A new global study conducted by Bridgestone’s fleet management solution Webfleet has revealed that majority of fleet managers are in favour of digitisation of fleets and that artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and electric vehicles (EVs) will have the most impact on the future of fleet management. The study also found that 58 percent of fleet managers expect to be using AI within the next five years.

A total of 1,800 fleet managers from 15 different countries participated in the study, which aimed to provide insight into the state of fleet digitisation today and in the future. The results demonstrate that fleets want to invest more in digital fleet solutions going forward and that there is a strong anticipated adoption of EV and AI technology.

As per the study, 91 percent of fleet managers expect to increase their investment in digital fleet technologies over the next five years. Fifty-two percent of them cited improvements in efficiency and reduced operational costs as the most compelling reason for investing in digital solutions, whereas 49 percent cited enhanced driver and vehicle safety as the top reason.

Another strong point highlighted by the study is that AI, ML and EVs will have the biggest impact on the future of fleet management. Electric vehicles (30 percent) and AI and ML (32 percent), according to fleet managers, will have the most influence on fleet management in the upcoming years. Currently, 23 percent of fleet managers use AI, while 35 percent intend to do so within the next five years. Most respondents agree that AI will have a big impact on fleet management in the future. Specifically, 62 percent think AI will optimise logistics and route planning, 56 percent think it will increase driver safety and 55 percent think it will improve asset management and predictive maintenance. However, 21 percent of fleet managers expressed concern about how AI will alter their workday, with process integration (53 percent) and data security and privacy (49 percent) being the top worries.

The report also made clear that, with EV adoption expected to rise over the next several years, electric vehicles represent the fleet of the future for businesses. In the next five years, 85 percent of fleet managers anticipate having more electric and hybrid cars in their fleet. It is anticipated that among those who think their vehicle mix will change, the percentage of electric and hybrid cars would nearly double, rising from 37 percent to 63 percent of the fleet by 2029.

Jan-Maarten de Vries, President – Fleet Management Solutions, Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, said, “The move towards digital solutions, including AI, is no surprise to us and a clear indication of where the future of fleet management is headed. Our study reaffirms the critical role that digital fleet solutions play in increasing fleet efficiency, reducing costs and enhancing driver and vehicle safety. It's clear that investment in these technologies will only continue to grow. Artificial Intelligence and electric vehicles are transformative technologies that will continue to enhance fleet management. At Webfleet, we’re pioneering these technologies to ease adoption for fleets, always with a commitment to improved safety, sustainability, productivity and efficiency."

At the IAA Transportation, which takes place in Hannover, Germany, from 17-22 September, Webfleet will celebrate 25 years of telematics innovation. The company will showcase its new AI Assistant at the Bridgestone Fleet Care exhibit in Hall 12, C54 and the Webfleet exhibit in Hall 25, B60.

Sentury Tire USA has opened pre-enrolment for its two associate dealer programmes (ADPs), the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program and the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program, underscoring the company’s commitment to rewarding dedication and partnership to the Landsail and Delinte brands.

The ADPs, which are customised for each brand and intended to encourage dealers, will formally start on 1 June 2025. Both programmes give dealers access to special benefits, incentives and strong tools to help them expand their businesses. This involves dependable customer service, effective marketing and worthwhile financial incentives to promote dealers' success at every stage.

Beginning in Q3, dealers may earn up to USD three per tyre through the Delinte HYPERDRIVE Associate Dealer Program. Dealers can receive retroactive benefits for purchases completed in Q2 if they register before 1 June. The awards are available for all Delinte PTR, LTR and the new DV3 LMD AS last-mile delivery tyres. For all Landsail PTR and LTR tyres, independent dealers that sign up for the Landsail Elyte Associate Dealer Program can also earn up to USD three per tyre. For customers who sign up by June 1, the new LMD 100 AS last-mile delivery is also eligible for the benefits and will get the same early bird incentive for Q2 2025.

No initial order is necessary. Dealers only need to register to begin making money. According to the monthly programme rewards structure, 48 tyre purchases each month are eligible for a reward of USD one per tyre, 120 tyres are eligible for a reward of USD two per tyre and 240 or more tyres are eligible for a reward of USD three per tyre.

ENSO, a London-based tyre manufacturer engaged in the production of sustainable tyres specially designed for electric vehicles (EVs), has launched its new ENSO Premium range of EV-specific ultra-high-performance (UHP) tyres aimed at drivers of high-performance EVs such as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

Specifically designed for electric passenger vehicles, the ENSO Premium range comes with A/A EU-label ratings for both energy efficiency and wet grip. The tyres are designed to provide safety, increased range and a reduced total cost of ownership. Conventional tyre designs frequently fall short of the special performance needs of electric vehicles, which include greater vehicle weight, regenerative braking and higher torque loads. By lowering tyre wear and rolling resistance, ENSO Premium takes care of these issues.

The company is an authorised provider of replacement tyres for LEVC's electric taxis and has partnered with Uber to install its tyres in high-mileage metropolitan areas. The company now plans to grow throughout Europe and North America, and with ENSO Premium, it is now offering its services to individual EV owners throughout the United Kingdom. According to ENSO, the range offers advantages including longer tyre life and fewer replacements, lower energy usage, fewer charging stops and lower CO₂ emissions and tyre particle pollution.

Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, CEO and Co-Founder, ENSO, said, “We’re plugging a long-standing gap in the tyre market by offering EV drivers a purpose-built, affordable, premium EV tyre alternative that matches the innovation of their EV.”

Kraton Corporation, a leading global sustainable producer of specialty polymers and high-value bio-based products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has announced a general price hike in North America for its SBS, SIS and HSBC product lines with effect from 1 May 2025.

Following a careful analysis of the effects of recently implemented tariffs, related cost increases and a conclusion that the company cannot independently absorb these repercussions, Kraton is adopting these pricing hikes, according to a company statement. The company further said that it will keep an eye on the scene and reassess these measures promptly in the event that conditions and US import tariffs alter.

Trelleborg Tires will showcase its latest tyre solutions for the logistics and material handling industry at the upcoming Intermodal South America 2025, Latin America’s largest and most comprehensive event for logistics, intralogistics, cargo transportation, technology and foreign trade, from 22 to 24 April on booth L100.

Trelleborg's XP1000 tyre is engineered to deliver exceptional performance in terms of comfort, stability, fuel efficiency, durability and mileage. To tackle the demands of today's interlogistics work, this tyre is ideal. By using its unique integrated Pit Stop Line technology, fleet managers can better ensure operator safety and save waste and downtime by knowing when to change their tyres. Locally made, the XP1000 has a cutting-edge tread that is intended to operate sustainably. The tyre's revolutionary fibre composition, which is manufactured from recycled materials, reduces CO2 emissions by up to 110 tonnes annually while saving 866 tonnes of new materials. The new CX940 has an extra-strong casing, an enhanced tread design and a wear-resistant compound that lowers the chance of cuts and punctures. These qualities guarantee great stability, outstanding grip and superior load distribution.

Alessandro Sacco, Sales Director of Trelleborg Tires in South America, said, “Being able to respond quickly and effectively to the specific needs of the South American market is essential. Thanks to our local production, we’re bringing top-quality, high-performance tyres exactly where and when they’re needed. We’re not just supplying products; we’re delivering advanced tyre technology built to match the pace and pressure of today’s logistics. Whether our customers operate in high-intensity ports or dynamic warehouse environments, they can count on Trelleborg Tyres to deliver long-lasting performance while ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness every step of the way.”