Australian government launches its EV strategy
Consultation paper outlines electric vehicle adoption goals and seeks submissionsThe switch to electric vehicles in Australia has been officially kicked off.
The federal government opened consultation this afternoon on the development of a National Electric Vehicle Strategy (NEVS) to encourage more EV sales.
Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Transport Minister Catherine King jointly announced the consultation and issued a consultation paper outlining their five key goals for NEVS:
- 1. Make EVs more affordable
- 2. Expand EV uptake and choice
- 3. Reduce emissions
- 4. Save Australians money on fuel
- 5. Increase local manufacturing.
“The time has come for Australian households and businesses to reap the benefits of cheaper, low emissions transport that is fit for the 21st century,” noted the foreword to the paper.
“This consultation paper provides a chance for all Australians to have their say on a National Electric Vehicle Strategy to increase the supply and uptake of electric vehicles.”
The paper poses a series of questions in relation to its goals and objectives and seeks responses from interested parties, who have until October 31 to make a submission.
The consultation paper fulfills a commitment made by Labor during the election campaign and repeated by Bowen at a recent EV summit in Canberra.
“At the heart of the national strategy will be a plan to improve affordability and choice for consumers by growing the Australian EV market,” Bowen said.
“This is a genuine consultation to inform the right policy settings so we can see more affordable electric vehicles on our roads.”
“Right now, Australians miss out on a wider choice of affordable EVs because our policy settings are outdated. It's time for Australians to get a fair go when they're deciding on their next car.”
A significant component of the NEVS strategy is the establishment of an automotive emissions standard. The minsters said only Australia and Russia are among the major economies that don’t have such a standard in place or under development.
Importantly, the fuel standards were highlighted in the context of allowing buyers continued access to internal combustion vehicles.
“These policies are helping other countries reduce transport emissions, save motorists money at the bowser, and enhance consumer choices,” the ministers wrote.
“They also preserve access to the range of vehicles people need for work and leisure.”
This language will probably encourage the likes of the FCAI (Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries), which has been lobbying for a technology-agnostic approach to the 2050 net zero-emissions reduction target recently legislated by the federal government.
Related: National EV plan could lead to cheaper electric cars
Related: Which Australian states offer the best EV incentives?
Related: Industry welcomes ALP's EV policy
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