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.
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.
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.
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.
For many fleets, Plug-in Electric Vehicles, or PHEVs, are an appropriate entry-level strategy for reducing fleet emissions and fuel use. But only if they are used as intended.
Unfortunately, PHEV operational management that doesn’t include charging policies to encourage battery use over fuel use can lead to a laisse-faire approach from drivers. In this situation, drivers increasingly rely on the convenience of petrol or diesel as the main mode of propulsion rather than using them as a back-up for a predominantly electric mode of transport.
That situation needs to change if fleets are to gain the returns on PHEV investment that can be realised if PHEVs are used properly.
“Which all sounds great,” many readers will be thinking, “but high intentions don’t always match operational reality.”
It has to be acknowledged that ensuring PHEVs are being driven as much as possible on their batteries isn’t easy. There are policies around charging that need to be adopted to make predominantly battery driving possible and to change the habits of drivers.
It has to be stated that PHEV technology doesn’t make it easy for busy fleets to prioritise battery driving. Whereas almost all EVs can rapid-charge, most plug-in hybrid electric cars cannot. This means charge times are too long for most fleet PHEVs to charge during the working day – anything from 3.5 to 7 hours. This problem is further compounded by PHEVs having smaller batteries than an EV, so you’re taking longer to charge and getting less range for your efforts.
This explains why a survey of 648 Mitsubishi PHEV owners in NZ found that 95% charge primarily at home (overnight).
One way of effectively maintaining sufficient charge in a PHEV would entail a 1:1 charger/PHEV ratio at home base, so managers could mandate that all parked PHEVs are also plugged in. But this seems an extravagant and inefficient solution, especially when there are technologies that will communicate the real-time battery levels of fleet EVs and PHEVs to managers.
By deploying appropriate tech alongside buying in PHEVs, managers and drivers will be able to see at a glance the battery levels of vehicles and plug them in, if necessary. This simple and expedient strategy would ensure PHEVs are being topped-up during the day without impacting on operational agility. Of course, there will be occasions where a vehicle doesn’t return to base during the day and inevitably shifts over to the fossil fuel powertrain, but this would be the exception, rather that the default mode of operation.
Another option would be to support home-charging for vehicles that employees keep overnight. This could be included in your Vehicle Use Policy (VUP), alongside keeping the vehicle clean and checking lights. Some power companies even offer reduced or free charging during off-peak time periods.
If charging company vehicles at home is something you are considering, you need to be aware of an employer’s obligations. An industry leader in charging solutions that we spoke to, We.EV, uses a comprehensive checklist for home charging that ensures the integrity and safety of the system, although what’s required may put some fleets off the idea of home charging.
One of Smartrak’s clients has an employee who is so taken by PHEVs that he regularly drives for a month without ever using fossil fuel. Instead, he plans each day to include battery top-ups at the sites he visits, or to coincide with rest stops. This employee is obviously taking exceptional care to reduce fuel use, but he is an example of planning ahead rather than relying on just-in-time fossil fuel fill-ups. To make the most of PHEVs, habits need to change. Ensuring a PHEV has sufficient charge should be second nature, just like topping up your phone.
Yes, fully utilising a PHEV’s capabilities is proven to deliver significant fuel savings. Real-world data drawn from 620,000 PHEVs by the European Environment Agency showed that driving a PHEV in battery mode for 75% of the time brought fuel efficiency up to an impressive 152 mpg. Whereas spending just 25% of driving time in battery mode brought fuel efficiency down to just 51 mpg.
You also should consider why you decided to include PHEVs in the fleet in the first place. If lowering fleet emissions is one of your goals you’re going to fail with PHEVs predominantly driven in fossil fuel mode. Research indicates that PHEVs typically produce 3.5 times more emissions than previously thought, mainly because they are spending too much time driving out of battery mode.
If you want to find out more about the solutions that help you to better manage fleet PHEVs, speak to a Smartrak specialist in lowering emissions today.
Australia contact Rob Horton:
e: rob.horton@smartrak.com
ph: +61 438 958 213
New Zealand contact Karan Bhatia:
e: karan.bhatia@smartrak.com
ph: +61 21 872 741
Smartrak has taken a leadership position in helping fleets improve efficiency and reduce their emissions by making it easier to manage and fully utilise electric vehicles (EVs). One of the strategies for achieving this is through collaboration with key leaders in Australasia’s EV transition, including Aurecon Group, Griffith University and Meridian Energy. Smartrak is committed to understanding the unique requirements of these organisations, and through this understanding, developing tailored solutions that streamline EV management processes.
In this article, Smartrak sits with Aurecon Group’s Associate of Integrated Transport and Mobility, Rich Mitchell. Together, they delve into Aurecon Group’s challenges of managing an electric vehicle fleet across various locations within the country and how they can maximise the utilisation of their EVs. Read on to discover more.
Q. What motivated Aurecon Group to collaborate with Smartrak on developing their EV telematics capabilities?
A. As existing customers of Smartrak, continuing our working relationship was an easy decision for us. While the current system serves us well, the opportunity to collaborate with Smartrak on a more tailored solution that aligns with our unique operational needs was compelling.
Q. What specific advantages does Smartrak's EV Enablement solution bring to your fleet management operations?
A. Smartrak’s EV Enablement solution offers us flexibility in managing our diverse fleet. We don’t want our workforce to be limited by geofences, time of day/night boundaries etc. as our projects can take us anywhere at any time. For instance, we work on projects such as new roads that don’t exist in current maps. Therefore, working with Smartrak allows us to cater for these requirements that may not apply to other businesses. This ensures our operations remain efficient regardless of time or location.
Q. How do you envision leveraging the insights and data provided by Smartrak's EV Enablement solution to optimise fleet performance and productivity?
A. The integration of Smartrak’s new system takes out much of the manual entry of data, providing us a more accurate picture of how vehicles are used and whether we are able to reduce our fleet or change vehicle types if the data shows a more suitable vehicle would apply. For example, if planning a trip to a remote location, the booking system could suggest a PHEV or hybrid as the most fit-for-purpose vehicle as opposed to an electric vehicle. By leveraging this data, we aim to enhance operational fleet efficiency, drive cost savings and achieve productivity gains.
Alongside Aurecon Group, Smartrak remains dedicated to innovation, and collaboration in shaping the future of sustainable transportation. Smartrak’s EV Enablement solution effectively bridges the gap between conventional and electric fleets, ensuring fleet EVs work just as hard as conventional vehicles.
Whether you have already started electrifying your fleet, or are simply exploring the possibilities, Smartrak are the experts to provide support and guidance. Get in touch to learn more about how they can assist you on your journey towards sustainable fleet management.
At the end 2023, Smartrak embarked on an initiative to further develop its EV enablement fleet management solutions and emphasise their commitment to customer-driven innovation. This led to the formation of a Special Interest Group (SIG), comprising of some of Australasia’s leaders in EV transition, including Griffith University, Aurecon Group and Meridian Energy. Together with Smartrak, their objective is to collaborate on the development of industry-leading software, making the integration and management of EVs within fleets seamless.
In this exclusive conversation, Smartrak sits down with SIG Member and Acting Manager of Parking, Traffic and Logistics at Griffith University, Mitchel Howard. They discuss the ground-breaking developments they’ve already been making together in the EV enablement space and highlight the distinct advantages of Smartrak’s solutions for the future of fleet. Keep reading to find out more.
Q: As a customer who has already utilised Smartrak's Pool Booking solution, what motivated your decision to seek access to full-service EV telematics capabilities?
A: In 2024, Griffith University purchased 20 new electric vehicles for our pool vehicle fleet. As we develop our maturity journey in EV enablement, it is crucial to us to also have the tools that provide data and insights in line with our priorities. Smartrak’s EV enablement solution will help us attain data and reports on information such as: battery use, charging optimisation, emissions reporting, the savings due to increased EV use, and reporting on FBT.
Q: Could you elaborate on the specific advantages that Smartrak's EV enablement solution brings to your fleet management operations?
A: Smartrak’s EV enablement solution not only provides data and reporting that will assist Griffith University in effectively operating it’s EV Fleet, the new trip planner booking system in development is designed to encourage users to prioritise EVs while also ensuring the needs of the trip or booking are met. By redesigning the way users interface with our vehicles, Smartrak is providing a platform that comprehensively redevelops the way Griffith University approaches its pool vehicle use and can accelerate its maturity in EV enablement.
Q: How do you envision leveraging the insights and data provided by Smartrak's EV enablement solution to optimise your fleet's performance and productivity?
A: Smartrak’s trip planning experience, which is a new interface in PoolCar provides a platform for Griffith University's users to provide feedback on why they are potentially favouring internal combustion engine vehicles or are hesitant to use EVs. These insights will be critical for us as fleet managers, helping us to focus on challenge areas and make decisions in ways that provide support for our users. For example, providing more user education and training, reallocating our fleet or investing in infrastructure.
As we embrace the future of fleet management, it is clear that innovation is key to driving progress and sustainability. Smartrak’s EV enablement solutions represent a significant advance in managing EV fleets. By combining Smartrak’s EV telematics solution, Nextrak, with their integrated booking system, PoolCar, Fleet Managers can confidently navigate the transition to EVs, whilst ensuring a smooth and reliable EV experience for end users.
Take the next step towards future-proofing your fleet. Smartrak are eager to learn more about the electrification of your fleet and advise you where they can.
Smartrak is excited to announce the newest member of its EV Enablement Initiative, Meridian Energy. Meridian joins a Special Interest Group (SIG) alongside esteemed members Griffith University and Aurecon. The establishment of this SIG will see the development of industry-leading software by Smartrak, focused on facilitating the seamless integration, operation, and management of electric vehicles within fleets.
“A longstanding Smartrak customer, Meridian has achieved significant carbon emission reductions leveraging our solutions. We are thrilled to welcome Meridian to our EV Enablement Initiative where they will share their invaluable insights.”
Dr Sharlene Smith, Smartrak Business Manager - Sustainability Initiatives
Meridian is a market leader in New Zealand’s EV transition. They have achieved remarkable success in transitioning their light passenger fleet to 100% fully electric by 2021, surpassing their original target of 2030, by an impressive 9 years. Leveraging Smartrak’s cutting-edge telematics and booking solutions, Meridian has effectively reduced fleet size, minimised capital expenditure, and lowered operating costs. Furthermore, Meridian is actively contributing to the EV ecosystem by providing home and business charging solutions and operating ‘Zero’, which is a public network of chargers spanning Aotearoa New Zealand
In a series of collaborative meetings over the last few months, Smartrak’s SIG members have come together to contribute their expertise, insights, and pain points, to help shape the development of industry-leading EV enabling software. By addressing evolving priorities and challenges within the fleet management space, Smartrak’s EV Enablement Initiative is delivering an innovative suite of features that will make managing EV fleets as straightforward as any ICE fleet.
Smartrak delivers simplified EV management by providing our customers with remote battery data direct from the vehicle and enabling priority charging notifications based on upcoming bookings. Capturing data directly from the vehicle negates the need for a vehicle to be plugged into a costly smart charger to check its charging status. This capability results in significant time savings, simplified multi-site management and support for back-to-back vehicle bookings. Smartrak also offers enhanced EV and sustainability reporting, and an improved EV booking experience for end users, ensuring customers can deliver on their sustainability goals. Smartrak’s integrated booking system, PoolCar, now offers real-time visibility into EV range and emissions impact at time of booking and includes vehicle recommendations based on vehicle specific CO2 emissions and intended trip length. This collaborative approach to product development underscores Smartrak’s commitment to working closely with its customers to design industry-led solutions that empower them to successfully navigate and overcome the challenges presented by the adoption and integration of EVs within fleets.
Smartrak proudly leads the charge as the foremost provider of advanced EV fleet management and Sustainable Transportation solutions and is dedicated to facilitating EV enablement, addressing administration, and streamlining fleet management throughout Australia and New Zealand. Our expertise positions us as the preferred choice for government agencies, councils, healthcare, and utilities organisations, assisting them in their transition to Net Zero by enhancing fleet visibility, optimising utilisation, right-sizing their fleets, and effectively managing their electrified vehicles.
If you're ready to adopt EVs into your fleet, or you're struggling to get good utilisation out of the EVs you have, get in touch with our team to find out how Smartrak can help.