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Choosing the right fleet management software supplier is one of the most critical decisions for organisations looking to optimise operations, reduce costs, and increase visibility across their vehicle fleet. With so many options on the market, it’s important to know what sets a great provider apart from the rest.

Whether you’re managing a fleet in government, healthcare, utilities company, or an education provider here are five key things to consider.

1. Proven expertise in your region

Fleet requirements differ across countries, industries, and even regions. That’s why it’s vital to choose a supplier with deep experience operating in your local landscape.

Look for a provider with:

Explore our case studies to see how we've helped fleets across Australia and New Zealand improve utilisation, compliance standards, and their sustainability outcomes.

2. A consolidated solution ecosystem

Avoid juggling multiple platforms and providers. The best fleet management software providers offer an integrated solution ecosystem that brings everything together — from telematics and vehicle booking to key management and EV charging management.

This not only improves efficiency, it reduces risk by removing unreliable third-party integrations.

Ask yourself... Can this platform handle your entire fleet operations, or will you need to plug into other tools for visibility?

3. A customer-centric approach

It goes without saying that no two fleets are the same, so avoid any one-size-fits-all solutions.

Choose a supplier that offers:

Hear what our customers have to say about Smartrak's tailored approach to solutions:

"Smartrak’s willingness to meet our requirements and the effectiveness of the system and its Key Cabinets is more than we could have hoped for."

Bob Morris, Transport and Fleet Manager, St Vincents Health

4. Future-proof product innovation

As your organisation evolves - whether that be scaling operations, or embracing EVs - your software should evolve too.

Look for a provider who:

Fleet technology is moving fast. You don't want to get stuck with a static solution.

Pro tip: Ask your supplier about upcoming product releases, and how they gather customer feedback to inform future development.

5. Strong security and compliance

In today’s world, data security is non-negotiable. You need a supplier that takes your fleet’s sensitive data seriously.

Key things to look out for:

Be sure you choose a provider that takes your data seriously, giving you and you and your staff peace of mind.

Choose the best fleet management software provider for your organisation

Choosing a fleet management software supplier isn't just about features - it's about finding a long-term partner that understands your goals, and leads the way in a rapidly evolving industry.

Smartrak has been a trusted fleet management software provider for over 20 years, serving hundreds of organisations across Australia and New Zealand. We're one of the few suppliers offering a complete ecosystem of fleet solutions - all underpinned by a flexible, customer-first approach.

Not sure how your current or potential supplier stacks up?

Use our 28-point checklist to assess their capabilities across integration, compliance, and support. It has been designed to make the selection process easier for your procurement and fleet teams.

fleet management software supplier checklist

When companies consider fleet management software, and telematics, employee's privacy concerns are almost inevitable.

The idea of tracking drivers and their behaviour can stir up fears of a ‘Big Brother’ work environment, especially when personal movements or behaviour data might be recorded. To prevent such concerns from derailing your fleet management goals, it’s essential to address them proactively and transparently.

Why employee buy-in is essential for fleet telematics success

Taking the time to develop policies that respect employees' privacy and support the software’s intended use is crucial. A well-defined fleet telematics privacy policy can ease concerns while ensuring compliance with data protection laws.

Below are guiding principles, strategies for communication, and practical policies that can help you address employee concerns effectively.

1. Establish guiding principles for privacy

For successful integration of fleet management software, your organisation should develop privacy guidelines based on legitimacy, transparency, and early stakeholder engagement.

By following these principles, your organisation demonstrates a commitment to respecting and managing privacy concerns effectively.

2. Communicate the software's purpose

Clearly explaining why the software is being implemented can shift employee perceptions. Highlight its benefits for both the company and employees:

Here's an example of how you could present this information in a Telematics Privacy Policy document

3. Address privacy and personal use concerns

Employees often worry about being tracked outside of work hours, especially if they use company vehicles for personal reasons.

4. Develop a privacy policy and procedures document

A clear privacy policy builds trust and ensures transparency. This document should outline:

Download Our Free Fleet Telematics Privacy Policy Template!

Ensure compliance and employee trust with our ready-to-use privacy policy template. Download it here.

5. Emphasise driver benefits

Helping employees understand how they benefit from the system makes adoption easier. Fleet telematics can:

6. Provide training and follow-through

Educate employees on how the software works and the privacy measures in place. During training, reiterate the company’s commitment to respecting privacy boundaries. Address any remaining concerns and ensure ongoing compliance with privacy policies. Consistency builds trust and credibility over time.

FAQ: Fleet telematics and privacy

  1. Can fleet tracking software monitor employees after work hours?
    This depends on your policy, but if you opt not to track outside work hours, telematics will be disabled, meaning no crash detection or incident alerts after those hours.
  2. How can we ensure compliance with data protection laws?
    By implementing a clear fleet telematics privacy policy and limiting access to data, companies can comply with legal standards.

Conclusion

Implementing fleet management software with telematics isn’t just a technical decision—it reflects company values. By addressing employee privacy concerns transparently and proactively, your organisation demonstrates its commitment to fairness and compliance. Employees will appreciate this approach, leading to smoother implementation and a more trusting workplace culture.

With thoughtful planning and open communication, you can balance employee privacy with fleet management goals.

Start building your own Telematics Privacy Policy template with our ready-made framework. Download here.

Australian businesses have been benefitting from the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT exemptions on Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), helping reduce their carbon footprint while making significant savings on tax.

But from April 1, 2025, PHEVs will no longer qualify for the exemption.

This change will significantly impact fleets with PHEVs. Here's what you need to know about EV FBT and the implications for your fleet.

What Happens to Existing PHEV Leases?

If you already have a PHEV lease, here's what to expect:

However, new PHEV leases after this date won't be eligible for EV FBT exemptions.

Key Considerations for Fleet Managers

1. Review existing fleet agreements and leasing options

If employees salary package PHEVs, businesses must review agreements with salary packaging providers to ensure:

2. Consider fully electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

With Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCEVs) still FBT-exempt, now is a great time to assess whether transitioning to zero-emission vehicles is a better long-term strategy for EV FBT savings.

Could BEVs offer a better long-term savings? A TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) analysis, which should now include FBT, can help answer this.

3. Explore other EV incentives and rebates

Although PHEV FBT exemptions are ending, businesses should explore other available government incentives for electric vehicles. Stay updated on:

4. Optimise charging and utilisation of PHEV vehicles

One of the biggest risks with PHEVs is drivers relying too much on petrol instead of electric charging, leading to higher fuel costs.

How to prevent this:

Want more insights on how to manage PHEVs effectively? Watch our recorded webinar on this topic.

5. Automate FBT reporting for compliance and savings

FBT reporting can be time-consuming - but automation can reduce tax liability and improve accuracy.

Smartrak helps fleets automate ATO-compliant FBT reporting using telematics, or pool booking data. Our customers have saved thousands in tax while significantly reducing admin time.

The end of FBT exemptions for PHEVs isn’t a reason to panic—but it is a reason to act now.

By reassessing fleet strategies, optimising vehicle utilisation, and exploring alternative tax-saving opportunities, you can navigate this transition with minimal disruption.

Need expert guidance? Smartrak is here to help you future-proof your fleet and maximise your EV FBT savings. Get in touch today.

Electric vehicles are quickly becoming a crucial part of fleet management as organisations and governments place a stronger emphasis on emissions reductions. However, ensuring that your EVs are always charged and ready to go can be a challenge.

This is where Priority Charging comes in. A new feature of Smartrak's EV Enablement solution, Priority Charging minimises disruptions due to insufficient charging, and maximises productivity by ensuring vehicles are charged based on their upcoming needs.

How does Priority Charging work?

Priority Charging integrates real-time battery data from Smartrak's telematics device, Nextrak, with its vehicle booking platform, PoolCar, to identify which vehicles are scheduled for upcoming use and determine its charging needs. By prioritising the charging of those vehicles, Priority Charging ensures that the EV you need next, is sufficiently charged and ready for its scheduled trip.

This real-time battery data is accessible from anywhere, even when the vehicle isn't plugged into a charger. Smartrak's Nextrak device captures live data directly from the vehicle's CANbus, giving you full visibility of your EVs battery and range status whether they're in the carpark or on the road.

This feature also sends proactive alerts to Fleet Managers when a vehicle won't have sufficient charge for an upcoming trip, allowing time to either charge the vehicle or reassign to a vehicle that's ready. If a reallocation is necessary, the Driver will be promptly notified, keeping operations running smoothly and a seamless experience for your end-users.

How will this benefit me?

Priority Charging addresses a critical challenge for Fleet Managers - ensuring vehicles are ready to go when needed and reducing overall fleet downtime. Here's how it adds value to your fleet operations:

  1. Monitor live, remote battery data - no need to be plugged into a charger!
    • Get live battery data and alerts, equipping fleet managers with the tools to monitor charge status and plan efficiently. No more guesswork—just actionable insights at your fingertips.
  2. Optimise charging infrastructure and minimise spending
    • By alerting Fleet Managers of charging needs, Priority Charging maximises your existing charging infrastructure, allowing more vehicles to be charged with fewer stations and reducing the need for costly upgrades.
  3. Reduce EV downtime
    • By prioritising vehicles that need charging for upcoming trips, Priority Charging ensures operations keep running smoothly by addressing potential issues before they affect your fleet.
  4. Streamline operations of your mixed fleet
    • Whether managing just EVs or a mix of traditional vehicle, Priority Charging simplifies operations by giving full visibility of entire fleet into one integrated platform. This visibility reduces manual oversight and makes your operations more efficient.

Incorporating Priority Charging into your fleet management system gives you the confidence to transition to scale your electric fleet operations, while optimising performance, reducing costs, and providing a seamless experience for both managers and drivers.

As your EV fleet grows, Smartrak’s Priority Charging becomes increasingly critical. This feature is part of Smartrak’s EV Enablement solution, a comprehensive suite of management tools designed to support every aspect of electric fleet operations.

From live battery data, and trip planning, to emissions reporting, charging insights, and fleet utilisation, this solution suite provides everything you need to optimise your EV fleet in one integrated platform.

Learn more about Priority Charging and how Smartrak’s EV Enablement solution can elevate your fleet operations here.

In 2022, Labour won the Australian federal election and in 2023 a National-led coalition took power in New Zealand. Inevitably, with new governments on both sides of the Tasman we’ve seen changes in the ways the different legislations are approaching vehicle emissions reductions.

Impact of New Zealand's Coalition Government on Emissions Policies

New Zealand's coalition government abandoned the Clean Car Discount. This program rewarded purchasers of EVs and penalized buyers of high-emitting vehicles. The removal of the Clean Car Discount has led to significant concerns about the future of emissions reductions in New Zealand.

Australia's New Incentives for a Cleaner Fleet

In contrast, Australia introduced several new measures to accelerate the transition to a cleaner fleet. Key among these is the exemption from Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) for EVs and PHEVs below the luxury car threshold*. Additionally, Australia has removed GST on EVs and PHEVs, targeting Novated Leases where employers pay for car leases and running costs out of an employee's salary package. With over 1,000,000 novated leases in Australia growing at about 4% annually, these incentives could significantly increase the number of EVs on the road.

Diverging Policy Directions

Government messaging around emissions reduction and climate change in general has definitely pivoted in both countries, with New Zealand’s government prioritising the economy over emissions and Australia’s providing stronger leadership on emissions reduction. However, despite these divergent paths there is one area where Australia’s approach is resonating with Kiwi legislators: The Clean Car Standard.

The Clean Car Standard: A Shared Approach

As discussed in a previous blog, The Clean Car Standard aims to encourage a greater supply of low and no emissions vehicle imports into NZ and Australia by charging importers for vehicles with high CO2 emissions and giving credits for vehicles with low CO2 emissions.

New Zealand jumped into this ahead of Australia but as the legislation began to bite increasing concerns were raised by the automotive industry. Industry feedback stated that New Zealand’s standards were too stringent and increasingly difficult for importers to meet as they were out of step with the manufacturing standards of leading vehicle manufacturers. NZ’s new Government agreed and consequently Transport Minister, Simeon Brown has said that the standards will change to match Australia’s because, in the government’s analysis, the two countries were effectively one car market.

Mixed Reactions to Policy Shifts

Not everyone is happy about these changes. Drive Electric, NZ’s clean car lobby group, argues that if New Zealand aligns its standards with Australia's, it should also adopt Australia's 'comprehensive' incentives to buy EVs. Drive Electric pointed to research that showed tailpipe carbon pollution from new cars entering New Zealand had risen since the government scrapped subsidies for buying EVs, saying: "The fleet is already getting dirtier and now we're weakening emissions standards."

Expanding New Zealand's EV Charging Network

For EV buyers in New Zealand, the government’s flagship policy centres on an expansion of the public EV charging network from the current 1,400 chargers to 10,000 by 2030. Although critics of the scheme question whether that number will be delivered. During the election, the National Party pledged $257 million over four years to meet that goal, but so far, only $95 million has been allocated over the same period.

Future of EV Sales and Charging Infrastructure

The question remains: Will New Zealand's shrinking EV sales justify the investment in charging infrastructure? This year, EVs account for just 8.5% of new passenger vehicle sales, a sharp drop from 27.2% last year. If this downward trend continues, it wouldn't be surprising to see the government re-evaluating its priorities.

As these policies continue to unfold, it's clear that while Australia and New Zealand are moving in different directinos on emissions, both are navigating a complex landscape. For Fleet Managers, and EV advocates, the coming years will reveal whether these strategies succeed in building a cleaner future - or whether new challenges will emerge. A deeper dive into the various State and Territory incentives for EVs will be covered in the near future.

*It’s not as straightforward as New Zealand’s now defunct Clean Car Discount, but removing GST on EVs and PHEVs should be a generous carrot. The incentive is targeting Novated Leases, where the employer pays for a car’s lease and running costs out of an employee’s salary package through a combination pre-tax and post-tax salary deductions. There are over 1,000,000 novated leases running in Australia at any one time with a growth rate of around 4% a year which could add up to more EVs on the road than otherwise. The government has also changed the luxury car threshold to favour EVs, further sweetening the deal.

There has always been a well-founded assumption that there are TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) savings to be gained with Electric Vehicles (EVs), compared to ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles. However, the lingering question remains: do these savings outweigh the initial purchase cost of an EV, which is generally higher than that of an equivalent ICE vehicle?

Examining real-world data on EV Total Cost of Ownership

Now, with the significant expansion of the global EV fleet and at least 3 years of real-world milage to draw data from, it's informative to dive into the research.

In 2021, the Nickel Institute conducted an extensive study on EVs from various manufacturers, including GM, Tesla, BMW, VW, Peugeot, Honda, Nissan, Kia, Toyota, Hyundai, and JAC. This research covered regions such as the USA (California, New York, and Florida), Europe (France, Germany, and the UK), and Asia (China, Japan, and South Korea).

Despite regional differences in purchase prices due to subsidies, taxes and incentives, the research showed that:


"Overwhelmingly the TCO is favourable for small and mid-sized electric vehicles throughout the world . . . it is clear that for most potential buyers throughout the world the economics of ownership favours that of EVs over ICE vehicles.”

Interestingly, the research didn’t paint as rosy a picture for luxury EV buyers where depreciation and the resulting residual value didn’t hold up compared to the ICE equivalent.

Depreciation and maintenance costs of EVs

Depreciation due to the higher purchase price of EVs was highlighted as a disadvantage in research by Vincentric. However, their findings showed that 25 of the 27 EVs evaluated had lower maintenance costs than their ICE alternatives.

An Automotive Fleet article from February 2023, highlighted an important concern:

"EVs contain a significantly higher number of electronic control modules that have wiring, sensors, and connectors. How will these components fare in the real world of ice, mud, and salt on the road?"

For example, tyre costs for EVs are likely to be more than double those for ICE vehicles due to increased torque. Some fleets are replacing tires every 10,000 miles compared to 40,000 to 50,000 miles on an ICE vehicle.

And what about specialised tooling for fleets that run their own repair shops? That’s a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) line item that will be relevant to only a few fleets, but still something to be considered.

Insights from long-term EV use

A company renting out Teslas since 2018 reported that their EVs, now pushing 112,000 to 144,000 kms, haven’t experienced typical heavy-use issues common with ICE vehicles. However, tyre costs are 50% higher. This highlights the importance of maintaining tyre pressures for operational savings, whether you're driving EVs or ICE vehicles.

Another cost to be considered is downtime; with preventative maintenance checks for an EV fewer and subject to longer intervals between checks your EV is going to deliver more operational time.

Some people will fret about the potential cost of replacing EV batteries, which are the most expensive component in the vehicle. Relax, the average fail rate 1.5% in the first five years and 2.5% in the first ten years.

In our research we didn’t find anyone including installation of charging infrastructure in their calculations, but that is obviously an additional cost you will have to consider. Smartak has some good info on this here.

In closing, consider a US finding that estimates an EV’s yearly maintenance costs at almost 40% less than the equivalent ICE vehicle. That’s a fairly compelling argument, even with impending RUC costs.

NSW Government have developed a great resource where you can determine the total cost of ownership for any of your vehicles with its own calculator. For more detailed insights and assistance with your EV fleet, explore our resources and connect with one of our experts today.

Electricity supply companies are facing enormous costs in infrastructure upgrades (bigger transformers, more cables, new substations) to meet the growing power demand of EVs. This is not so much a problem with domestic EVs as they are predominantly charged overnight at home, to take advantage of cheaper off-peak rates. Whereas the expectation for many business EV drivers is that they can plug in when they get to work in the morning. Which is a period that’s typically already witnessing peak demand as people plug in laptops, turn on computers and fire up the air conditioning.

The challenge of peak period charging

Exacerbating this situation is the common tendency to strive for a completely full battery. Which in many cases is simply a confidence measure that doesn’t recognise the reality of actual driving distances.

The twin pressures of charging EVs at peak periods and installing power-hungry super-fast chargers to power up as quickly as possible can exceed the power supply to a work site necessitating upgrades in the network supply to the site and the electricity infrastructure within the site.

Smart charging for business fleets

The answer is to deploy smart charging infrastructure which takes the pressure off the electricity network and reduces the requirement for expensive upgrades to on-site infrastructure. The results of this approach are substancial. For instance, a charging infrastructure provider we spoke to gave the example of a customer wanting to add 50 chargers to their existing capacity of 13 chargers. Analysis showed that only six additional chargers could be added before requiring significant infrastructure upgrades. However, with a smart charger solution, the site could accommodate an additional 60 chargers without extensive upgrades.

This was an outstanding outcome, but how was it achieved?

EV Charging Infrastructure Webinar - Hosted by Smartrak with experts from Jump Charging, We.EV and Open Loop.

Smart charging and power modulation

A smart charger on its own will provide valuable insights into how a charger is being used, but linking this data to fleet utilisation information transforms it into a comprehensive smart charging solution. This solution monitors EV charger power draw and matches it against power supply, modulating power to ensure all EVs receive sufficient power without compromising the supply.

How smart charging works

Smart charging solutions utilise telematics and historical usage data to automatically adjust power delivery. Factors considered include:

Does 'power modulation' compromise charging?

No, the solution is designed to reflect the specific requirements of the fleet. If you require a quick charge in the morning for some vehicles, and have longer charging timeframes for others, say two hours, this will be accommodated within the solution design.

Designing the right solution also comes down to selecting the right chargers. For example, in the scenario described above, any vehicles with a 2-hour window for charging could use cheaper AC chargers which would provide 40km of range per hour, instead of expensive DC super-fast chargers. It’s also worth noting that installing DC super-fast chargers doesn’t always guarantee a rapid fill-up to 100% battery.

Something called the ‘charge curve’ comes into play, where a vehicle hungrily accepts the full power load coming through from the charger and then slows down as its battery starts to heat up. Ever wondered why the last 20% of a battery takes the longest to fill?

Making an appropriate investment

When planning your EV charging infrastructure, focus on making an appropriate investment. Lining up a row of DC super-fast chargers may not be necessary. You should factor in your EV adoption goals. If the two or three EVs you’re bringing on board this year are just the start of a larger deployment, include that thinking in any infrastructure work. Laying cables can be the most expensive part of your EV charging solution; better to put in extra and close them off till needed.

Smartrak has developed a comprehensive solution aimed to address charging infrastructure challenges and avoid overspending on costly smart chargers. This EV enablement solution leverages live battery data out of your EVs to prompt actionable recommendations for efficient charging management. This solution helps you optimise vehicle usage by making each of your EVs battery, range, and charge status visible at all times, indicating the time it takes for your EV to reach 100% charge, and alerting you when a vehicle won't be sufficiently charged for an upcoming booking, enabling prompt reallocation. With these kinds of insights, you can ensure your fleet operates smoothly, minimises downtime and maximises efficiency.

Talk to the experts

Consulting with charging solution providers can bring valuable analysis to your charging requirements, helping you make informed decisions and avoid costly rethinks.

These insights have been drawn from a webinar Smartrak hosted with three of New Zealand's personal and business charging infrastructure experts; We.EV, Jump Charging and Open Loop.

Watch the full conversation On Demand here.

NZ’s Clean Car Discount (CCD) ended in December this year, leaving sister legislation, the Clean Car Standard (CCS) to carry on with the task of reducing the country’s vehicle emissions. The CCS sets emissions standards for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with vehicle importers either gaining credits for vehicles that meet or exceed the CCS standards and fines for vehicles that fall below them.

Australia hasn’t had a CCD in place and there don’t appear to be any plans to do so, but a CCS is almost certainly on the way. The detail of any CCS is still to be decided, but it is anticipated that Australia’s version will use a similar structure to New Zealand’s standards, and that’s where alarm bells are ringing.

New Zealand’s CCS is designed to raise the bar for emissions reduction each year by setting progressively higher expectations for importers. However, the NZ Government and leading figures within the auto industry have concerns about the pace of that change. On its current trajectory, NZ’s CCS standards will exceed some European and Japanese standards. This means higher standards for New Zealand importers than the markets they source cars from. As the New Zealand Automobile Association policy chief, Simon Douglas, put it:

“The industry does not oppose the clean-car standard, because we very quickly realised that if we didn’t have one in place, we would become a bit of a dumping ground for all the manufacturers of dirty cars. Where we ended up, however, was that the rate of introduction and the charges that were levied were impossible to meet.”

The feeling that unrealistic expectations are being set is also reflected in a review of Clean Car Standards in the United States, where President Joe Biden is expected to announce revised fuel standards after objections from carmakers and unions.

It’s against this backdrop that the Australian Government considers the imposition of CCS, which will be a cornerstone of efforts to cut emissions from new vehicles by 61% over five years. Energy Minister, Chris Bowen, has said: “careful collaboration with industry” will govern CCS formulation, but that hasn’t silenced concerns being raised by the Australian Automobile Association, the Motor Trades Association, and the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

Will the Clean Car Standard be a hit in the pocket for Aussie fleets?

The Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton has suggested the cost of a large SUV could rise by $25,000 under Labour’s plan. That’s a big number for fleets to consider, and there aren’t any learnings to be gained from the NZ experience because the now defunct CCD would have muddied the water.

A positive spin on adopting the CCS would highlight the increased attractiveness of the Australian market to clean car manufacturers, hopefully expanding the range of vehicles available and generating some healthy competition among importers. Although the perception that it’s just another business cost will be hard to dispel.

Forewarned is forearmed

On the face of it, Australia’s delayed adoption of CCS is a bonus. Legislators and industry leaders will be benefitting from witnessing the NZ experience and the real-world outcomes of any new legislation. The healthy commentary currently circulating about the pros and cons of the CCS should enable a durable system that positions the Australian market for successful emissions reduction alongside avoiding the pitfalls of becoming a dumping ground for unwanted polluting vehicles.

Further reading - Toyota to the rescue!

It’s a side-bar topic to the main focus of this article, but it’s worth considering the issues being raised in NZ about CCS structure, particularly where importers of ICE vehicles are expected to demonstrate ongoing emissions reductions. Under current categorisation, Suzuki, which has no EVs or PHEV’s but specialises in small, very efficient ICE vehicles is unfairly penalised. Suzuki has already made significant gains in fuel efficiencies, to the benefit of the environment, and hasn’t got the leeway to make further big improvements. On the other hand, larger ICE vehicles that produce more emissions do have room to improve.

In these circumstances, it’s suggested by some in the industry that a vehicle’s current emissions should be considered on an individual basis, rather than applying a blanket expectation of emissions reductions across all ICE vehicles.

Toyota NZ CEO, Neeraj Lala, is one of the people voicing his concern about the fairness of the system, suggesting that Toyota would be willing to help Suzuki by using the ample credits it’s managed to accumulate under the scheme (NZ$28m). Lala said:

"When you’ve got a brand like Suzuki that is operating at the right end of the emissions profile, having a cookie-cutter approach that everybody’s got to reduce by 40 per cent is unsustainable . . . Toyota having $28m in credits and having another company potentially having to close its doors is not a good outcome – It’s about how you keep the whole ecosystem healthy.”

Sage words, indeed, from Lala.