97 per cent of the UK's fleets are excited about the potential changes that technology could bring to the automotive industry, but a majority feel that quantifying those benefits remains difficult. The figures are sourced from the latest BVRLA Fleet Technology Survey, which collected the views of more than 150 fleet managers, rental operators and leasing companies. Whilst one-third (34 per cent) of respondents claimed to be early adapters of new technology, more than half said that they prefer to wait until a clear return on investment can be demonstrated before introducing new tech to their process. Autonomous driving and safety tech have both had an extremely positive impact on the fleet industry, second only to ultra-low emission powertrains in terms of importance according to respondents.æ Reduced accident rates and reduced transport costs were both cited as major benefits of the technology. Respondents said that Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and in-car video are likely to be the most important safety technologies for fleets going forward. AEB in particular is widely regarded as the most important safety innovation to have emerged in recent years, and has been officially recognised by both motor insurance research organisation, Thatcham and the Euro NCAP safety performance assessment programme. The BVRLA has called for the Government to take a more active role in helping to promote this potentially life-saving technology. BVRLA chief executive, Gerry Kearney, said: 'Motor insurers and safety assessors have recognised the importance of AEB, as has the fleet industry.î 'It is now time for the government to take a lead by mandating the use of AEB-equipped cars across its own fleet and promoting wider uptake through the use of tax and other incentives. 'A progressive tax regime has helped the fleet sector achieve huge cuts in CO2 emissions. With the right support it could deliver similar reductions in the number of people killed or injured in road accidents.î
