents and improving response times. As companies adopt these practices, they will mass-train AI models to acquire more context and answer more complex questions, improving the quality of services for all fleet management system users in the transportation landscape.
III. Fleet management trends shaping digitalization development paths
Compliance and regulatory alignment
Transportation and logistics companies are subject to tens, if not hundreds, of regulations, depending on the region, type of operations, and other factors. Eventually, the majority of them must be and will be covered by digital fleet management systems. The concept of digitalization for compliance boils down to collecting the correct fleet data and automatically sending it to the regulatory bodies or storing it for proof, investigation, and control.
👉 Read more about staying compliant with regulations in transportation with fleet management software
Industry- and region-tailored solutions
The rising complexity of projects means fleet management platforms will need more specific features or even possibilities for custom development. For example, we consider Wialon the ultimate fleet management platform suitable for any industry, project, or fleet; however, it also offers more specialized features for smart farming or public transportation management.
Customized solutions usually require more effort and might be more challenging to scale, but we at Gurtam do see a lot of room for them in the following years. In addition, industry- and region-tailored digital solutions will require more implementation and integration jobs, training, ongoing support, maintenance assistance, and consulting.
Bigger shift from basic GPS tracking to advanced telematics
As Gurtam presented at the Transport Innovation Forum 2024 in Vilnius, Lithuania, telematics services are facing the need to evolve from basic GPS tracking to sophisticated tools offering data-driven insights for businesses. Hence, we can expect the rise of the complexity of the platforms and solutions and shift the norm from a fot-on-the-map tool to a robust app with many features.
Empowering drivers instead of control
Repositioning fleet digitalization solutions as a driver support mechanism rather than a surveillance tool helps foster driver loyalty and improve retention.
The industry is shifting from driver monitoring to driver safety, and solution providers should understand and speak the same language.
On the tide of these shifts, features for safety, driver behavior monitoring, and reporting will evolve, gathering more information, processing it faster, and offering better historical insights and live guidance to dispatchers and drivers.
OEM data integration
We see more cases of OEM data integrated into aftermarket telematics platforms. Modern fleet management systems can take in, analyze, and process data from any telematics source, whether OEM or aftermarket. The two markets that worked separately for so long are finally beginning to merge.
5G сonnectivity
5G networks will enable real-time, high-speed data transfer, allowing fleets to process vehicle diagnostics, driver behavior, and telematics insights with near-zero latency, leading to faster decision-making.
This will enhance autonomous vehicle capabilities, supporting advanced V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communication for safer and more efficient navigation in smart cities. Additionally, predictive maintenance and AI-driven analytics will improve as 5G allows continuous, high-volume data streams from onboard sensors.
IV. SaaS tech trends
Cybersecurity and data protection
As fleet management tools increasingly rely on cloud technology, SaaS trends play a crucial role in digital transformation. With digitalization comes the critical challenge of cybersecurity. Where there is commercial or personal data, protection is essential, and systems managing people and assets must function securely.
Global standards like ISO/SAE 21434:2021 set cybersecurity requirements for vehicle electronics, ensuring protection throughout their lifecycle, while regulations such as GDPR focus on data privacy and handling. Securing systems is a shared responsibility among all stakeholders in commercial transportation, and digital tools will continue evolving to safeguard growing data sets, prevent disruptions, and defend against cyber threats.
Big data and data science
Due to cloud computing, AI-driven analytics, and IoT connectivity, big data and data science are now more accessible, eliminating the need for costly infrastructure. Fleet operators can now optimize routes, monitor fuel use, and predict maintenance in real time without specialized expertise.
Looking ahead, 5G, edge computing, and standardized data-sharing will further simplify access, enabling faster decision-making and seamless fleet optimization. As real-time insights become the norm, fleet digitalization will accelerate, making data-driven efficiency a standard across the industry.
V. The business side of digitalization
ROI of digitalization and actual cost savings
Investing in digital solutions leads to tangible cost savings. A 2025 Verizon Connect report highlights that from 2021 to 2025, average fuel savings doubled from 8% to 16%, and average accident cost savings doubled from 11% to 22%. For each of the last five years, about one-third of GPS fleet tracking users have seen a positive ROI in less than six months.
Solutions that deliver straightforward, quantifiable ROI will drive widespread adoption as fleet operators prioritize technologies that provide immediate (or reasonably fast) and sustained financial benefits.
Digitalization’s positive impact across the supply chain
Fleet digitalization benefits not just operators but the entire supply chain. Improved logistics, real-time tracking, and automated workflows enhance efficiency for all stakeholders involved in transportation and delivery networks.
Global trade factors impacting fleet management
Supply chain disruptions and shifting trade policies continue to influence the fleet management industry, particularly in the sourcing and production of telematics hardware. Recent history has shown how external events can impact global supply chains — for example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, delays in Chinese manufacturing led to shortages in key vehicle components, including GPS trackers and semiconductors.
A similar scenario could unfold as regulatory changes, supply chain constraints, and fluctuating production costs reshape the availability and pricing of telematics devices. Companies reliant on imported components may need to diversify suppliers, explore local manufacturing, or adapt to new logistics strategies. While the full impact of evolving trade dynamics remains uncertain, fleet digitalization will continue to be influenced by changes in manufacturing, labor costs, and global market trends.
👉 Read more on flespi’s forecast for telematics in 2025
The digitalization imperative: adapt or fall behind
According to Berg Insight, the number of fleet management systems in active use in Europe alone surpassed 16.3 million units in 2023 and is projected to reach 27.6 million in 2028.
As digital tools become more sophisticated and accessible, not only fleet operators but all the participants of the transportation industry who fail to adopt these innovations risk falling behind in an increasingly tech-driven landscape.
At Gurtam, we don’t just observe the digital transformation of transportation; we drive it. To remain at the forefront of the industry, subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insights into the future of fleet management and more.
