THE HEALTH ISSUE
The holistic health of fleets
Enhancing vehicle, driver and battery wellbeing can be a game-changer, says Chris Horbowyj, UK commercial director, Targa Viasat UK
As the mobility landscape evolves, the idea of ‘health’ within fleet operations has expanded far beyond routine vehicle servicing and driver safety checks. Today, health touches every part of a fleet’s ecosystem, spanning drivers, vehicles, battery systems and overall fleet condition.
With the growing integration of electric vehicles and increasing pressure to reduce downtime and emissions, fleet health has become a key operational benchmark. Understanding and managing this broad concept is essential for any fleet manager seeking to maintain performance and long-term efficiency.
Traditional vehicle maintenance schedules remain essential, but the shift toward electric and hybrid fleets introduces new challenges. One of the most significant changes is the role of the battery. In EVs, the battery is no longer just a component; it’s a central asset that determines range, reliability and overall vehicle value.
Effective battery management involves more than regular charging routines. Poor management can reduce range, introduce safety risks and accelerate depreciation of the vehicle. On the other hand, a data-informed charging strategy – one that factors in charge status, driving habits and mission requirements – can extend battery life and reduce unexpected issues.
Monitoring real-time battery health – including charge cycles, mileage range and thermal status – enables fleet managers to plan more efficiently, ensuring vehicles are available when needed and minimising the risk of mid-operation failures. A proactive approach to battery health also supports vehicle resale value, particularly as the used EV market matures and battery condition becomes a deciding factor in pricing.
When discussing EVs, it’s also important to highlight the value of real-time TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring system) alerts. This feature is especially relevant for fleets and leasing companies, as it helps maximise vehicle range, reduce wear and tear and, most importantly, prevent tyre blowouts and their potential consequences for driver safety.
Proactive asset management
Asset management is essential for maintaining vehicle safety and preserving long-term value. By providing real-time insights into vehicle condition, battery health and usage patterns, it allows fleet managers to detect issues before they become critical, reducing the risk of accidents, breakdowns, or unsafe operating conditions. Proactive maintenance scheduling keeps vehicles in optimal working order, ensuring the safety of drivers and cargo.
The solution also supports operational efficiency by working seamlessly with existing IT systems, helping re-engineer internal processes and eliminate unnecessary costs. Real-time data can reduce risks such as theft or fraud, while tools tailored to electric fleets – such as remote charging control, battery monitoring and usage reporting – make BEVs and PHEVs integration more seamless. Ultimately, asset management empowers fleet managers to make strategic, data-driven decisions that enhance both asset longevity and fleet profitability.
“Monitoring real-time battery health – including charge cycles, mileage range and thermal status – enables fleet managers to plan more efficiently”
Chris Horbowyj UK commercial director Targa Viasat UK
Support for driver health and safety
Drivers remain at the heart of every fleet operation. While ensuring their health and safety has long been a priority, digital tools are enabling new forms of support. Driver behaviour monitoring is an area of rapid development. By tracking metrics such as harsh braking, acceleration and idle time, operators can identify patterns that may signal fatigue, distraction, or poor driving habits. When combined with video telematics – including AI-powered dashcams – this data provides valuable context, helping confirm incident causes and enabling real-time feedback to improve behaviour. These tools not only enhance safety but also enable early intervention and risk reduction. Giving drivers access to their own performance data and video insights fosters greater accountability, encourages self-correction and supports continuous improvement.
Holistic health management
Fleet managers are increasingly expected to balance efficiency, cost control and environmental responsibility, often with limited resources. In this context, a focus on health across all areas of fleet management provides a practical framework for improvement.
A well-maintained vehicle lasts longer, performs more reliably and is cheaper to operate. A supported driver is safer, more productive and less likely to be involved in incidents. Meanwhile, a monitored and coordinated fleet enables better decision-making and minimises downtime. Case studies from operational fleets, including leasing companies such as Pendragon and Grosvenor Leasing, demonstrate how enhanced visibility into vehicle condition and usage patterns can reduce Vehicle Off-Road (VOR) incidents and prevent theft, thereby improving both driver and vehicle safety.
Holistic fleet health spans vehicles, drivers and operations. With real-time insights into condition, charge levels, usage patterns and maintenance history, whether for ICE, PHEV or EV models, fleet managers can make smarter allocation decisions and minimise risks and delays. This approach also strengthens lifecycle management: shifting from reactive to proactive maintenance lowers costs, extends vehicle lifespan and supports environmental targets through better utilisation and reduced emissions. Ultimately, managing fleet health as a whole system delivers measurable benefits in performance, safety and operational efficiency.
Future trends
As mobility continues to evolve toward electrification, automation and sustainability, the importance of fleet health will only grow. Effectively managing it requires a broader, more connected approach, shifting from reactive to proactive maintenance, from isolated systems to integrated platforms and from treating health as an afterthought to making it a central operational priority.
In the long run, healthier fleets are not only more efficient and cost-effective, they’re also more resilient, safer and better prepared for the challenges of the future.
