Artificial Intelligence and Real-Time Data for Sustainable Fleet Management
Access to vehicle data is essential for achieving fleets’ strategic goals in terms of costs, safety, and sustainability. Access to real-time data is even better! On the occasion of Echoes’ participation in Global Fleet 2024, Matthieu Chènebit, CEO of Echoes, explains.
What is the biggest benefit of connected technology for fleet sustainability?
Echoes’ CarFleet solution is based on real-time data transmitted directly from the vehicles to the manufacturer via an onboard 4G/5G chip. This means there is no need to install a device or make any modifications to the vehicle: data transmission can begin immediately after the contract is signed. This data is generated by the numerous sensors found in modern vehicles, ranging from the odometer and flow meter to the speedometer and the traction battery charge level. Consolidated in a dedicated interface, this data can be analyzed and exported for future use.
With this tool, fleet managers can track and monitor the fuel consumption of their fleet of internal combustion or electric vehicles on a day-to-day basis, with a historical overview that allows them to track any changes. Specifically, CarFleet allows you to:
- Measure the fleet’s fuel or electricity consumption while identifying vehicles and/or drivers with abnormally high consumption figures.
- Analyze the behavior of vehicles experiencing excessive fuel consumption and identify the causes
- to take action on the vehicles in question or to contact the drivers at fault to urge them to slow down
- Monitor the results of the action plan on a daily basis and communicate them internally and externally.
By combining all these factors, fuel/electricity savings and emissions reductions could reach 25%, provided that the vehicles are closely monitored and tracked.
How will artificial intelligence improve the efficiency of fleet management in the coming years?
In the near future, it will be possible to take the optimization of company vehicle routes even further, thanks to various AI technological developments in CarFleet, in which Echoes is currently investing:
- Analysis of driver behavior in terms of acceleration and braking intensity. The goal is to identify abrupt driving behaviors that are harmful to the vehicle and its fuel consumption.
- Counting the number of passengers using seatbelt sensors. This will make it possible to analyze fuel consumption and emissions based on vehicle occupancy and to implement measures to encourage carpooling.
- Route analysis using artificial intelligence and route optimization in terms of schedules, routes, speed, and electric charging.
- Optimizing the Use of Charging Infrastructure
What can customers of Echoes' global fleets expect in the coming years?
In January 2024, Echoes announced its partnership with Moving Intelligence (MI), a leader in secure asset tracking, sustainable fleet management, and smart mobility. The combined group will create an undisputed European leader in smart connected vehicle solutions, serving customers in 10 European countries with 500,000 connected assets expected by the end of the year. By joining forces and pooling their resources, Echoes and MI will be able to offer management solutions specifically tailored to mid-sized fleets.
These solutions will provide SME executives with real-time, 360-degree monitoring of their fleets, not only for safety and traceability purposes but also for day-to-day management. The goal: more sustainable vehicle fleets, with less impact on the environment and on the company’s bottom line.