Queensland to overtake other states as an electric vehicle leader
21st April 2023: Queensland to overtake other states as an electric vehicle leader
Solar Citizens today welcomes the Queensland Government’s increases to their electric vehicle (EV) rebate scheme, which has doubled the rebate from $3000 to $6000 and increased the threshold for eligible vehicles from $58,000 to $68,000.
Solar Citizens Clean Transport Campaigner Ajaya Haikerwal says that Queensland is becoming a leader in clean transport.
“This is the biggest commitment of any state government towards the affordability of EVs. In a cost of living crisis, where households are struggling with skyrocketing petrol bills, Queenslanders now have even more of an incentive to start saving big bucks with EVs,” said Haikerwal.
“We know that EVs are up to 95% cheaper to run than a petrol vehicle when charged with rooftop solar, which Queensland is already a leader in. What’s important here is the means testing – these subsidies won’t just line the pockets of the ultra-wealthy and will mean that a wide cross-section of the state can access cleaner, cheaper-to-run vehicles.
The Federal Government’s National Electric Vehicle Strategy was announced earlier this week, including a commitment to introducing a Fuel Efficiency Standard, the one key mechanism to addressing EV supply.
“The Queensland Government’s announcement pairs really nicely with the Federal Government’s commitment earlier this week to implement a Fuel Efficiency Standard. We’re calling on the Federal Government to adopt a strong Standard that will mean Australians have access to a wider variety of clean vehicles,” said Haikerwal.
“The only way we can feasibly ramp up our supply is by securing a world-class, loophole-free Fuel Efficiency Standard, in line with New Zealand or the European Union.
“The auto industry thinks they can dupe the Australian public by going slow and pushing the Federal Government to adopt a poorly designed Fuel Efficiency Standard, riddled with loopholes and dodgy credits that exist in countries like the United States. But we’re at the back of the global queue for EVs and we’re certainly not going to catch up by going at a snail’s pace.”
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Media Contact: Ajaya Haikerwal 0400 723 324
