Fleets press pause on tech adoption amid market uncertainty

Commercial fleets’ anticipate delaying the introduction of new technologies for the first time since 2022, but it’s not for lack of appetite. That’s according to Escalent’s most recent Fleet Technology Index (FTI), which measures market readiness and expectation for technology adoption.

The FTI score saw an overall 13% decline in 2026.

The year-over-year FTI score for core technologies (battery-electric vehicles, telematics, autonomous vehicles, and data analytics) declined by 11% and by 16% for emerging technologies (mobility services/shared assets, blockchain, artificial intelligence and drones). AI saw the lowest year-over-year decrease across all technologies at 1%.

Escalent’s Fleet Advisory Hub noted that this diminished enthusiasm comes as a result of continued market volatility.

Escalent’s Fleet Advisory Hub noted that this diminished enthusiasm comes as a result of continued market volatility.

“What we are seeing play out is less about a rejection of technology itself and much more about timing, confidence and shifting priorities. Navigating policy changes, economic uncertainty and significant market disruption, fleet companies are prioritizing what matters most in today’s business landscape,” said Lucas Lowden, an insights consultant in Escalent’s automotive and mobility group. “With a greater focus on operational stability, investment in new technologies takes a backseat.”

Lowden likened the slump to the post-pandemic downturn in 2021 and 2022, noting that fleets are likely to resume new tech adoptions in two to three years.

In the meantime, the report said fleet professionals remain actively engaged in learning about the benefits and value those technologies offer. The data shows that the number of data analytics shoppers — defined as those who have gathered information or completed a cost analysis — grew by 9% year over year.