Future of fleet management: Four trends shaping our journey to 2035 

The mobility space is on the edge of transformative change, with new fleet technology promising to redefine everything from daily commutes to global logistics. It’s been suggested that the next 10 years will shape global mobility more profoundly than the last 50. 

But here’s the catch: no one can say for sure which innovations will break through to the mainstream. History is full of bold predictions that missed the mark. Remember when TV was dismissed as a passing fad? As Roy Amara famously put it, “We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run.”  

So, while we can’t predict exactly which technologies will dominate, we can spot the trends that are most likely to shape the future. Element’s recently released whitepaper The Great Mobility Shift: The next era of automotive transformation sets out to do just that.  

Based on expert interviews and global research, four key mobility trends stand out: 

1. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) 

2. Alternative energy 

3. AI and connectivity 

4. Shared and embedded mobility. 

Let’s explore what each means for the road ahead.  

Autonomous vehicles: From robotaxis to drones 

As with every major technological leap, change emerges in stages. Nowhere is that more visible than in the rise of autonomous vehicles. While AV technology is advancing fast, its path to mass adoption is anything but straightforward. 

Today, AVs are operational in select cities, with robotaxis leading the charge. By 2035, fleets of driverless taxis could be running in dozens of cities, especially in the U.S. and China. Long-haul trucking is another area set for disruption, with autonomous trucks poised to cut costs and solve congestion by running on dedicated highway corridors. Experts predict that nearly a third of new mid-distance trucks in the U.S. could be autonomous by 2035. 

“The appeal of autonomous trucks is they can run overnight at no added cost. This will not only reduce labor costs but will also help to solve congestion issues,” said Dr. Dulsha Kularatna-Abeywardana, Senior Lecturer in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Auckland. 

Personal use AVs, however, are likely to remain a niche. Most forecasts see only a small percentage of new cars reaching full autonomy by 2035. And let’s not forget aerial drones, which are already transforming delivery in low-density areas and could play a bigger role in logistics and healthcare. 

For fleet leaders, the biggest question is how to prepare. The real challenge isn’t just technology, it’s trust, regulation, and cost. Public skepticism remains high, and fragmented policies slow progress. But as safety benefits become clearer and costs fall, AVs could move from pilot projects to everyday reality, reshaping how fleets plan, deploy and maintain their assets..   

Alternative energy: Electrification and beyond 

While automation is redefining how vehicles move, electrification is transforming what powers them. Together, these shifts are creating the backbone of tomorrow’s mobility ecosystem.  

The shift to alternative energy is reshaping mobility worldwide, but progress varies by region. Norway leads with nearly 90% of new car sales being electric, while other markets lag behind. China, Europe, and parts of Latin America are making big strides, but infrastructure gaps and cultural resistance remain barriers. For your fleet, this means energy management will become as important as vehicle management. 

Battery innovation is accelerating, with new chemistries like sodium-ion and solid-state batteries promising lower costs, better performance, and faster charging. By 2035, wireless charging, both static and dynamic, could make refueling as simple as parking over a pad or driving on electrified roads. 

Electric vehicles are also becoming part of the energy ecosystem, thanks to vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. Imagine millions of cars plugged in overnight, stabilizing the grid and storing renewable energy. Hydrogen and biofuels will fill important niches, especially for heavy-duty transport and regions where electrification is tough. 

Still, challenges remain in the form of grid capacity, battery recycling, and equity. Hybrids may offer a practical bridge for fleets, balancing sustainability goals with operational realities.  

AI and connectivity: An emerging fleet technology 

Of course, the move to new power sources is only part of the story. Just as vital is intelligence in the form of software, sensors, and data systems that make mobility smarter, safer, and more predictive. 

Artificial intelligence and connectivity are quickly becoming the hidden engine of mobility. Today’s vehicles are only lightly connected, but by 2035, AI will orchestrate fleets, optimize routes, predict maintenance, and even assess insurance risks, all in real time. 

Edge computing will allow vehicles to process data instantly, making them safer and more responsive. Digital twins (virtual models of vehicles and components) will enable predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and costs. 

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication will let cars, trucks, drones, and infrastructure share data, improving safety and traffic management.  

“V2X capability for real-time communication between vehicles, surrounding infrastructure and users has a wealth of benefits,” said Evelyne Roy, Element’s Chief Data and Analytics Officer. “The value that will be created from data being generated from this level of connectivity will transform how insights are derived and decisions are made.” 

However, integration, privacy, and cybersecurity remain as major hurdles. AI platforms need to be easy to use and able to work smoothly with other systems, and regulations need to keep pace to ensure safety and accountability.  

Fleet leaders who invest in data visibility and secure AI tools will set the standard for efficiency and resilience. 

Shared and embedded mobility 

As fleets become more connected and intelligent, ownership itself begins to evolve. Ownership is giving way to flexible access, with subscriptions and on-demand services becoming mainstream. By 2035, mobility could be embedded into everything, from apartment leases to concert tickets and healthcare packages. 

Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) is evolving into Mobility-as-a-Feature (MaaF), where transportation is bundled seamlessly into other experiences. For example, Finland’s Whim app allows users to book public transit, e-scooters, taxis, and car rentals all through one platform. It is often bundled with other services such as housing or event packages. 

The business case is still fragile, with pricing and integration challenges to solve. But as mobility becomes a utility, always there, always optimized, it could fundamentally change how we live, work, and travel.  

Looking ahead: The next decade of fleet technology 

Each of these trends is advancing on its own timeline, but their convergence will define the future of fleet management. The question is not whether fleets will transform, but how quickly leaders can align technology, policy, and culture to make it happen. 

The next decade will be defined by tipping points, moments when cost, infrastructure, trust, and culture converge to make new fleet technology mainstream. Whether we look back at 2035 as the era when mobility became essential, or another missed opportunity, will depend on how we navigate these trends today. Because the road ahead is ours to shape. 

Download The Great Mobility Shift to explore Element’s full research on these transformative trends. 

Ready to plan your fleet’s future? Connect with our team to find out how Element can help you navigate your journey to 2035.