So-called "savvy fleets" that were surveyed by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency for its Fleet Study get on average 7.06 mpg, compared to the average fleet that gets 5.83, according to NACFE executive director Michael Roeth.

A recent report from Navigant Research indicates that technology such as automated driving systems can provide benefits to commercial vehicles. Automated systems can reduce the number of accidents, use a more fuel efficient style of driving, and because they do not get distracted or need extended rest periods, operators can achieve higher levels of vehicle utilization, particularly in long haul applications. The report says that highly optimized and consistent autonomous systems can lead to significant reductions in commercial fleet fuel consumption and operating costs.

The pursuit of a fully automated driving car has spurred investment in advanced sensors and computing hardware and software, according to Navigant senior analyst David Alexander. Lower cost and higher power are the keys to commercial success, and the technology is quickly approaching the threshold where it will be practical to bring advanced features to the mass market. These systems are being rapidly adapted to the commercial vehicle market.

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