Victoria's EV Tax Keeps One Foot on the Brake
25th May 2021: Victoria’s EV Tax Keeps One Foot on the Brake
The Victorian Government’s electric vehicle tax will keep Victoria in the slow lane on electric vehicles.
Legislation to introduce road user charges for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles passed today, a move that was condemned by community group Solar Citizens.
“Australia is already lagging behind on electric vehicles, and introducing this tax now will only slow down EV uptake even more, said Solar Citizens’ National Director, Ellen Roberts.
“Electric vehicles are the future: they can be powered with clean solar and wind power, and are cheaper to run and maintain.
“It’s disappointing that the Victorian Government has gone ahead with this premature tax, while the rest of the world is bringing down the costs of EVs to encourage people to make the switch.
“If the Government wants to reach its own target of net zero emissions by 2050 then 100% of vehicle sales need to be electric by 2035, but right now we’re at less than 1%.”
“We should be helping more people to afford cleaner, cheaper to run cars, not making them even more expensive.
“The Government took an important step forward by announcing a $3,000 subsidy and a 50% EV target, but this tax is a big step backwards.
“This EV tax will add up to $5,000 to the cost of an electric vehicle, at time when they’re still unaffordable for many Victorians”
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For comment call Ellen Roberts on 0408 583 694