Geotab Predicts quality data and AI will determine 2026 performance

Dublin, Ireland - December 12, 2025 – Geotab, a global leader in connected vehicles and asset management solutions, has released its 2026 industry predictions. The forecasts highlight the growing need for businesses to integrate high-integrity data and AI into their core operations to find productivity gains and remain competitive in an economy defined by tight margins.

Geotab 2026 Industry Predictions: 

1. Data and AI will play a bigger role in Irish road safety:
   Collisions across Irish roads continue to rise, underscoring the growing exposure faced by fleets, particularly when operating on busy urban routes and national roads. Within this context, traditional reactive measures are no longer sufficient. Greater road safety lies in high-integrity data that uses AI to predict risk rather than simply respond to incidents. In 2026, we will see fleet managers deploying advanced telematics and predictive analytics to identify emerging hazards, anticipate patterns of risky behaviour and proactively intervene. Instead of just recording accidents, Irish fleets will use this data to validate safety standards, effectively building the digital foundation required for future autonomous integration while allowing them to navigate high-volume corridors with predictive foresight rather than reactive panic.
2. EV adoption will shift from general education to data-led precision:
   Ireland’s EV market remains immature, especially within the fleet sector. A key barrier is the widespread misunderstanding around EV longevity and battery degradation, which continues to fuel hesitation among fleet operators. The next phase of adoption won’t be driven by education alone, but come from industry-specific intelligence. Fleet operators need precise, real-world performance data, tailored to the reality of their work. By grounding decisions in sector-level insights, operators can clearly evaluate where EVs deliver economic advantage. Furthermore, AI will allow them to simulate EV performance against the specific topography and traffic patterns of their actual routes. In 2026, this kind of operationally relevant data will be essential in demonstrating EV viability and accelerating the shift to cleaner, more efficient fleet operations across Ireland.
3. The "Fastway effect" will drive a rapid shift from cost containment to automated operations:
   Fastway’s move into receivership will have a significant impact on the sector and ripple effects can be expected well into 2026. The recent delays and disruptions in delivery services, as well as hundreds of job losses and 50,000 parcels stuck in transit, underline the mounting pressure faced by delivery fleets. Rising inflation, escalating operational costs and tighter margins are forcing fleet operators to reassess their strategies - moving beyond defensive cost containment measures to adopting AI as a core operational partner to enhance efficiency.  The technology will shift from merely answering questions to actively managing workflows and coordinating tasks across departments. By automating manual coordination that drains productivity, fleets will build the resilience needed to survive economic "boom and bust" cycles and protect themselves against future shocks.
4. Tech will become a key differentiator in driver retention:
   The shortage of Irish drivers poses a clear and present danger to the efficacy of the Irish supply chain. Drivers are enticed to move jobs at a growing frequency due to the promise of cash in hand or greater economic stability, while others are supplementing their income by “moonlighting” with other operators. 2026 will show how the opportunity lies in using technology not just to optimise fleet performance, but to improve the driver experience itself. AI and advanced analytics can remove much of the manual administrative friction that frustrates drivers and allow them to spend more time on higher-value work. By positioning technology as an operational partner that simplifies the day-to-day job, fleet managers can strengthen retention, enhance wellbeing and build a more resilient driving workforce.