Australia continues to fall behind the rest of the world as the Morrison Government’s plan for electric vehicles remains stuck in reverse.
So says Queensland transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey who adds that this week’s pre-election $2 billion Climate Solutions Fund announcement fails to commit to any targets or actions.
He says the prime minister’s announcement is “frustratingly devoid of real targets or genuine ambition for electric vehicles”.
“There was a one-page fact sheet talking about a National Electric Vehicle Strategy, but no actual strategy to match it.
Mark Bailey.
“There was no target for electric vehicles in government fleets, no talk of vehicle emission standards, no agenda for charging stations and infrastructure.
“This is despite a senate report just last month saying the development of a national electric vehicle strategy should be a priority for the Australian Government.”
Queensland’s Palaszczuk Government had been calling for a national EV strategy since the sunshine state developed its own in October 2017, Bailey says.
“Queensland is leading the nation through our Electric Super Highway (QESH) – the world’s longest EV charging network in a single state and an infrastructure investment that is determining car maker policy for the entire country.
“We’ve installed 17 charging stations from Coolangatta to Cairns and have made charging free and green to encourage more people to use them.
Bailey says this has given car manufacturers like Hyundai the impetus to bring its Ioniq EV to Australia, choosing Queensland as its launchpad here.
“During a visit to Hyundai’s Korean headquarters last year, the premier learned it was Queensland’s super electric highway that prompted the company to change the design of the charging plug that will be used by most of its models to be sold in Australia.
“Before the last election we made a commitment to build on our investment with a further $2.5 million to reduce the distance between the charging stations along the QESH.
“Up to 13 more locations will be announced later this year because the only way to get more people using EVs is by building infrastructure to support motorists.”
Bailey says EVs will drive new industries and jobs, pointing out Brisbane-based EV charging stations manufacturer Tritium as an example.
“Tritium employs more than 250 staff, exports to 26 countries and is powering electric vehicles around the globe.
“As cheaper models come on to the market and consumer support for electric vehicles grows, Australia’s lack of coordinated leadership to meet this demand will be badly exposed.”
The Electric Vehicle Council of Australia is also critical of the federal EV plan, saying it’s inadequate and that Australians wanting EVs deserve better support.
