A $490 million EV strategy announced by New South Wales treasurer Dominic Perrottet and transport and roads minister Andrew Constance, due to be implemented by September 1, is welcomed by those in the industry.
“Our nation-leading Electric Vehicle Strategy will incentivise EV uptake, provide industry with the certainty to invest and make the technology accessible across the community,” Constance says.
The strategy delays an “EV tax” on vehicles– a road user charge (RUC) of 2.5c/km for an EV and a 2.0c/km for a PHEV until July 1, 2027, or when EVs comprise at least 30% of new car sales.
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) says the elimination of stamp duty on EVs up to $78,000 from September 1, 2021, and all EVs including plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) from July 1, 2027, a $171 million investment in EV charging infrastructure in metropolitan and regional areas, EV access to transit T2 and T3 lanes and cash rebates for EV customers represent some of the most significant reforms seen in Australia in support of new automotive technology.
“The direction being set by the NSW Government has the capacity to kick-start serious EV penetration into Australia,” FCAI chief executive Tony Weber says.
A $3000 rebate available for the first 25,000 EVs under $68,750 sold from September 1, 2021, is also acknowledged by Weber.
He says the FCAI and its members will work alongside the NSW Government to identify and introduce future reforms that supported the simplification and efficiency of future automotive road user charging structures and systems.
And he says the state government’s actions again highlight the Federal Government risks missing an opportunity to provide leadership and policy direction on the increased take up of zero and low emissions vehicles (ZLEVs).
NSW’s EV policy is of a global standard and what other states will be judged by, Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Behyad Jafari says.
Nissan Australia managing director Stephen Lester says NSW’s decisive actions are good for consumers, good for the market and ultimately good for the state’s own legislated net-zero targets. “These types of policies not only accelerate the EV transition right now, but also put Australia in a stronger place for priority adoption of new vehicle technologies, sooner.”
Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) chief operating officer John Kett says that providing stimulus for improving low EV adoption rates in Australia, by offering tax relief and purchase incentives for customers, is another encouraging step.
“We also acknowledge the New South Wales Government’s own commitment to convert its fleet to fully electric by 2030, with an interim target of 50% by 2026.”
Community group Solar Citizens also celebrates the NSW government’s EV package.
“Electric vehicles can run on cheap renewable energy and don’t produce pollution that harms our health and drives climate change. EVs can also provide valuable grid services by soaking up excess solar during the day and feeding it back into the grid when it’s needed,” Solar Citizens national director Ellen Roberts says.
Nature Conservation Council chief executive Chris Gambian says it’s an historic and very welcome package.
“It will not only reduce the climate impact of road transportation, it will reduce the health impact that cars have on people by improving air quality across our congested cities.”
