The majority of fleet operators have concerns over how carmakers will provide access to valuable connected car data and are also not prepared to pay for such access.

The research found that both fleet managers (41%) and BVRLA members (36%) think data protection is the shared responsibility.

The Fleet Technology Survey, carried out by the BVRLA with the findings revealed today (5 July) at its BVRLA’s Fleet Technology Congress 2017, found that around 70% of the 300-odd BVRLA member and fleet manager respondents believe that vehicle manufacturers have an obligation to provide vehicle data, with 86% saying that they should not have to pay for it.

Yet 79% were concerned that vehicle manufacturers would restrict access to telematics data in order to further their own business goals.

And 89% believe that manufacturers should allow them to install third party telematics devices, provided that they meet agreed security standards.

With the introduction of the new General Data Protection Regulation less than a year away, more than 50% of respondents said that their company had a clear strategy regarding its collection and use of driver and vehicle data and understood its responsibilities.

The research also found that both fleet managers (41%) and BVRLA members (36%) think data protection is the shared responsibility of anyone who handles it.

Yet the survey found opinions were divided on who was responsible for controlling, securing and cleansing data:

Drivers were also divided on their views on sharing data, with 95% happy to do so if it helped to diagnose or prevent faults, 93% for automatically alerting a breakdown company and 82% if such data helps a manufacturer identify safety and warranty issues with its parts (82%).

However, 44% were not comfortable with the idea of sharing data about their driving behaviour and performance and 36% not comfortable on the sale of data about their location, local weather conditions or vehicle performance.

“Connected vehicle data is rapidly becoming the new currency of the fleet sector and will drive many business models in future,” said BVRLA chief executive, Gerry Keaney.

“This is a new, unregulated environment which explains much of the uncertainty and concern about the roles and responsibilities played by different fleet sector participants.

“Our responsibility is clear. The BVRLA will play a lead role in helping the fleet sector work with government and the wider automotive supply chain to ensure that all parties share data in an open, secure and fair way.”