Autorego will be overhauled in Canberra, with charges based on emissions produced

Some Canberrans could face higher vehicle registration fees as the ACT Government’s push for an electric vehicle transition drives us up.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr today released the government’s Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) strategy for 2022-2030, which includes a “long-term” overhaul of vehicle registration and the introduction of emissions-based charges.

“We’re moving from a weight-based registration system, where you pay more the heavier your vehicle is, to an emissions-based registration system, where you pay less if you have a zero-emission vehicle,” said Mr. Barr.

Mr Barr said the Government has recognized that the current registration system puts heavier electric vehicles at a disadvantage despite their lower emissions.

“This is being reformed with the aim of incentivising lower emissions,” he said.

The ACT Government has already announced a range of incentives to encourage Canberrans to buy electric vehicles, including interest-free loans, free registration for new or used electric vehicles and a stamp duty exemption for new electric cars.

Today, Mr. Barr announced that the stamp duty exemption would extend to used electric vehicles from August 1st.

“We are looking to grow the second-hand market as it will be an important part of that transition over the coming decade,” said Mr. Barr.

Mr Barr said demographics are an important factor in the pioneering electric vehicle strategy.

Expansion of the capital’s loading capacity

The zero-emission vehicle strategy also details the government’s plan to expand the network of charging stations across the territory and ensure that at least 180 charging stations will be available by 2025.

The government aims to deliver 70 of these stations this fiscal year.

By next year, the government says all new multi-unit residential and commercial buildings will be mandatory to include electric vehicle charging stations, and all other new construction should be “EV-ready”.

A $2,000 incentive will also be provided for installing EV chargers in multi-unit buildings.

In addition, the government said it will continue to work to ensure that more electric vehicle charging stations are available on shared interstate and long-distance routes.

Road to accessibility for electric vehicles

Under the government’s plan, the sale of new gasoline cars would be banned from 2035 — a date that a number of major automakers are also working towards — but selling used gasoline cars or driving a fossil-fuelled car on ACT roads would remain legal .

Still, top-of-the-line coaches have raised concerns that electric vehicles may still not be affordable for many consumers 13 years from now.

Shane Rattenbury, Minister for ACT Emissions Reduction, said the Government’s intention is to make zero-emission vehicles more accessible in the years to come.

“This strategy prepares our territory so we can support investment and technological innovation as it becomes available, making it easier and more accessible for people to switch to ZEVs at a time that’s right for them,” he said.