David Blackhall
A suggestion dealers are not promoting EV sales has “disappointed” the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA).
It’s commenting on the release of the Senate Select Committee Inquiry into Electric Vehicles.
“There are some important recommendations in this report and new car dealers are looking forward to playing our part in supplying EVs to the Australian market,” AADA chief executive officer David Blackhall says.
“We are supportive of a public education campaign and a coordinated approach to skills and training. We are also supportive of a CO2 standard, and Australia should work towards an achievable standard that does not punish local consumers and businesses,” he says
“It is also encouraging that the committee has not recommended a relaxation of used car imports as was suggested by certain groups.
“However, it is very disappointing that this report has mentioned evidence claiming that car dealers are not interested in promoting and selling electric vehicles. This assertion, which was repeated by certain groups throughout the inquiry, is completely false.
“To resist selling EVs would reduce profits and put dealers in breach of their franchising agreements with vehicle manufacturers, potentially risking their businesses,” Blackhall says.
“In our numerous representations to this committee, we consistently made the point that new car dealers are technology agnostic and will sell whatever vehicles our customers want.
“Unfortunately, the authors of this report have quoted the Tesla Owners Club and ignored the evidence of Australia’s 1500 franchised new car dealers and the 70,000 people they employ,” he says.
“Electric vehicles are part of the future and dealers are determined to be part of a thriving industry which supplies them to the market – the primary reason that they are not yet selling well is related to supply, cost and range.”
Blackhall adds that talking down the efforts of the tens of thousands of dealership employees across Australia will do nothing to accelerate EV uptake.
Inquiry committee chairman Tim Storer replies that a broad range of evidence was presented to the inquiry and recorded in its report.
The committee found that higher upfront costs, a lack of charging infrastructure, and limited model availability were key factors hindering Australia’s EV uptake, he says.
It also found that these barriers can all be addressed through sensible government policy.
“But the major parties are simply not showing the leadership we need.
“That’s why I have proposed measures to reduce the cost of EV ownership, funding for charging infrastructure, and setting national EV targets, that will give manufacturers confidence to bring more EVs here.”
