Australia Released a New Change: Accelerate the Implementation of Electric Vehicle Strategy
As a key pillar of Australia's goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, Prime Minister Scott Morrison's electric vehicle strategy will accelerate the roll-out of charging and refuelling stations across the country to support 1.7 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030.
With carmakers issuing timetables for ending production of traditional cars, Morrison said the government's strategy would not force Australians to give up their family cars, pickups and trucks.
The "Future Fuels" strategy, released on Tuesday, will drive more than $500 million in combined private and public investment, which is expected to help cut more than 8 million tons of carbon emissions by 2035 and avoid $224 million in electricity network upgrades.
The plan creates more than 2,600 jobs by building charging infrastructure in 400 businesses, 50,000 homes and 1,000 public fast charging stations. The new public charging stations will be used by up to 84 percent of the population, covering about 21 million people and reducing health costs by 200 million by 2035.
Morrison said the Future Fuel plan was designed to avoid taxes and provide "choice rather than coercion" when the price of electric vehicles falls with demand.
"Australians love their family cars, farmers rely on their trusted pickup trucks and our economy relies on trucks and trains to get goods everywhere," Morrison said.
"We will not force Australians to give up the car they want to drive, nor penalise those least able to afford it through bans or taxes." The strategy will aim to reduce the cost of low - and zero-emission vehicles and increase consumer choice.
"We will do this by creating the right environment for industry to co-invest in the development of this technology."
Morrison said he believes Australians will embrace electric vehicles when they become "cost competitive," leading to world-leading adoption rates similar to rooftop solar.
Amid concerns within the National Party about the accelerating adoption of electric vehicles and the impact on fuel tax revenues, Australia will focus on investing in public electric vehicle charging and refueling infrastructure, heavy duty and coach fleets, light commercial fleets and home smart charging.
Energy Minister Angus Taylor, who released the Future of Fuel discussion paper in February, will present a package of market reforms to state and territory governments to ensure the grid is ready for electric vehicles.
Taylor, who attended the COP26 summit in Glasgow with Morrison last week, said the development of low-emission vehicles and future fuel technologies, backed by $2.1 billion in government investment, would "evolve over time." Reinventing the way we drive."
"As prices continue to fall, Australians are already making that choice," Taylo said.
