Petrol cars have spark plugs which release an electrical charge to ignite the fuel housed in the combustion chamber. Diesel engines do not use spark plugs; instead, ignition is a process of compressing the mixture of air and fuel to produce the spark without any electrical aid. Ultimately this is the reason why diesel engines are more fuel-efficient as the combustion process does not require assistance.

This ignition data is used to work out the ignition timing to run an engine efficiently and be used to work out if a car is switched on or off. Telematics data can be used to inform fleet managers, insurers and other services to determine the status of the vehicle (if it is switched on or off).

Vehicles may be accidentally left on, and drivers can be informed they have left a vehicle running or on the accessory setting of an ignition which may end up losing charge for the battery. Preventing mistakes such as a dead battery for a vehicle is important in fleets, as it saves costs. Each time a vehicle is being repaired or out of action, it costs the company money. Ignition data can also be used to work out if unnecessary fuel is being wasted with the ignition being on whilst the vehicle is stationary.