Driving climate action through electric vehicle MOU

PRESS RELEASE

CT Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Shane Rattenbury will today sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mayors and Ministers from several other jurisdictions to support the greater use of electric vehicles (EVs). 

Speaking from the Climate Action Roundtable in Adelaide, Minister Rattenbury said the MOU would assist climate change mitigation efforts, noting the “significant challenges and opportunities” presented by the transport sector.

Transport will be the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions from 2020 onwards, and cars will soon become Canberra’s single biggest producer of greenhouse gas emissions.

“As well as improving public transport and active travel options, we also need to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. In addition to providing zero emissions transport, electric vehicles also offer cheaper running costs and reduce air and noise pollution,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“Australia has been regrettably slow in its uptake of electric vehicles. This MOU seeks to turn this around, and will allow jurisdictions such as the ACT and South Australia to take advantage of their joint purchasing power, and to cooperate on other initiatives such as planning recharging points across jurisdictions.”

The MOU commits the signatories (the ACT, South Australia, City of Adelaide, City of Hobart and the Electric Vehicle Council of Australia) to working together to increase the share of electric vehicles in government fleets, support the uptake of electric vehicles in the community, and take a coordinated approach to planning and constructing infrastructure to support the use of electric vehicles.

“Taking action on climate change is not something that can be done in isolation. We need progress at all levels of government, and by working together we drive change and make the most of opportunities to transition to net zero greenhouse emissions as soon as possible,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“Canberra is fast becoming a hub for renewable energy and clean technologies, and is the ideal place for electric vehicle initiatives. It is the only jurisdiction in Australia to have a Green Vehicles Stamp Duty Scheme to encourage the purchase of low emission vehicles. Our transition to 100% renewable energy means EVs can be recharged here without creating greenhouse gas emissions.

“In the ACT we are building a light rail network powered by renewable electricity and we’re trialing electric buses. Through our Next Generation renewable energy auction, the ACT Government has also secured a trial of hydrogen powered vehicles. The ACT is making progress but there is more to do.

“As with our recent Cities Power Partnership, the Climate Action Roundtable presents an opportunity to work closely with other jurisdictions and accelerate our progress towards achieving net zero emissions,” Mr Rattenbury said.