Senate Committee recommends national EV strategy

There’s up to 11 EV cars either on sale now or due to hit Australian salerooms this year. The Hyundai Ioniq and Jaguar I-Pace are already here, but the list is long with Nissan, Kia, Audi, Tesla, BMW and Mercedes-Benz hitting the scene with offerings this year. But ask just about anyone outside of the motoring bubble and the chances are they know more about Chinese arithmetic than EV cars.

The lack of understanding isn’t the fault of automotive brands either, countries like Norway, large tracts of Europe and to an extent North America are well and truly embracing the gradual end of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). 

This is where governments need to play a role. Today we learn The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), is tickled pink over recommendations made by the Senate Select Committee Inquiry into Electric Vehicles.

Tony Weber the CEO of the FCAI said, “The international automotive industry has a strong focus on low emission and electric vehicles. Most brands have models either in concept form, in planning, or in production – and we even have several of these innovative vehicles on sale here in Australia right now,”

“However, awareness of EV technology in Australia is low and it has been proven that, without clear policy or support from government, sales of the vehicles will be slow in the initial stages.”

“The recommendations made by the Senate Select Committee will provide a much- needed boost to ensure EVs increase on Australian roads, and our country keeps up with the rest of the world in terms of environmentally innovative mobility.”

“Importantly, the report calls for the government to introduce a vehicle emissions standard in Australia. A credible yet realistic CO2 vehicle emissions reduction standard is critical to stimulate investment in lower-emission vehicle technologies for the Australian market.”

But the main headline from the report is the Committee’s recommendation that “The Australian Government should prioritise the development of a national EV strategy and an inter-governmental taskforce to lead its implementation.”

That strategy would include tax and duty cuts for purchases of non-ICE vehicles. Plus, and vitally an in-depth plan to invest in a comprehensive public charging network.

You may think this is all just greenie talk, but irrespective of your views on the environment these cars are coming. This a positive the government is also coming to the table.