Urgent need for Australia to act as world races ahead on electric vehicles

PRESS RELEASE

France’s announcement that it willban all petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040 is the latest in a series of strong national targets for electric vehicle uptake, supported by incentives and over-arching policy support by every member of the G8 and most other major economies around the world.

Electric Vehicle Council CEO Behyad Jafari said this latest announcement is an urgent wake-up call for Australian governments to take immediate action to support growth in the domestic industry.

“The era of the internal combustion engine is coming to an end. With more than two million electric vehicles already sold, and another one million expected this year, it’s no surprise that countries are lining up to support a booming global industry.”

“Meanwhile, sales of electric vehicles in Australia are years behind, due to a lack of any policy support to provide certainty for mass market investment.”

The Electric Vehicle Council’s State of Electric Vehicles in Australia report, prepared by ClimateWorks Australia shows the lack of an overarching electric vehicle policy is preventing the supply of vehicle model choice for cars priced under $60,000.

The Electric Vehicle Council has called on Australian governments to provide short-term support to drive the initial demand of electric vehicles through, cost support by electric vehicle exemptions to taxes such as Fringe Benefits Tax, Stamp Duty and Registration to bring down the upfront cost of electric vehicles; implementation of strong light vehicle CO2 standards, bulk government fleet purchasing programs and targets for national electric vehicle sales in line with the international market.

The interest in electric vehicles has resulted in more than $50 billion of investment around the world.

Global markets that have successfully promoted electric vehicle uptake and industry investment have done so through an established path of providing initial cost support, setting strong standards and working towards national targets.

“Like with any new technology, particularly one that provides benefits to public health, reducing carbon emissions and attracting new jobs and investment, electric vehicles require short-term cost support to encourage their initial adoption.

Once a level of scale has been reached, that support can be withdrawn as private investment and competition continue to reduce costs.”

“Interest in investing in Australia’s electric vehicle industry, including through the associated infrastructure, technology, batteries and customer support, is incredibly high.”

“That short-term government support serves as a signal to the market that Australia is serious about electric vehicle uptake and provides certainty to unlock investment to grow our economy and create new, high skilled jobs.”

Major economies around the world are setting strong targets for electric and zero emissions vehicles. (List below)

“It’s clear that the move towards electric transportation is under way. The only question left is whether Australia will be makers or takers in the future of this industry.”