'A measure such as introducing an emissions-based registration system is a step in the right direction.' 'A number of studies on the effectiveness of carbon dioxide-based car taxation policies have found evidence they contribute to lowering transport emissions. 'Policies that reduce registration fees and provide tax benefits to electric vehicle owners have been widely implemented overseas during the past few decades. Emissions-based fees will reverse that situation,' he wrote on The Conversation. 'Up to now, owners of electric vehicles have paid more for registration than those of high-polluting vehicles powered by petrol or diesel engines. Hussein Dia, a Professor of Future Urban Mobility at Sydney's Swinburne University of Technology, said a similar registration fee system enforced Australia-wide could have the same effect as a high-emission fee. 'This means lower registrations fees for lower-emission vehicles including plug‐in hybrid, hybrid electric vehicles, low emission petrol and diesel vehicles,' it said.įrom mid-2024, the Australian Capital Territory will charge high-emission vehicles (like the Toyota Hilux, above) a higher registration fee than electric cars The Australian Capital Territory government announced in February that from July 1, 2024, vehicle registration will be calculated based on emissions instead of weight. Several states have already introduced their own incentives for Australians to buy electric vehicles with most offering registration discounts.

'(That) means potentially thousands of these second-hand EV, many still under warranty, will be available for every-day Australians to purchase and benefit from in the next few years.' 'Vehicles purchased under salary-sacrifice arrangements, and company fleets, are often sold after three or four years as relatively new second-hand vehicles,' it said. The Electric Vehicle Council explained the tax exemption will make it cheaper for companies to buy electric cars, which will then be put on the used car market.

Much of the Albanese government's new electric vehicle policy has been modelled off NZ legislation (pictured, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese)

The Scarlet Flush by Carter Brown