Federal incentives to lower the price of electric vehicles (EVs) for families and electric utes for tradies will be on the agenda if independent Dr Sophie Scamps wins the seat of Mackellar at the coming election.
Under Dr. Scamps’ policy, the federal government would match the cash incentive offered by the NSW, South Australian, Queensland and Victorian governments for new EV purchases – currently $3,000. The incentive would be offered for the first 100,000 new EVs purchased every year.
Dr Scamps would also work to ensure 25,000 of these rebates are allocated to small businesses purchasing new electric utes and commercial vehicles when they are available in Australia. There are currently no electric utes available in Australia, despite consumers in New Zealand and the US being able to purchase affordable electric utes already.
Dr Scamps’ proposal could see the new proportion of EVs sold in Australia rise from 2% in 2021, to approximately 10% based on 2021 new car sales data – and in line with the global average. The cheapest EV in Australia, currently the MG ZS EV, would come down to $40,990 for motorists in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia under Dr Scamps’ policy.
Fast-tracking EV charging infrastructure and introducing vehicle emission standards will also be a priority under Dr Scamps’ climate policies, which aim to help families and small business owners realise the benefits of the transition to a clean energy economy.
Dr Scamps said Australian motorists are being dudded when it comes to federal EV policy: “Owning an electric vehicle should not be a privilege or a luxury.”
“EVs should be affordable for all Australian families and small businesses, including tradies. EVs could save families and small business owners hundreds of dollars a week in petrol costs, while EVs are also cheaper to maintain over the long run,” said Dr Scamps.
“Scott Morrison has been a handbrake on EVs in this country and his policy inertia means we risk becoming a dumping ground for expensive and dirty vehicles in the future.”
“The bottom line is that by incentivising the sale of EVs and investing in charging infrastructure we can reduce cost of living pressures facing Australians, reduce pollution and emissions, and help speed up the transition of our economy to a net zero future,” said Dr. Scamps.
In addition to Dr Scamps’ focus on EVs, her climate policy calls for:
- A minimum 50% 2030 emissions reduction target – in line with calls from the Business Council of Australia and the Australian Industry Group
- Legislating Australia’s 2050 net zero target
- Establishing an independent advisory commission to the federal government on climate change and emissions reduction activities
- Developing sector-specific decarbonisation plans across Australia
- Creating a National Adaptation Plan – in line with Australia’s obligations under the Paris Agreement
- Increasing funding to help emergency services plan, prepare and respond to climate-induced natural disasters
- Establishing a Parliamentary inquiry into the impacts of climate change on human health
- Supporting the Australian Electricity Market Operator’s (AEMO) plan to increase renewable energy to at least 80% by 2030
- A phased approach to introducing vehicle emissions standards with the aim of achieving an emissions ceiling and fuel efficiency of 105g/km
- A Parliamentary inquiry into the Emission Reduction Fund to ensure the integrity of offsets and review their application in the context of Australia’s decarbonisation plans
“Every day I talk to people in Mackellar who tell me climate change is the number one issue at this election,” said Dr. Scamps.
“For too long Scott Morrison and the Liberal Party, beholden to their fossil fuel donors, have dragged their feet on climate action and held Australia back from realising our potential as a renewable energy superpower.
“They keep reheating Tony Abbott’s climate policy, but nothing is changing. We need to bring the policy debate on climate change back to the sensible centre and I will do just that if elected as the independent MP for Mackellar at the election.”
