“Let’s not kill EVs”: Main car lobby slams Victoria’s electric vehicle tax

The Driven

The astonishing news that Victoria will join South Australia in introducing an electric vehicle tax has been met with strong opposition from the country’s peak automotive industry body, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which says it will kill off the fledgling EV industry.

If you missed the bomb that was dropped on electric vehicle drivers on Saturday by Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas that the state would charge electric vehicle owners 2.5 cents per kilometre, and plug-in hybrid owners 2 cents per kilometre from July 1, 2021, you can read about it here, and here.

In response to the state moves to tax electric vehicles, which are unique on a global scale and at odds with moves in the US, Europe and UK moves to ban petrol and diesel vehicles, FCAI boss Tony Weber said:

“Australian state governments want to kill the technology at its infancy.

“Once again, we have a state government in Australia trying to destroy the path to a greener and cleaner motor vehicle fleet for this and future generations.”

Weber’s comments come after 31 months decline in petrol and diesel vehicle sales in Australia. Australia’s auto industry reported the lowest decreases in sales in October, after seeing a huge further downturn in sales in 2020 due to the pandemic, leading Weber to note in early November that he could see “green shoots” for the industry thanks to electrified vehicles.

To read the full version of this story, please go to our EV-focussed sister site, The Driven and click here…