ATA backs proposed NSW electric vehicle tax

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has pledged to support a road user charge for electric vehicles and is expected to introduce a user-charge policy to cabinet within the next year.

Acting CEO of the ATA Bill McKinley said the move was welcome news.

“The existing road user charging system is not fair. All road users must pay their fair share,” Mr McKinley said.

“Without reform, the burden of paying for roads would be forced onto the general public and impact funds allocated for other priorities such as schools and hospitals,” he said.

Earlier this week, the ATA welcomed the South Australian Government’s planned introduction of a road user charge for electric vehicles, set to commence from 1 July 2021.

“This is an important national issue. Electric trucks are a reality, with an all-electric light truck entering the market in 2021 and thousands of electric cars already on our roads,” Mr McKinley said.

“Opponents of an electric vehicle road user charge need to explain what other taxes should be increased or what services will be cut in order to sustainable and fairly fund safe roads into the future.

“The ATA supports the uptake of electric vehicles, although is calling on governments to ensure road user charges for electric heavy vehicles are calculated fairly and transparently,” he said.

Mr McKinley said any electric vehicle road user charge should include heavy vehicles and be set within the existing national system for setting heavy vehicle charges.

“Any road user charge must be set in a way which is nationally compatible and does not impose red tape on interstate operators,” he said.

The ATA and its member associations collectively represent the 50,000 businesses and 200,000 people in the Australian trucking industry. Together, the ATA and its members are committed to safety, professionalism and viability.