The next Queensland state government must boost EV uptake, lower household costs, and improve community air quality according to the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC).
EVC chief executive Samantha Johnson says it is irrelevant as to who forms the government after the state election on October 26.
She says that as Queenslanders grapple with high living costs, EVs provide significant savings due to lower running expenses and reduced maintenance needs compared to petrol or diesel vehicles.
EVs have proven popular in the Sunshine State, representing nearly 10% of all new light vehicles sold in Queensland in Q2 this year – a five-fold increase on the same period in 2022.
“The next Queensland government has a golden opportunity to accelerate the shift to cleaner, more affordable transport,” says Johnson.
“It’s encouraging to see the major parties commit to 50-cent public transport fares, but the same focus on cost-of-living relief should be extended to stronger support for electric vehicles – cars that eliminate expensive fuel costs and are cheaper to maintain. EV drivers save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, every year once they make the switch.
“Offering incentives for electric vehicle uptake is one of the most effective ways state governments can reduce the upfront purchase price which is still a barrier to adoption, particularly for households that would benefit the most from the lower running costs.
“Queensland’s recently shelved Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate Scheme was a huge success that helped lower-to-middle-income households access the EV market. The high demand led to an early exhaustion of funds, leaving families without access to this crucial incentive. We strongly advocate for the introduction of a similar scheme to drive broader adoption and expand the developing second-hand EV market.
“Increasing EV uptake not only reduces costs for Queenslanders, it can support the economy,” says Johnson.
“The government can create jobs and enhance the state’s position in global EV and battery supply chains by supporting local manufacturers to produce heavy electric vehicles and leveraging Queensland’s critical mineral resources and skilled workforce. “The government can also boost regional economies by investing in public EV infrastructure.”
The EVC is advocating for the next Queensland government to adopt its ‘5-point EV Action Agenda’.
That includes reinstating an EV rebate scheme to reduce costs – a $100 million EV rebate program, offering $3000 per new EV on a means-tested basis, which will help reduce the upfront cost for Queensland families, says the council.
“This measure will directly address cost-of-living pressures while helping Queensland achieve its target of 200,000 EVs by 2027.”
The agenda seeks expansion of charging infrastructure for economic growth – an additional $30 million in competitive co-funding for public fast-charging stations, $10 million for kerbside charging, and $10 million to retrofit chargers in apartment buildings. “This will support regional tourism, improve the liveability of our urban environments, and future-proof Queensland’s transport network,” says the EVC.
It also wants support for local industry and businesses – invest in Queensland’s manufacturers to produce more electric trucks and buses so the state can capitalise on growing global demand while helping local businesses switch to electric heavy vehicles so they can benefit from lower running costs, says the council.
The agenda seeks investment in the EV supply chain to create jobs – work with the federal government to bolster the state’s ‘Battery Industry Strategy’ and support the development of an internationally competitive battery materials sector to drive job creation, innovation and long-term economic growth.
“Expanding Queensland’s Zero Emission Bus Program is also critical to support local jobs and industry development,” says the EVC.
The council wants to see reform of regulations to support industry and infrastructure.
“This includes streamlining network connections for EV chargers, updating technical standards to allow EV-to-grid power, making home EV charging more affordable in regional Queensland, and addressing non-evidence based fire safety requirements that hinder EV infrastructure development.”
