Imran Okumuş, the President of the Petroleum Employers Union (PÜİS), stated that the recent allegations regarding the National Vehicle Identification System (UTTS) do not reflect the truth, emphasizing that it is not a cost debate but actually a struggle for profit.

Highlighting the actual cost of the system, which only covers commercial vehicles, as 1413 TL, Okumuş mentioned that this amount includes all expense items.

Okumuş also emphasized that all components used in the system are produced in Turkey and the software is entirely developed by Turkish engineers.

Stressing that UTTS, which will bring about digital transformation in the fuel sector, was put into operation to prevent illegal fuel sales, reduce tax losses, and create a more transparent audit mechanism, Okumuş reported that approximately 8 million out of the total 29 million vehicles in Turkey have been included in the system. He noted that UTTS assembly has been completed in more than 4 million of these vehicles, and the system has been activated in 11,300 out of 12,600 fuel stations. Okumuş also mentioned that the remaining installations are planned to be completed within the next 6 weeks.

Okumuş also mentioned that PÜİS has established a special fund to cover the transition costs to UTTS for small fuel stations in Anatolia with low daily sales volume, indicating that this process will create a more equitable competitive environment for the entire sector.

Okumuş pointed out that the source of criticism towards UTTS is the new regulations that came into effect as of January 1, 2025. He stated that from this date onwards, bulk fuel sales to places such as construction sites, mining sites, and truck garages have been prohibited, and the vehicles used in these areas will also be included in the UTTS system. Firms that do not comply will not be able to show fuel expenses as deductions and will lose out on tax advantages, preventing the procurement of undeclared fuel.