The commercial vehicle sector finds itself at a pivotal point of transition; this is arguably one of the most complex and fast-moving periods in recent memory. With new legislation, growing pressure to decarbonise and meet ZEV mandate targets, and constantly evolving technology, fleet operators must adapt swiftly, often without the help of tried-and-tested roadmaps.
Following the Commercial Vehicle Show, Matt Dillon, Head of Commercial Vehicles at Ayvens, shares key insights into the industry’s current challenges, market trends, and exciting innovations:
The practical challenge of selecting the right vehicle for the right operational need is one which all operators face. A greater choice of vehicles makes decision-making for the fleet more complex, and as new technology and legislation continues to be rolled out, what is best for performance and overall efficiency continues to change. The adjacent challenge is the infrastructure puzzle. Fleet electrification requires a robust charging network to support the acquisition of new vehicles, whether that be at depots, on the road, or at drivers’ homes. Each fleet faces its own unique set of challenges and there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution.
What can fleet decision-makers do to navigate these challenges?
To navigate these challenges, it’s important to take a considered and data-informed approach. Understanding the specific operational needs of each fleet can be reached through an audit of daily demands, commercial routes, vehicle utilisation and duty cycles – all of which the Consultancy Team at Ayvens is primed to manage.
Operational readiness for a fleet hinges largely on proactive maintenance. Downtime remains a major disruptor; even a single vehicle off the road can send a ripple across the business, frustrating drivers and co-ordinators alike.
Consequently, downtime must be managed rather than reacted to in order to sustain productivity. At Ayvens, significant investment has been made in solutions to help customers reduce unplanned vehicle off-road time. The VOR (Vehicle Off Road) and uptime solution provides a live portal and dashboard that gives fleet managers a complete overview and allows them to monitor and respond to maintenance issues in real time to keep vehicles road ready. In essence, if downtime isn’t being managed, then it’s managing you.
Beyond technical considerations, the practical, human side of fleet management remains just as impactful for monitoring the wellbeing of the fleet model. Depot walkarounds, in-person toolbox talks and one-to-one check-ins with lone drivers are easy ways to show a clear duty of care that will foster a safety-first culture and benefit the workforce.
What the latest CV market insights tell us?
Despite broader market challenges, there are encouraging signs of progress in EV transition. According to the latest from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), whilst overall van registrations are down 10.6% year-to-date, battery electric van (BEV) registrations have risen significantly (up 31.4%) and now represent 7.6% of the market, up from 5.2% this time last year.
Despite this, diesel remains very dominant, accounting for 86.3% year-to-date of the current market. This gives a clear message: the move towards electrification is gaining momentum thanks to promising developments in the EV space, but there is still a considerable way to go in the transition before electrification is adopted as the standard choice of commercial vehicle.
At the CV Show 2025, the Ayvens stand unveiled of the new Volkswagen Transporter T7, which will characterise the market’s response to the need for practical, high-performance solutions. Ayvens also showcased their ‘TCO+’ solution (Total Cost of Operation) – a comprehensive suite of tools and reports providing clear visibility into fleet selection, cost analysis and performance insights. These tools are helping fleets make informed, data-led decisions and ensuring that every aspect of fleet operation is carefully evaluated for the best outcome.
