Telematics system, methods and apparatus for two-way data communication between vehicles in a fleet and a fleet management system

A system for controlling the operational mode of vehicles in a vehicle fleet, comprising:

• a telematics control unit adapted to be installed in a vehicle in a vehicle fleet, wherein said telematics control unit comprises a processor to execute computer readable code embedded on a tangible, non-transitory computer readable storage medium, a connection to an OBD II port of said vehicle, a connection to a vehicle access device, and a cellular modem enabling transmission of vehicle data and receipt of programming;
• wherein said telematics control unit is programmed for proper operation for the make and model of the vehicle in which it is installed;
• further wherein said telematics control unit is programmed with at least one of a plurality of available vehicle operational modes;
• a fleet management system including a processor for transmitting data to and receiving data from said telematics control unit;
• an application module associated with the fleet management system, enabling the remote selection of a desired vehicle operational mode for said telematics control unit, and when the desired vehicle operational mode is different from a current vehicle operational mode with which the telematics control unit is programmed, transmitting new programming associated with the desired vehicle operational mode to the telematics control unit, such that, after transmission of the new programming, the telematics control unit and vehicle may be operated in accordance with the desired vehicle operational mode without removal of the telematics control unit from the vehicle.