A connected vehicle is a powerful tool rather than just a mode of transport – Ericsson

Fleet operations are critical to the UK economy, with the road freight logistics sector contributing £170 billion and employing over 8% of the nation’s workforce. Furthermore, high-performing fleets are crucial to the seamless operation of various industries, including utility providers, roadside assistance services, and waste management companies.

Unfortunately, business confidence within fleets in the UK has dropped compared to previous years. This is because operators are facing higher operational costs and regulatory pressures to modernize their fleets so they can operate more sustainably. For example, fuel duties alone generated £24.3 billion for the UK Government in 2024. Facing these economic pressures, it’s unsurprising that the logistics sector saw a slight decrease in the number of businesses operating in the sector, and many fleet businesses are looking for ways to drive efficiencies and reduce their costs.

In 2025, Ericsson has conducted industry research among technology decision-makers in fleet operations to gain a deeper understanding of their business challenges. Our research examined how poor connectivity impacts their operations and why enhancing connectivity and resilience is crucial for them to remain competitive.

The research was conducted by Opinion Matters, among a sample of 400 UK, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland-based fleet managers. The data was collected between July 29 and August 11, 2025. Methodology

Our research findings show that managers of high-performing fleets understand the importance of high-speed connectivity within vehicles, as it allows them to gain more visibility into their operations, helping them optimize routes, reduce fuel consumption, and improve overall efficiency. Unfortunately, many are still facing significant downtime, which is leading to an increase in administrative work, and more concerningly, higher rates of customer complaints and damage to their reputation.

In this report, we examine the current state of fleet connectivity, the primary barriers to optimal performance, and how fleet managers can leverage innovative solutions to enhance overall resiliency and competitiveness.

Stop for fuel not for network downtime