As fleets prepare for 2026, the focus is shifting from simply acquiring vehicles to building funding, capability, and operating models that can adapt to ongoing change. According to Smartfleet, flexibility — financial, operational, and organisational — will be central to fleet performance over the next 12 to 24 months.
Tania Pietsch, National Manager Client Services at Smartfleet, says many organisations are reassessing long-held assumptions about ownership, funding, and in-house fleet management as cost pressures and complexity continue to rise.
Capital management drives funding model reviews
One of the clearest trends Smartfleet is seeing is a reassessment of how fleets deploy capital.
“We’re seeing a clear trend of organisations evaluating how best to release capital and optimise funding models,” Pietsch says. “Many are shifting from a traditional CapEx approach to operating expense models.”
This shift is prompting some organisations to move away from outright ownership toward leasing or other flexible arrangements.
“This allows businesses to preserve cash for other strategic priorities while maintaining a fit-for-purpose fleet,” she says, noting that the focus is increasingly on tailored solutions rather than one-size-fits-all models.
Ownership still matters — but flexibility is increasing
While alternative models are attracting interest, Pietsch stresses that traditional approaches remain relevant.
“Traditional leasing and ownership structures are still the most cost-effective and popular options for most fleets,” she says. However, she notes growing interest in buyback and subscription models as part of a broader strategy to right-size fleets and reduce financial risk.
“The focus is on tailored agility, choosing solutions that support evolving operational needs while minimising financial risk,” Pietsch says.
More fleets seek external expertise
Smartfleet is also seeing a shift in how organisations resource fleet management internally.
“Many clients who previously managed fleets in-house using spreadsheets or non-specialised systems are now turning to fleet management providers,” Pietsch says.
This move is driven by the need for specialist expertise, improved risk management, and access to broader industry insights. For many organisations, this is taking the form of hybrid arrangements rather than fully outsourced models, allowing fleets to retain control while reducing complexity and exposure.
Data and technology now essential to decision-making
Technology adoption continues to accelerate, particularly around data visibility and safety.
“Telematics, advanced driver assistance systems, and real-time analytics have become essential tools for modern fleet management.”
Tania Pietsch, National Manager Client Services at Smartfleet
These tools are enabling proactive maintenance, emissions tracking, and compliance management, all of which contribute to cost reduction and improved safety outcomes.
“Access to rich data and intelligence is now key for decision-making,” she says, particularly as fleets balance operational performance with sustainability and risk obligations.
A pragmatic approach to emissions reduction
While electrification remains a priority, Pietsch says most organisations are taking a practical, staged approach rather than waiting for perfect solutions.
“Most organisations are prioritising electrification where practical. But for segments that are harder to decarbonise, they’re adopting a hybrid approach.”
Tania Pietsch, National Manager Client Services at Smartfleet
This includes the use of biofuels, hybrids, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, alongside route optimisation, driver training, and creative approaches to managing seasonal or peak demand.
“The focus is on incremental progress rather than waiting for a ‘perfect’ solution,” Pietsch says.
Capability and collaboration come to the fore
Beyond vehicles and technology, Pietsch highlights the growing importance of people capability.
“There’s a growing need for digital literacy, data analysis, and change management skills within fleet teams,” she says.
Successful organisations are increasingly taking a collaborative approach, involving property, sustainability, finance, and senior leadership stakeholders in fleet decisions rather than treating fleet as a standalone function.
Policy, supply and market uncertainty remain
Looking ahead, Pietsch says fleets must stay alert to policy and market shifts, particularly around novated leasing and electrification.
“Current growth in novated leasing for electric vehicles is certainly linked to the FBT exemption,” she says, adding that any policy change would be expected to influence market behaviour and pricing.
With manufacturers adjusting supply strategies, Pietsch encourages fleets to remain proactive.
“Fleets should proactively engage with suppliers to secure favourable terms and ensure vehicle availability,” she says. “Keeping an eye on OEM strategies and maintaining flexibility in procurement will help fleets navigate this evolving landscape.”
The message for Fleet Managers in 2026
For Pietsch, the advice is straightforward.
“Stay agile,” she says. “Invest in data-driven decision-making, review your fleet policies regularly, and keep strong lines of communication with your suppliers and fleet management partners.”
She adds that understanding organisational needs, securing leadership buy-in, and remaining open to new models and technologies will be critical.
“That’s what will position fleets well to adapt to ongoing changes in technology, policy, and market conditions.”
- IVECO Daily 42S: Playing last-mile delivery driver around Melbourne
I spent a day behind the wheel of the IVECO Daily 42S doing what many vans do every day — short trips, tight streets, constant stops, and plenty of hopping in and out of the cab. It’s the kind of work that exposes the strengths and weaknesses of a delivery vehicle very quickly. Melbourne’s inner - Kia EV4 Review: A New Electric Sedan Takes On the Fleet FavouriteThere was a time when every fleet yard had rows of medium sedans lined up ready for duty. Today, those spaces are mostly filled with SUVs. But the arrival of the Kia EV4 suggests the traditional sedan might still have a role to play — especially as organisations look for practical ways to reduce emissions
- The Medium SUV for Drivers Who Think VW Has Become a Bit Too SensibleThis is the car for people who think the typical medium SUV has become predictable. The CUPRA Terramar is designed to shake things up a little — still practical, still sensible enough for family duties, but with a streak of attitude that makes it feel more like a lifestyle choice than a fleet commodity. And that’s really
- Cupra Leon VZ Review: The Hot Hatch That Makes Everyday Driving Feel SpecialThe Cupra Leon VZ is one of those cars that quietly surprises you. On paper, it looks like a sensible hatchback. In the car park, it blends in just enough to keep a low profile. But spend a week behind the wheel and you quickly realise this isn’t just transport — it’s a car that brings a
- Mitsubishi ASX Aspire Review: Better Looking, Better Inside, But No Longer a Fleet BargainFor years, the Mitsubishi ASX was the safe, sensible choice sitting quietly in the value corner of the showroom. It was familiar, affordable, and easy to justify to a Fleet Manager with a spreadsheet in one hand and a depreciation forecast in the other. This new ASX Aspire is not that car anymore. Yes, it
