By Colm Gallagher, Chief Data Scientist, Hitachi ZeroCarbon
Behind every electric vehicle (EV) lies a hidden hero: the data that drives everything from charging patterns and battery performance to route efficiency. Yet without the right tools, this information sits idly.
Data is the backbone of electrification. In the EV era, it is far more than a diagnostic tool; it sits at the centre of smarter route planning, predictive maintenance and energy management, while also shaping the power networks that support EVs. Charging infrastructure, grid integration, and peak-demand forecasting all depend on reliable, real-time data to ensure fleets not only keep moving, but thrive sustainably and become a strategic asset to generate new revenue streams.
Fleets face growing pressure to decarbonise and meet government targets by 2035, leaving managers with the challenge of transforming ambition into action. As the industry stands on the cusp of major change, data is emerging as the guiding force supporting managers every step of the way.
Partnering with the right tools
Connected vehicles today generate far more data than in the past due to their ability to communicate with other vehicles, software and sensors. The vast amount of information collected ranges from battery health to energy distribution, which, without the right systems in place, can be overwhelming to understand. To capture its full value, this data must be analysed through intelligent platforms that improve efficiency, streamline operations, and enhance decision-making. However, achieving this requires advanced telematics capable of continuously monitoring performance, efficiency and range to unlock the true potential of electrified fleets.
Fleet managers can now draw on tools that are able to consolidate information from multiple sources including charging stations, batteries and grid interfaces. By unifying these data streams, platforms provide a clearer operational picture and simplify actions that previously required manual interrogation or guesswork. With this level of insight, operators can optimise vehicle performance, predict maintenance needs before problems arise, plan routes and charging schedules more effectively and reduce both energy use and operating costs.
Data-driven decision-making is also fundamental to sustainability. Reliable, real-time insights ensure every vehicle contributes to both environmental targets and overall performance. It can accurately record emissions, monitor for degradation and support more sustainable decision making.
In an industry evolving at such unprecedented speed, data remains the driving force behind smarter fleet management and the foundation upon which full electrification will succeed.
Enhancing fleet performance with data
Accurate, continuous insight into battery behaviour further strengthens long-term performance. For example, COBUS Industries enables customer to gain a clearer understanding of battery degradation patterns in fluctuating climates, which allows them to adjust usage and protect battery health before it begins impacting operations. These kinds of data-driven insights ensure vehicles maintain optimal performance across diverse conditions.
Performance also transforms route planning. With reliable, real-time information on vehicle capabilities, fleet managers can plan routes that align with actual vehicle performance, ensuring smoother journeys and more consistent outcomes. Turning raw performance data into predictive insights empowers managers to make smarter decisions around vehicle rotation, infrastructure needs and overall fleet readiness – laying the groundwork for a more resilient, high-performing fleet.
The role of data in building efficient, cost-effective charging networks
Electrification shifts fleets from refuelling to recharging, making it essential to monitor energy use from the very beginning. Charging data reveals how, when and where vehicles draw power, forming the basis for building efficient and scalable charging strategies.
This data doesn’t just support fleet operations, it also plays a key role in wider grid and city planning. By forecasting demand and identifying peak-pressure points, charging insights help prevent strain on local networks and ensure infrastructure is deployed where it is most needed. Without reliable data, designing an accessible and resilient charging network becomes significantly more difficult.
For fleet operators, accurate energy data provides the clarity needed for long-term planning. It highlights consumption patterns, future charging demands and opportunities to meet sustainability and regulatory targets. Without this foundation, fleets can avoid costly infrastructure investments that fail to match operational needs or future grid capacity.
Data’s value becomes even more apparent in cost optimisation. Smart energy management systems allow fleets to schedule charging during off-peak periods or when renewable energy is more available, reducing electricity spend while easing grid demand. Real-time insights help fine-tune these strategies, minimise idle charging time and maintain charger performance. Shared charging models also enhance cost efficiencies: First Bus, for example, found many depot chargers sat idle during the day and opened them to partner fleets for an agreed fee – generating revenue while supporting a more balanced use of local grid resources.
In conclusion
Data is the force that powers modern fleet electrification. Real-time insights enable operators to monitor charger performance, minimise idle time, prevent overcharging and plan smarter energy use. With accurate information, fleets can fine-tune charging schedules, lower the cost per kWh and maximise the return on their investments.
Ultimately, data isn’t optional – it’s the lifeblood of electrified fleets. It provides unprecedented visibility into battery health, vehicle performance, charging behaviour and energy use, turning complexity into clear, actionable insights. Its true power lies in what it enables: faster decisions, smarter operations and vehicles that stay on the road. The transition to zero-emission transport is already in motion, and the fleets that harness their data with purpose won’t just adapt – they’ll lead the way.
