By RAM Tracking on 13 Nov 2025
Vehicle tracking is essential for UK fleets, as it helps businesses improve driver safety, reduce fuel costs, and complete more jobs. But when it comes to choosing a tracker, you've got two main options: hardwired or plug and play.
Both have their place in fleet management. The question is: which one suits your business?
A hardwired tracker connects directly to your vehicle's electrical system.
Think of it as a permanent installation in your vehicles. An engineer wires the device into the vehicle's power supply during a professional fitting, usually taking around 15-30 minutes per vehicle.
Reliable 24/7 tracking
Professional installation ensures proper setup
Tamper-resistant once fitted
Hardwired trackers are the go-to choice for permanent fleet tracking solutions. They're ideal for businesses with dedicated company vehicles that need continuous monitoring.
Battery-top trackers are standalone devices that you can attach to any vehicle without wiring.
Many battery toppers use magnetic mounts or clips, making them genuinely portable. This means you can move them between vehicles, attach them to equipment, or use them for temporary tracking needs.
No installation required, just attach and go
Portable between vehicles
Lower upfront costs
These trackers suit situations where permanent installation isn't practical or necessary. Hire fleets, seasonal vehicles, or equipment tracking are perfect examples.
The trade-off? They track based on vehicle movement rather than true ignition, so you won't see accurate idling time. But for flexibility, they're unbeatable.
Hardwired installation requires professional fitting that takes around 15-30 minutes per vehicle. It's a permanent placement with a higher initial setup cost, but it's a one-time process. Once it's in, you're done.
Battery-top tracker installation is completely different. You can self-fit in under 2 minutes with no tools required. They can be repositioned whenever needed and come with a lower initial cost.
For businesses with large fleets, hardwired trackers involve more planning and installation time, whereas battery-top trackers can be rolled out instantly with minimal disruption.
If you’re managing 20+ vehicles, the ability to fit, swap, and scale battery-top trackers without calling in installers could save you significant time and ongoing expense, making them the more flexible and future-ready option for growing fleets.
Hardwired trackers provide unbeatable reliability with zero maintenance once installed. They’re the ideal choice for businesses running dedicated vehicles long-term. With professional installation, 24/7 continuous tracking, and seamless integration with your fleet management tools, you get complete oversight and accuracy.
While the higher upfront cost covers a permanent setup and uninterrupted data, hardwired trackers are best suited to vehicles that stay in the fleet for years.
Battery-top trackers, on the other hand, offer flexibility and can be installed instantly. They’re perfect for mixed fleets, leased or temporary vehicles, and businesses that want to get started quickly without installation delays. With lower upfront costs and a simple two-minute setup, you can start tracking straight away and move units between vehicles whenever needed.
You’ll get movement-based tracking rather than ignition data, but for many fleets, the speed, simplicity, and versatility of battery-top trackers far outweigh that small trade-off.
In reality, many businesses use both: hardwired trackers for long-term vehicles and battery-top units for everything else. This helps you achieve the best balance of reliability and flexibility.
Whether you choose hardwired reliability or battery flexibility, the right tracker transforms how you run your business.
With RAM Tracking, you won’t have to guess what your fleet needs. Our specialists will assess your operation and recommend the right solution.
Ready to protect your fleet? Contact us for a no-obligation quote today.
Richard Blown is Chief Technology Officer at RAM Tracking, where he leads product innovation and technical strategy.
With over 25 years of experience in fleet telematics and connected vehicle technology, Richard has pioneered solutions that bridge the gap between theoretical safety improvements and practical business benefits.
His hands-on approach to product development ensures RAM's solutions solve real-world problems faced by fleet operators across the UK.
Technically, yes, you can move hardwired trackers, but it requires professional removal and reinstallation. It's not designed for frequent moves, so if you need portability, battery trackers make more sense.
For small fleets with permanent vehicles, hardwired trackers provide strong long-term value. Once installed, they run seamlessly with no maintenance and integrate easily with other fleet management tools.
However, for many small or growing fleets, battery-top trackers are the smarter starting point. They’re quick to install, easy to move between vehicles, and ideal for businesses testing tracking before committing to a full rollout.
Battery trackers use the same GPS and mobile networks as hardwired devices, so coverage depends on signal strength, not tracker type. Both work reliably across UK coverage areas.
Modern trackers use minimal power, typically less than a phone charger. They won't drain your vehicle battery under normal conditions. Professional installation includes proper connection to prevent any issues.
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