We will respond to the release of this week’s consultation paper through a formal submission with insights and recommendations about how Australia can best transition to a system of low-emission mobility.

This consultation paper offers the hope of some much-needed national leadership.

While current State and Federal Government measures to support EV uptake are welcomed, a consistent, overarching, national strategy is required.

RACQ supports the Commonwealth Government’s goals of making EVs more affordable, expanding choice and uptake, reducing emissions, reducing costs, and supporting local industry where Australia is competitive.

RACQ will seek to provide policy advice on the following five key areas:

• Consumer Education – to provide opportunity for motorists to drive EVs and information about how EVs will meet the needs for most of the transport task.
• Charging Infrastructure – to ensure a comprehensive and affordable charging network, including both fast chargers for longer trips, and home and workplace charging for the everyday needs.
• Transport Taxation – Transport taxation is no longer fit for purpose and needs to be reformed. An updated system needs to be simple and address clear policy objectives as well as revenue generation.
• EV Supply and Incentives – A comprehensive and targeted framework is required to bolster EV uptake.
• Fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions standards – a robust fuel efficiency standard should be the cornerstone of any EV framework. While this will encourage EV uptake, it will also encourage uptake of lower emission ICE vehicles and reduce the cost of new and used fuel efficient vehicles.

While EVs will satisfy the transport needs of most Australians, especially those residing in metropolitan areas, it is important that the National EV Strategy has a wider geographic focus. This is especially Important in Queensland as one of Australia’s most decentralised states.

In addressing support measures, RACQ would urge government to consider the needs and options for remote and regional Australia as well as those residing in and around our capital cities.

The National Electric Vehicle Strategy can be found here: https://consult.industry.gov.au/national-electric-vehicle-strategy.