Some Canberrans could face higher car registration fees as the ACT government's push for a transition to electric vehicles ramps us.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr today released the government's 2022-2030 Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) Strategy, which includes a "long-term" overhaul of car registration, making fees emissions-based.
"We are transitioning away from a weight-based registration system where you pay more the heavier your vehicle is, to an emissions-based registration system where you will pay less if you have a zero-emission vehicle," Mr Barr said.
Mr Barr said the government recognised that the current registration system penalised heavier electric vehicles despite their lower emissions.
"This will be reformed with the goal of incentivising lower emissions," he said.
The ACT government has already announced a number of incentives to encourage Canberrans to purchase electric vehicles, including interest-free loans, free registration for new or used EVs and a stamp duty exemption for new electric cars.
Today, Mr Barr announced that stamp duty exemption would also extend to second-hand electric vehicles from August 1.
"We are seeking to grow the second-hand market because that will be an important part of this transition over the coming decade," Mr Barr said.
Mr Barr said demography was an important contributor to the pioneering electric vehicle strategy.
Expanding the capital's charging capacity
The Zero Emissions Vehicles Strategy also details the government's plan to expand the network of charging stations across the territory, ensuring there are at least 180 available charging stations by 2025.
The government is aiming to deliver 70 of those stations this financial year.
By next year, the government says it will be mandatory for all new multi-unit residential and commercial buildings to include electric vehicle charging stations and all new other builds should be "EV ready".
A $2,000 incentive will also be made available for the installation of EV chargers at multi-unit buildings.
Additionally, the government said it would continue to advocate for more EV chargers to be available on common interstate and long-distance routes.
Journey to EV accessibility
Under the government's plan, the sale of new petrol cars would be banned from 2035 — a date a number of large car manufacturers are also working towards — but the sale of second-hand petrol cars or driving a fossil fuel-powered car on ACT roads would remain legal.
Still, peak vehicle bodies have voiced concerns that electric vehicles still may not be affordable for many consumers in 13 years' time.
ACT Emissions Reduction Minister Shane Rattenbury said the government's intention was to make zero-emission vehicles more accessible in the coming years.
"This strategy sets our territory up, so we can support the investment and the technology innovation when it becomes available, making it easier and more accessible for people to transition to ZEVs at a time that is right for them," he said.
