Digital gaps stall fleet emission progress, warns Alphabet report

Fleet emissions are under increasing scrutiny across Europe, but a lack of digital readiness is preventing many businesses from converting ambition into action, according to the latest European Fleet Emission Monitor (EFEM) published by Alphabet.

The 2025 EFEM report, which surveyed over 740 fleet managers in 12 countries including the UK, reveals a stark disconnect between data collection and actionable insights: only 27% of companies can accurately quantify their fleet’s CO₂ emissions, despite nearly half now tracking them.

In the UK, the figures are even more concerning. Just 21.4% of companies are using fleet management tools to measure emissions, and over 40% still rely on outdated fuel-based estimates — a clear sign that manual systems and legacy tools continue to hold back progress.

“This year’s European survey shows that, while the industry is making progress, there’s still plenty of work to be done to help companies make better informed decisions, and to support them with their sustainability goals and emissions reporting,” said Ian Turner, Chief Sales Officer for Alphabet (GB).

The EFEM report highlights the rising importance of sustainability in fleet decision-making: 76.2% of UK companies say it is a key concern. Yet, just 9.5% said recent regulatory developments — including the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive — had influenced their fleet strategy.

This mismatch reflects a deeper issue: while awareness of sustainability is high, concrete planning and digital capability remain weak. Across the UK and Europe, only 3.3% of surveyed companies are using AI for fleet reporting, with similarly low numbers adopting automation for billing and emissions management.

“Advanced vehicle connectivity, AI and carbon reporting tools will play a crucial role in fleet reporting over the next 12 to 24 months by enabling real-time data collection, review, and action,” Turner added. “This will lead to improved efficiency, reduced costs, and better driver safety, which will ultimately bring operational and strategic resilience.”

Despite a growing push towards electrification, the report also finds one-third of UK fleet managers feel misinformed or confused about e-mobility options — with many unaware of government incentives or unable to fully understand their benefits.

Only 23.8% of UK companies said they fully grasped the financial advantages available to them, and 33.3% admitted to having little or no knowledge of support schemes — a worrying gap that continues to stifle EV adoption.

This disconnect between policy and implementation poses a major threat to emissions targets, particularly as the EU and UK introduce stricter compliance requirements in the lead-up to 2030.

While the EFEM shows signs of growing interest in sustainability — including nearly two-thirds of companies having set future CO₂ targets — it also underscores a critical message: without the right tools, targets alone are not enough.

Businesses with dedicated sustainability functions reported spending more time tracking emissions, suggesting that when infrastructure and intent align, real progress becomes possible. Still, the report warns that many companies remain trapped in a “data-rich but insight-poor” environment.

Alphabet’s message is clear: it’s time for fleets to move beyond basic tracking and invest in the digital tools that turn data into action. “Data analysis is the cornerstone to realising this potential,” Turner concluded.