Polestar has launched a new connected service for fleet operators, Polestar Fleet Telematics, promising to make electric vehicle (EV) management smarter, cleaner, and more efficient.
But while the system offers genuine innovation, it also highlights a growing trend across the automotive industry: manufacturers seeking tighter control of customer data and vehicle connectivity.
The new platform, developed with partners Echoes, Geotab, and High Mobility, gives fleet operators access to real-time vehicle data, predictive insights, and integration with major fleet management platforms, without the need for extra hardware.
It’s positioned as a frictionless solution for managing large electric fleets, helping operators cut costs and improve uptime.
“Polestar Fleet Telematics combines sustainability with intelligence, empowering operators to make smarter, data-driven decisions that benefit both their business and the planet,” said Ramon Lingen, Head of Global Fleet and Pre-owned at Polestar.
Why it Matters
OEM telematics could create new barriers to accessing the vehicle data needed for diagnostics, maintenance, and repair. As connected vehicle technology continues to develop, the aftermarket’s ability to compete will increasingly depend on access to the same real-time data streams used by OEMs and their preferred partners.
Industry advocates have long warned that without clear rules on data sharing, the rise of proprietary telematics systems could reduce competition and limit customer choice — both for fleet operators and for the workshops that service their vehicles.
While the benefits are clear, Polestar’s move reflects a wider shift among vehicle manufacturers towards OEM-controlled telematics ecosystems.
By embedding connected services directly into vehicles, rather than allowing third-party telematics providers or aftermarket installations, OEMs can control how data is accessed, shared, and monetised.
For fleet operators, this offers convenience and integration. But it also raises questions about data ownership, interoperability, and long-term flexibility.
Once a fleet is tied into a manufacturer’s telematics system, switching providers or integrating vehicles from other brands can become more complex, potentially locking operators into a single ecosystem.
Polestar’s announcement is part of a broader transformation in how vehicles, and the data they generate, are managed.
For fleet customers, the appeal of integrated telematics is obvious: efficiency, visibility, and cost savings.
But as the connected car era accelerates, it also reinforces a key question for the aftermarket:
Who really owns the data, and who gets to benefit from it?
The connected era is reshaping how vehicles, and data, are managed. How can the independent aftermarket stay informed, independent, and competitive? Join the discussion, we want to hear your thoughts.
