According to InDaily, “more than 7,000 battery-powered vehicles were sold in Australia in October, adding to the annual tally of more than 27,700.” Unfortunately, until now, there has been a lack of affordable models on the market. However, for those interested in making a move to EVs, help is at hand.
Currently, the cheapest EV on the market – the MG ZS EV Excite – starts at $44,990. With emissions targets looming, the federal government is keen to speed up EV uptake, inviting submissions on how to make EVs more affordable. Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has said that they want “Australians of all wealth, of all incomes to have a choice” and that “in other countries, there are cheaper electric vehicles available.” From a state perspective, these new measures include rebates, stamp duty exemptions, free registrations, discounts, and more. European markets are refraining from entering the market, which means that China has an opportunity to join with vehicles under the $40,000 price point.
Not to mention, Good Car Company in Tasmania has successfully received $10 million in funds to boost the number of second-hand EV imports. This investment could allow the company to bring in 2,000 vehicles a year, which is a 10-fold increase. It’s great news for the accessibility and affordability of EVs and news that will no doubt keep coming.
Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm announced in October that Australia had the skills and natural resources to get more people into advanced manufacturing, including making cars. Also, he wanted Tesla to have manufacturing capability on every continent. Infrastructure Minister Catherine King followed up with a hint that a partnership with Tesla to create a manufacturing plant would “absolutely” be welcome in Australia. Watch this space!
As part of the government’s EV uptake plans, each Australian state has its own incentive to ease the cost of EVs, including:
- ACT: Two years of free registration and exemption from stamp duty for ‘zero-emission’ vehicles – full battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles. Plug-in hybrid vehicles will be given a 20% discount
- NSW: Stamp duty is exempt for eligible new and used light electric vehicles purchased for up to $78,000 and registered from 1 September 2021 in NSW.
- NT: Fuel-cell and plug-in hybrids will receive a $1,500 discount in stamp duty and free registration for the next five years
- QLD: Reduced stamp duty for EVs and a $3,000 rebate for new EVs that cost up to $58,000
- SA: A $3,000 rebate for new EVs and FCEVs that cost up to $68,750, limited to the first 7000 cars. Up to $2,000 to install EV smart chargers at home, limited to 7,500 households
- TAS: Two-year stamp duty waiver for all new and used EV purchases (no price ceiling) and a two-year registration exemption for hire car companies that purchase EVs.
- VIC: A $3,000 rebate for all new EVs and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) purchased for less than $68,740 (applied to the first 4,000 purchases only)
As you can imagine, we are pretty pumped (and not in the petrol sense – of course) at this news, and with EVX expanding to provide more accessible, reliable and robust public charging solutions for Aussies, every day we are getting closer and closer to complete EV transition and a cleaner future.
Please see our solutions page or contact us here if you want to hear more about EVX’s charging solutions for EV owners.
