The emergence of telematics in India

Being the seventh largest country by area in the world, with a population of 1.3 billion, India has one of the fastest growing economies. And with the car rental market in the country rapidly expanding, telematics is an emerging industry. Due to escalating fuel prices, the demand for vehicle navigation, and the fear of car theft, automotive telematics is needed more than ever in different parts of the world. In India specifically, automotive telematics is expected to exceed $500 million by the end of 2019. 

Interest in telematics

Tech Mahindra, a company that provides IT services and consulting, conducted a survey with 2021 respondents to understand the buying behavior and level of awareness of automotive telematics technologies in India. Here are the findings:

• 90% of respondents preferred buying a vehicle with telematics capabilities (in a 4 wheeler)
• 45% of respondents deemed it necessary to use telematics for safety and security
• 65% of respondents are comfortable with sharing their location details and driver behavior with fleet managers

Government of India mandates GPS tracking for public transport

As of January 1, 2019, the central government in India introduced a new AIS 140 Motor Vehicles Order that requires all new public transport vehicles in the country (excluding taxis and rickshaws) to be fitted with location tracking devices and emergency panic buttons. The main purpose of this mandate is to increase safety for travelling passengers.

See also: Why China is leading the world in electric vehicle sales

Insurance premium incentives

On the roads in India, you can spot two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger cars and commercial vehicles. With the amount of cars combined with the large population of the country, insurance companies have begun offering discounts on insurance premiums.

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has endorsed telematics as a way for drivers to save money while staying safe and becoming more aware of their surroundings. Based on driving behaviors, a car with a telematics device installed can save up to 30% on insurance premiums. According to IRDAI, Indian motorists spent a total of $7.73 billion USD in 2016 on insurance premiums. If everyone installed telematic devices in their cars, the savings would have equated to $1.6 billion USD for consumers.

The future of telematics in India

Along with the current benefits being offered by the government, such as insurance premiums, residents may be able to receive further incentives in the upcoming future. Companies in India are beginning to realize that with telematics, they will be able to not only track their fleets, but also achieve efficiency and transparency in current processes. With an increase in the use of telematics in the country, India will be making a giant leap towards modernization and hopes to become a Smart City.

Telematics around the world

Outside of India, the importance of telematics continues to be seen across the globe. According to Mckinsey & Company, the telematics industry could grow as large as $750 billion by 2030. The two main reasons for this include:

1. The need for connectivity and intelligence in vehicles is now being recognized more than ever by fleet managers.
2. Governments have started getting on-board in the last few years to mandate specific telematics services which is increasing the economic growth for the industry rapidly.

Telematics allows business and government fleets to track the fuel use, speed, and idling time of vehicles, and much more. This can be used to help manage and improve driving behavior and road safety, strengthen compliance and increase efficiency. Implementing a fleet telematics solution can also help provide intelligence for strategic planning, whether that’s planning daily routes or right-sizing your fleet.

Related:

Keep residual value high with telematics

Global telematics footprint expands in South East Asia