Canberra is displaying the clearest path to the longer term of electrical motoring in Australia.
The national capital claims the very best combination of planning, commitment and infrastructure to make electric vehicles (EVs) successful in Australia.
The ACT’s electrification plan covers the whole lot from electric vehicle incentives and a ban on combustion-vehicle sales to plans for home and public charging.
“Should you live in Canberra, your next automobile is more likely to be electric. Before 2030 it should be electric,” the deputy-director for environment, planning and sustainable development within the ACT, Geoffrey Rutledge, told CarExpert.
“Within the passenger vehicle space, we’re approaching a tipping point.
“The ACT is a national and global leader on climate motion. We’ve got decarbonised our electricity supply, committed to phasing out fossil fuel gas, and set a phase-out date for brand spanking new light internal combustion engine vehicles of 2035.”
In line with Mr Rutledge, the Canberra population is usually higher educated and higher paid than most Australians and that makes things easier for electrified motoring.
So, too, does the standard detached housing that – unlike other cities with a high percentage of units and apartments – makes for easier home charging.
“Many Canberrans are motivated to take motion to cut back emissions. Now that the ACT is powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity, greater than 60 per cent of emissions within the ACT come from transport,” he said.
“By transitioning to ZEVs (Zero Emission Vehicles), Canberrans can significantly reduce their household emissions footprint, profiting from those renewables.”
Mr Rutledge reports a quick rising percentage of electrical vehicle sales, greater than double the national average, and might see a faster pick-up rate in 2024 and beyond.
“Latest EV sales within the ACT have exceeded 20 per cent of all latest sales, whereas other states were below 10 per cent. Canberrans push for a more sustainable way of life and are willing to embrace latest technologies,” he said.
“We’re seeing EVs that cost lower than $40,000 entering the market. With operating costs significantly lower than a petroleum or diesel vehicle, for a lot of Canberrans, an EV will likely be the logical next vehicle they drive.”
The most important key to the Canberra plan, said Mr Rutledge, is having a plan.
“An important a part of our approach to zero emissions vehicles (ZEV) is government setting a transparent direction by aiming to attain 80-90 per cent of latest light vehicle sales being ZEVs in 2030 and outlining an intention to phase-out light internal combustion engine vehicles from 2035,” he said.
“These measures set a transparent direction for industry and the community, together with the ACT commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2045.
“The federal government being clear and concise in its intentions gives Canberrans and industry confidence in the longer term direction of the Territory.
“Canberrans know that there may be financial support to assist them buy their first ZEV, which helps to develop a future second-hand ZEV market, to make ZEV’s more accessible to more people.
“We’re investing in expanding the electrical vehicle charging network to make sure there may be a public charging network Canberrans can rely. We’re also sharing the teachings now we have learnt in transitioning our own government fleet to ZEVs through a fleet advisory service providing free advice to businesses and organisations.”
The Canberra plan includes $15,000 interest-free loans through its Sustainable Household Scheme in addition to two years free registration and stamp duty exemption.
The federal government has also spent greater than $1 million a yr on public charging since 2022, aiming for 180 public chargers by the top of 2025.
Electric vehicles make up greater than half of the ACT’s government fleet and it’s committed to using them at any time when there may be a fit-for-purpose alternative.
“As we are actually 4 years into our government fleet transition program, we’re seeing quite a lot of EVs coming to the top of their leases. As leases on these vehicles end, the resale will help stimulate the second-hand EV market here within the territory, making electric vehicles cheaper and accessible to more of the community,” he said.
But Mr Rutledge admits there are still considerable hurdles and there may be greater than 10 years to go.
“We appreciate that transitioning to a ZEV is just not right for everybody yet. Specifically, the ute is a vehicle for which there are few zero emissions options within the Australian market,” he said.
“Nevertheless, increasingly we’re seeing a greater variety of ZEVs becoming available, internationally if not yet in Australia, including light industrial vehicles.
“The phase out-date of 2035 for ICE vehicles pertains to latest ICE vehicles. Canberrans still driving ICE vehicles already on our roads will likely be free to accomplish that beyond 2035, however the intent is that buying a brand new light Internal Combustion Vehicle (ICE) won’t be possible.”
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
