Labor has committed to encouraging cheaper, cleaner transport by establishing a new Driving the Nation Fund, and by building a National Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Network.
The announcement was made at its launch for the federal elections on May 21, the commitment welcomed by the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) which says it will help every Australian embrace EV benefits.
Labor’s investment in the EV Charging Network, with charging stations at an average interval of 150km on major roads, would be matched by the NRMA, and involve partnerships with state, territory and local governments.
The proposed investment will send a potent signal to consumers and the EV industry, says EVC chief executive Behyad Jafari.
“Under Labor’s commitment you could be certain that no matter where you live or where you’re going you could get there in an EV,” he says.
“We know range anxiety remains a major impediment to Australians purchasing EVs. Although much of this anxiety is misplaced, building a modern network of charging infrastructure would send a strong signal that there’s nothing to fear.
“City drivers are flocking to EVs because the benefits are so clear and obvious. For regional drivers hesitancy is stronger, but that’s why it’s excellent to see the NRMA committing to partnering with the federal government to roll out regional charging infrastructure and make EVs an option for all Australians,” Jafari explains.
“In spite of some very unfortunate fear mongering and a general lack of ambition at the federal level in recent years, Australians are now wide awake to the myriad benefits of EVs.
“If they can see the Australian Government is in behind this shift we will see a rapid acceleration of progress.”
Labor’s federal election campaign launch in Perth on May 1 under leader Anthony Albanese offered $500 million for the Driving the Nation Fund and nearly $40m for the EV charging network.
The Driving the Nation Fund includes co-investment in EV chargers as well as “hydrogen highways” and biofuel refuelling infrastructure.
Labor’s Electric Car Discount intended to apply from July 1 this year if it wins the election aims to make it cheaper to buy EVs and reduce emissions and will be reviewed after three years.
It will exempt many EVs from import tariffs (a 5% tax on some imported EVs) and fringe benefits tax (FBT) – a 47% tax on EVs provided through work for private use.
The EVC estimates that a $50,000 model (such as the Nissan Leaf) will be more than $2000 cheaper as a result of removing the import tariff.
If a $50,000 model is provided through employment arrangements, Labor’s FBT exemption will save employers up to $9000 a year. Often FBT is passed on to employees – and those employees will benefit directly from Labor’s policy, the party says.
Savings will be even higher for more expensive models (up to the luxury car tax threshold), it adds.
Labor says electric cars are cheaper to run and maintain.
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