During an interview with TechGraph, Rahul Mehra, Co-founder of Roadcast, spoke about how India’s commercial vehicle telematics market is pushing logistics companies to move from manual and semi-digital systems to intelligent connected fleet operations that enhance real-time visibility, safety, and efficiency.
He further explained how Roadcast is using artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyse telematics data in real time, providing insights that help fleet operators improve fuel efficiency, identify unsafe driving behaviour, and automate compliance processes to create safer and accountable fleet operations.
Read the interview in detail:
TechGraph: India’s commercial vehicle telematics market is projected to grow steadily over the next few years. What kind of structural changes in fleet operations do you think this growth will trigger for logistics companies that are still transitioning away from manual and semi-digital systems?
Rahul Mehra: India’s telematics market for commercial vehicles will drive logistics businesses towards greater digitalization. As adoption increases, semi-digital and manual ways of working will progressively be replaced by centralized, data-based fleet operations. Structural changes including automated planning of trips, vehicle and driver monitoring in real-time, predictive maintenance, and digitization of compliance checks will slowly become the norm. ERP and TMS integration will help streamline route optimization and fuel management though implementation will require planning and adaptation.
Decision-making will be affected especially as the shift happens from reactive to predictive, which will help minimize inefficiencies and enhance safety. Telematics will ensure tighter visibility, streamline processes and build a competitive advantage in the dynamic logistics landscape.
TechGraph: A large number of fleet operators continue to see telematics as nothing more than GPS tracking. What are the main reasons behind this limited perception, and how can companies like Roadcast encourage businesses to see the wider value of advanced fleet management solutions?
Rahul Mehra: Most fleet operators still equate telematics with basic GPS tracking because there is minimal awareness, high cost apprehension, and reluctance to move away from traditional practices. There is also minimal awareness of how data can drive efficiencies beyond location tracking.
To shift this perception, real benefits of sophisticated fleet solutions like fuel savings, predictive maintenance, driver behavior observation, compliance automation, and video telematics for safety need to be emphasized. Through pilot projects and case studies, operators can see tangible ROI and change their perception of telematics as an overall fleet optimization and business growth solution, and not just for tracking.
TechGraph: Roadcast already offers real-time monitoring, route optimization, and driver connectivity at scale. If you look ahead, what do you think will be the next breakthrough capability that will redefine how fleets in India are managed?
Rahul Mehra: The integration of AI-driven predictive intelligence will be the future breakthrough for fleet management in India. After tracking and optimization, fleets will utilize real-time information to forecast breakdowns, predict demand and dynamically reroute based on traffic, weather, and fuel economy.
Video telematics will track driver fatigue, distraction and compliance in real time, and enable a more proactive approach to safety rather than reactive one. Compatibility with EV infrastructure and green logistics planning will enhance cost management and sustainability even further. For Roadcast, combining predictive insights with automation will turn fleets into self-optimizing, future-proofed ecosystems.
TechGraph: With the rapid adoption of electric vehicles in logistics, fleet managers are facing new challenges such as battery health tracking and charging efficiency. How is Roadcast preparing its telematics solutions to address these EV-specific needs?
Rahul Mehra: With electric vehicles becoming increasingly popular in logistics, fleet managers have to contend with issues such as battery health monitoring and charging efficiency. Roadcast’s telematics offerings are being upgraded to track battery health, charge cycles, and range estimates in real time for maximum uptime. Smart routing takes into account charging station proximity, waiting time, and energy efficiency.
Charging behavior insights, energy expenditure, and predictive maintenance prevent battery degradation. Through incorporating these EV-specific measures into current route optimization and driver connectivity solutions, logistics operators can operate smarter, more efficiently, and cost-effectively electric fleets.
TechGraph: Road safety is now a central concern for regulators and enterprises alike. Apart from innovations like the alcohol breath analyzer, what role do you see telematics playing in reducing accidents, improving driver behavior, and supporting stronger compliance frameworks?
Rahul Mehra: Telematics is emerging as a proactive road safety tool. In addition to alcohol breath analyzers, sophisticated solutions track driver behavior like harsh braking, speeding, drowsiness, or telephone use. If anything unusual is detected, immediate feedback will be sent to halt the dangerous behavior.
As such, integrated video telematics adds context, enabling more effective coaching of drivers. Compliance is enhanced by automating driving hours, breaks, and vehicle check logs, minimizing regulatory infringements.
Cumulatively, all these measures minimize accidents, enhance responsibility, and promote a safe driving culture. Coupled with advancements such as breath analyzers, telematics provides an integrated ecosystem for safety.
TechGraph: As telematics systems generate enormous amounts of data on routes, drivers, and deliveries, issues of data privacy and security are becoming increasingly important. How is Roadcast addressing these challenges while ensuring clients still get actionable insights for decision-making?
Rahul Mehra: At Roadcast, we prioritize data privacy and security which is possible by embedding safeguards across its telematics platform. From routes to driver behavior, all data is encrypted end-to-end, ensuring it cannot be intercepted or misused. Strict role-based access controls let organizations decide who can view sensitive information, while anonymization techniques protect individual identities in analytics.
Compliance with current data protection paradigms helps ensure operations remain legally and ethically responsible. Concurrently, large databases are screened and organized into actionable insights, enabling fleet managers to maximize operations without sacrificing privacy.
This equilibrium between security and accessibility builds trust and facilitates informed decision-making.
TechGraph: Countries like the UAE and UK already have a higher level of telematics adoption and enforcement. What lessons from these markets do you think can realistically be applied in India, and in what ways do you expect India to develop a path that is different from global peers?
Rahul Mehra: Markets like the UAE and UK reveal how regulator-driven adoption, insurance discounts, and robust compliance programs spur telematics adoption. India can implement similar measures like requiring equipment in commercial vehicle fleets, connecting usage to lower insurance rates, and imposing safety regulations.
Nevertheless, India’s size, road networks, and decentralized logistics environment demand something different. Adoption will be cost-aware and mobile-led, with products designed for SMEs, last-mile delivery companies, and gray fleets. Unlike the top-down imposition overseas, India’s development will merge policy direction with tech innovation, rendering telematics affordable, scalable, and locally feasible.
