In an increasingly complex operating environment, fleet operators across industries – from road transport to construction and mining – are seeking ways to increase efficiency and reduce costs. In today’s digital world, connected assets are a powerful first step towards lowering total cost of ownership.
With that in mind, ESI, in partnership with its strategic technology partner, Khulu Digital, have unveiled the PowerTech telematics system which is providing Powerstar truck owners with an opportunity to make data-driven decisions. The system offers advanced fleet oversight by collecting and transmitting data from vehicles, allowing managers to track assets, monitor driver behaviour and analyse vehicle performance in real-time, amongst other important parameters.
Grand launch
The system was officially launched on August 22, 2025, at a grand event that also celebrated the 10 -000th Powerstar truck to roll off ESI’s Pietermaritzburg assembly plant. Alan Parry, GM at ESI, notes that the launch of PowerTech ushers in the age of ‘smart’ Powerstar trucks. The strategy centres on connecting Powerstar trucks to create a digital ecosystem that gathers vast amounts of data, aiming to improve customer productivity, efficiency and safety.
“In partnership with Khulu Digital, a leader in digital transformation and smart tracking solutions, we are proud to announce that every new Powerstar will now come equipped with PowerTech, an advanced telemetry system, seamlessly integrated to deliver unmatched value and peace of mind for the customer,” explains Parry.
“For us, PowerTech is not just telematics; it is a promise of real-time connectivity, fleet information at customers’ fingertips, advanced security and operational excellence,” says Parry, adding that the technology, which was previously reserved for a select few on competitor offerings, is now standard for every Powerstar owner.
According to Parry, the PowerTech journey has been driven by a clear understanding of the challenges faced by fleet owners across industries – demanding terrains and an increasing need for safety and efficiency. By bringing digital innovation directly to its vehicles, ESI is powering fleet operators and business owners to navigate these challenges with confidence and agility.
Innovation in action
Neil Weideman, Tech Lead at Khulu Digital, says PowerTech is a locally-made telematics and safety system developed to meet unique operating conditions of African fleets. All hardware is manufactured in South Africa under automotive-grade standards. The commitment to local production, stresses Weideman, not only reduces lead times, but also strengthens the African supply chain, creating jobs and ensuring solutions are “designed for Africa, in Africa”.
“With this launch, ESI has reaffirmed its commitment to helping fleet owners reduce costs, improve uptime and maximise safety. By aligning its suppliers, dealer network and technology partners, ESI is delivering a system that evolves with customer needs and positions the brand as a trusted partner in sustainable fleet management,” says Weideman.
PowerTech provides customers with real-time insight into vehicle performance, driver behaviour and safety; critical service scheduling to reduce downtime and keep fleets on the road; integrated cost management, covering fuel, tyres, servicing and repairs; and future-proof technology that supports both Euro 2 vehicles and the most sophisticated Euro 6 engines on the same platform.
Key parameters
PowerTech, explains Weideman, monitors various parameters of critical importance to the African fleet owner. Chief among them is fuel – the single largest operating cost for most transport, mining and construction businesses in South Africa. Yet, it is also the most vulnerable asset, regularly targeted through siphoning and skimming, translating into millions of rands in annual losses. With its fuel theft monitoring capabilities, PowerTech allows fleet owners to take back control by detecting siphoning in real time with sudden drop alerts.
Another critical parameter in today’s operating environment is safety. “Unlike one-size-fits-all imports, the Powertech system has been designed with strict safeguards. Engine power is never cut in unsafe conditions such as coasting, ensuring brakes and steering remain operational. This guarantees both driver and vehicle safety in all scenarios,” explains Weideman.
In light of growing concerns about road safety and the surge in traffic accidents, PowerTech elevates road safety by harnessing real-time data and automated control mechanisms to enforce speed limits, thereby minimising incidents of speeding-related accidents. Fleet managers can set up dynamic limiting in designated geo zones to limit speed in certain areas.
In addition, the system allows for monitoring of driver behaviour and performance, highlighting irregularities such as speeding and excessive idling. The real-time alerts and reports on driver behaviour allow managers and supervisors to identify areas for coaching based on the specific limitations or transgressions reported by the system.
More capabilities
In an environment where truck theft is prevalent, PowerTech adds another layer of asset security to Powerstar trucks. The truck can be placed in limp mode, operating at a maximum of 12 km/hour, in case of theft or unauthorised driving.
To ensure asset longevity, the system monitors all critical engine health sensors. By continuously collecting real-time data on engine performance and condition, such as temperature and diagnostic codes, PowerTech alerts fleet managers to potential issues before they become major problems, allowing for timely and efficient interventions. This proactive approach extends vehicle lifespan, lowers repair costs and improves overall operational efficiency for fleets.
With service scheduling, PowerTech allows for proactive service scheduling of services by collecting real-time data on vehicle health and usage, which enables managers to schedule maintenance based on actual conditions such as engine hours, mileage and sensor readings. This predictive maintenance approach helps prevent costly breakdowns, extends vehicle lifespan and reduces downtime by identifying potential issues before they escalate into major problems.
In conclusion, Chris Watkins, Head of procurement at ESI, says the launch of PowerTech – a telemetry solution engineered to meet the evolving demands of industries across Africa – highlights ESI’s commitment to innovation and customer-focused solutions.
“From performance benchmarking to proactive maintenance, and everything in between, PowerTech helps fleet operators stay one step ahead – locally and across borders. The system delivers better fleet visibility, lower operational downtime, improved cost management, stronger safety standards, easier compliance, increased accountability, streamlined oversight, remote access, actionable insights and room to scale as customer businesses grow,” concludes Watkins.
