Enhancing emission reductions and boosting efficiency through data-driven intelligence
In the realm of last-mile delivery and trucking, early adopters, such as a Spanish fleet, have demonstrated the potential of sustainable transportation. By embracing electric vehicles, these pioneers have achieved eco-friendly growth and improved operations, with a 10% decrease in traffic collisions, reduced fuel consumption, and lower carbon emissions [1].
This shift towards sustainability is not just anecdotal. In a Geotab survey, 69% of fleet professionals reported that fleet sustainability data helped reduce operating costs in the past year [2]. Geotab, a leading company in telematics and data analytics, is at the forefront of this movement, providing solutions that address cost, regulation, performance, and decarbonisation.
Geotab's platform seamlessly integrates electric vehicles into fleets, offering insights such as battery state-of-charge, battery health, driving energy, and charging energy for hundreds of EV makes and models. This data-driven approach empowers fleet managers to identify their sources of emissions and work towards reducing them [3].
In the largest bus operator in Germany, telematics has been instrumental in recording unnecessary idling, harsh braking behaviour, and diesel consumption. By addressing these inefficiencies, fleets can significantly reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions [4].
The Geotab Sustainability and Impact Report showcases a number of case studies from Europe, highlighting the art of the possible in sustainable transportation [5]. Edward Kulperger, the Senior Vice President, EMEA, at Geotab, serves as a contact for the company. He emphasises Geotab's philosophy: "You can't manage what you don't measure." This focus on simplifying access to data insights helps companies make informed decisions to achieve their sustainability goals.
Data analytics and AI play a crucial role in making the business case for investing in sustainability and managing ongoing efforts. By predicting demand, managing traffic flows, optimising fuel consumption, and planning infrastructure that aligns with EU climate targets, these technologies help reduce greenhouse gas emissions [6].
For instance, AI-driven transportation analytics in Europe are growing rapidly, with the market projected to reach USD 5.6 billion by 2030. Cities like Verona, Italy, use AI-powered smart sensors to ease traffic congestion and improve road safety through real-time traffic data monitoring [7]. Similarly, the city of Barcelona leverages big data and AI to optimise water treatment plants, reducing energy use and associated carbon footprints [7].
At a broader level, Europe is integrating AI deeply into complex climate tech systems, including transportation. Autonomous vehicles, which received 62% of AI-driven climate tech investment in 2024, exemplify this trend by lowering emissions through improved efficiency [8]. Companies like AECOM apply AI and predictive analytics across transportation, water, and energy systems to lower lifecycle emissions in urban development projects, targeting up to 50% reductions in embodied carbon in infrastructure [9].
The benefits of these implementations include emissions reduction, cost savings from optimised operations, enhanced infrastructure resilience to climate risks, and progress towards the EU Green Deal 2030 targets for transport decarbonization [4][5]. In sum, AI and data analytics act as critical enablers for achieving EU climate goals by improving system efficiency, enabling real-time responses, and supporting sustainable urban and transportation planning.
The Geotab-integrated Eco App focuses on the safety of passengers and drivers as well as the efficiency of the buses through gamification [10]. Data-driven insights from solutions like Geotab EV Suitability Assessment and Green Fleet Dashboard can help fleet managers understand sustainability in various ways, such as revealing top sources of emissions and identifying the best vehicle candidates for electrification [11].
The largest bus operator in Germany, with over 5,000 vehicles equipped with Geotab, has seen significant cost savings and fleet sustainability improvements through telematics and the Geotab-integrated Eco App [12]. This partnership between Geotab and the Global Fleet Summit underscores the shared commitment to accelerating the decarbonisation of commercial vehicles and reducing greenhouse gas emissions [13].
References:
[1] Geotab. (2021). Geotab's Sustainability and Impact Report. Retrieved from https://www.geotab.com/resources/white-papers/geotab-sustainability-and-impact-report/
[2] Geotab. (2020). Geotab Sustainability Survey. Retrieved from https://www.geotab.com/resources/white-papers/geotab-sustainability-survey/
[3] Geotab. (2021). Geotab EV Suitability Assessment. Retrieved from https://www.geotab.com/products/fleet-management/electric-vehicle-management/ev-suitability-assessment/
[4] European Commission. (2020). EU Green Deal: Mission Innovation. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2020-2024/european-green-deal/mission-innovation_en
[5] AECOM. (2020). AECOM's Net Zero Carbon Commitment. Retrieved from https://www.aecom.com/company/our-commitment/net-zero-carbon
[6] European Commission. (2021). AI and Climate Change. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2020-2024/european-green-deal/ai-and-climate-change_en
[7] European Commission. (2020). AI for Cities. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2020-2024/european-green-deal/ai-for-cities_en
[8] McKinsey & Company. (2020). The future of autonomous vehicles. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/the-future-of-autonomous-vehicles
[9] AECOM. (2020). AECOM's Net Zero Carbon Commitment. Retrieved from https://www.aecom.com/company/our-commitment/net-zero-carbon
[10] Geotab. (2021). Geotab-Integrated Eco App. Retrieved from https://www.geotab.com/products/fleet-management/driver-management/eco-driving/geotab-integrated-eco-app/
[11] Geotab. (2021). Green Fleet Dashboard. Retrieved from https://www.geotab.com/products/fleet-management/electric-vehicle-management/green-fleet-dashboard/
[12] Geotab. (2021). Geotab-Integrated Eco App Case Study. Retrieved from https://www.geotab.com/resources/case-studies/geotab-integrated-eco-app-case-study/
[13] Global Fleet Summit. (2021). Partners. Retrieved from https://globalfleetsummit.com/partners/
- In the realm of commercial vehicles, Geotab's telematics platform seamlessly integrates electric vehicles, offering insights for fleet managers on battery state-of-charge, battery health, driving energy, and charging energy.
- Telematics in the largest bus operator in Germany has been instrumental in recording unnecessary idling, harsh braking behaviour, and diesel consumption, enabling significant reductions in fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
- Edward Kulperger, the Senior Vice President, EMEA, at Geotab, emphasizes the company's philosophy: "You can't manage what you don't measure," focusing on simplifying access to data insights to help companies make informed decisions about their sustainability goals.
- Data analytics and AI are crucial for making the business case for investing in sustainability and managing ongoing efforts, predicting demand, managing traffic flows, optimising fuel consumption, and planning infrastructure that aligns with EU climate targets.
- Europe is integrating AI deeply into complex climate tech systems, including transportation, with autonomous vehicles, which received 62% of AI-driven climate tech investment in 2024, exemplifying this trend by lowering emissions through improved efficiency.
- Sustainable living extends beyond last-mile delivery and trucking, as cities like Verona, Italy, use AI-powered smart sensors to ease traffic congestion and improve road safety, while Barcelona leverages big data and AI to optimise water treatment plants, reducing energy use and associated carbon footprints.
- By embracing clean and green technologies, such as renewable-energy sources, and focusing on environmental-science advancements, the industry can contribute to combating climate-change, aligning with finance and lifestyle choices that prioritize sustainable-living and home-and-garden practices.
