Work truck fleets are on the brink of change as 2025 approaches, bringing a wave of technological advancements, operational shifts, and evolving priorities. From the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) to the growing importance of customized telematics, these innovations promise new ways to operate smarter and more efficiently, but they also come with challenges.

To help you prepare, we’re launching a three-part series diving into the most critical trends shaping fleet management in 2025. In Part 1, we explore how AI, telematics, and data privacy transform operations and redefine what it means to run an efficient and competitive fleet. From practical tips to expert insights, this forecast will help you confidently navigate the changing landscape.

So, what’s the tech outlook for 2025? Let’s break it down.

Artificial Intelligence Will Drive Smarter Fleet Strategies

Artificial intelligence (AI) will continue to dominate conversations in fleet management and beyond. The technology promises to enhance safety, predictive maintenance, and better decision-making.

“Technology continues to be a focus for fleets moving into 2025. While still in its early stages, AI is the hottest buzzword in the fleet world, and interpreting complex data will no doubt be a driving force as fleet operators strive to get an edge over competitors,” said Jim Perkins, Director at Shell Fleet Solutions USA. “Finding new and user-friendly ways to utilize new technologies will be important in the year ahead.”

The role of fleet managers continues to evolve as AI-powered tools and telematics enable greater autonomy for drivers. These changes are set to redefine the relationship between technology and fleet management in 2025.

“As we’ve seen the first few steps into AI-powered tools in the last couple of years, I expect 2025 will continue to shift more responsibilities to drivers and potentially change what it means to be a fleet manager. Drivers might handle more themselves with the help of advanced tech,” said Erin Gilchrist, VP of Fleet Evangelism at Intellishift​.

In addition to AI, automation technologies are steadily advancing, bringing new opportunities for improving safety and efficiency in commercial vehicles.

“Commercial vehicle manufacturers continue to pursue autonomous trucking in various forms like adaptive cruise control and advanced safety systems,” explained Shalynn Simmons, General Manager of Commercial Truck Trader. “While the phrase ‘autonomous trucking’ can draw images of self-driving vehicles, commercial drivers shouldn’t worry. Work truck manufacturers are looking to improve driver safety on the road, along with fuel efficiency. In 2025, vehicle manufacturers and companies will look further into this automation.”

Sabina Martin, VP of Product Management at GEOTAB, explained that AI will transform fleet safety and maintenance by analyzing real-world data.

Whether for safety or maintenance, insights can be provided thanks to AI models trained on real-world data. These systems leverage billions of data points to deliver quality insights and identify collision risks and safety-critical maintenance issues with precision, setting new standards for efficiency and keeping drivers safe," she noted.

Mike Willey, Assistant General Manager at PacLease, highlighted the transformative impact of vehicle connectivity. “As technology expands, the connectivity of vehicles will improve dramatically,” Willey explained. “This will enable real-time communication between vehicles and fleet management systems, leading to enhanced route optimization, predictive maintenance, and better overall fleet management.”

According to Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered AI predictions, collaborative AI systems designed to work alongside human input will enhance decision-making in areas like route planning and maintenance scheduling. 

“Like 2024, total cost of ownership, overall business growth, and safety and maintenance are the topics that will continue to dominate discussion in 2025. Addressing barriers to reduce expenses and boost fleet productivity is an ongoing concern, providing an opportunity for those who work in the industry to guide fleets towards more streamlined operations,” Perkins of Shell added.

However, growing skepticism about AI’s real-world benefits may lead to increased scrutiny, requiring fleet managers to demonstrate clear returns on AI investments. Additionally, the rise of generative AI will pose new cybersecurity risks, emphasizing the need for robust data protection measures.

Mike Branch, VP of Data and Analytics at GEOTAB, pointed out that adoption will require trust and accountability. 

“Responsible AI moves from aspiration to expectation. Trust is the foundation to drive economic progress and realize the full potential of AI. In 2025, providers will lead with transparency, prioritize privacy, demonstrate safety, and commence adoption of sustainable AI practices,” he said.

And, as fleets adopt advanced telematics solutions to enhance operations, the implications for insurance and competitive positioning cannot be overlooked. Technology adoption will continue to be critical in mitigating risks and maintaining cost efficiency.

“If you’re not already using telematics to improve driver behavior and the practice of putting out a safer and better fleet isn’t baked into your culture, your ability to be competitive in the commercial auto market will be hampered. Your premium could be as much as 20-25% higher as a result,”said Lisa Paul, Chief Strategy Officer for Transportation at HUB International​. 

Trends Weather Forecast: Partly Sunny. AI will make progress but will require careful implementation and trust-building.

Telematics Integration Will Redefine Efficiency and Clarity

Telematics will remain a cornerstone of modern fleet management in 2025, with significant evolution on the horizon.

“Recently, one of the most important advances in the telematics space has been the addition of cameras to various telematics devices,” said Emily Graham, Director of Energy & Connectivity at Holman. “The units allow fleet operators to capture footage of the vehicle in use (outbound) and footage of the driver behind the wheel. With video-enabled telematics, fleet operators can monitor drivers for high-risk behaviors, and many devices can even provide alerts or coaching to improve performance in near real-time.”

Jeff Martin, VP of Global Sales Strategy at Lytx, noted that video safety technology paired with AI will be transformative. 

“Safety will be more than just a trend in 2025; it will remain a leading priority. Fleets that are using video safety technology with AI are benefiting from a greater level of insights and information,” he added. “Video with AI demonstrates that it can better inform training and protect industrial athletes behind the wheel and the communities they work in.”

In 2025, companies will be driven to focus on their total value realization, which includes safety, efficiency, and customer service. 

“We will continue to see greater acceptance of video safety solutions among younger drivers and technicians coming into the industry. This will also be coupled with cooperation from companies seeking video technology to protect their greatest assets, the safety of their employees, and pressure from insurance companies. Managers will also continue to maximize fleet tracking and DVIR solutions to ensure they have the best data lens so their company can operate at a higher level and expand cost-effectively,” Martin of Lytx added.

And customized telematics solutions are expected to continue to gain momentum. 

“Telematics is the standard for fleet success, and in 2025, it will shift towards customized insights to meet unique needs to stay competitive and efficient,” noted Neil Cawse, CEO and Founder of GEOTAB. The days of one-size-fits-all telematics are fading as fleets adopt tailored solutions to meet specific operational demands.

Telematics is set to be a major disruptor, offering capabilities that elevate fleet management to new levels of efficiency, especially in EVs, according to Ryan Gaul, President Commercial Vehicles at Workhorse. 

“With EVs, telematics provides precise insights into energy use, route efficiency, and charging needs, enabling fleets to optimize operations and reduce costs. While ICE vehicles have long served fleets reliably, EVs represent a logical evolution by pairing operational savings with actionable data that drives smarter decisions. From predictive maintenance to off-peak charging strategies, this data-driven approach will help fleets stay competitive in an increasingly electrified future,” he said.

Trends Weather Forecast: Sunny. Telematics will continue to pave the way for safer, more efficient operations.

Electric Vehicle Adoption Will Progress Despite Challenges

Sustainability and electric vehicles (EVs) had captured attention in 2024, but the pace of adoption has slowed as fleets reassessed their priorities. 

“Based on conversations we’re having with fleets, we’ve seen attention toward electric vehicles and enacting sustainability measures move down the list of priorities for the year ahead. While still a point of interest, many operators are taking a wait-and-see approach. Instead, many fleets are working on existing priorities that can be addressed today,” Perkins of Shell noted.

Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc., also addressed the role of subsidies in driving EV adoption, noting their critical importance to affordability and overall cost efficiency.

“Many fleets have interest in EVs, but subsidies play a large role in the affordability and total cost of ownership (TCO) of EV products,” Skinner said. “Reductions or eliminations of these subsidies will impact the pace of adoption of EVs.”

For those moving forward with electrification, telematics will play a critical role. 

“Telematics is set to be a major disruptor, offering capabilities that elevate fleet management to new levels of efficiency,” Gaul explained. “With EVs, telematics provides precise insights into energy use, route efficiency, and charging needs, enabling fleets to optimize operations and reduce costs.” 

EV momentum may have slowed, but its long-term potential remains undeniable. 

Trends Weather Forecast: Cloudy with Intermittent Sun. EV adoption progressed cautiously, but telematics drove its value.

Data Privacy Will Shape Trust in Connected Technologies

As fleets adopt more connected technologies, data privacy takes on a new importance. 

"Privacy-protected data will fuel smarter infrastructure. Privacy-first principles will define mobility data used in infrastructure planning. Providers embracing privacy by design principles will lead,using data safeguards, including aggregated data insights to protect privacy while providing insights that enable data-informed infrastructure decisions. This approach ensures strategic investments align with ethical data practices and user trust,” shared Shweta Shah, AVP of Intelligent Transportation Systems Product & Engineering at GEOTAB. 

Fleet managers recognize the importance of systems but must continue to prioritize security while leveraging the benefits of connected technology. 

Trends Weather Forecast: Overcast but Clearing. Data privacy remained a hurdle, but providers paved the way for secure solutions.

The Road Ahead Will Bring Opportunities and Challenges

As 2025 approaches, fleets face a horizon filled with both opportunities and challenges driven by advancements in AI, telematics, and data security. The road ahead demands a careful balance of innovation and practicality, where embracing emerging tools goes hand in hand with tackling today’s pressing concerns. 

By planning strategically and adopting technologies thoughtfully, you can can transform these trends into powerful assets, optimize operations, enhance safety, and drive greater efficiency.

Explore the full Work Truck 2025 Forecast series to stay ahead of the trends and challenges shaping fleet management in the year ahead:

• Operational Challenges and Trends in 2025: Discover how evolving upfitting capacity, supply chain dynamics, and outsourcing are transforming fleet operations. Read more! 

• Regulatory and Sustainability Challenges in 2025
  Learn how emissions compliance, remarketing, and alternative fuels will impact fleet strategies and explore scalable infrastructure solutions for EVs. Read more! 

What are your biggest challenges heading into 2025? Share your thoughts and strategies in the comments below!