A last-minute rush has seen more than 1300 Victorians claim rebates on their electric vehicle purchases days before the state government ends the scheme, almost a year earlier than planned.
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Government figures show Victorians have been claiming the $3000 electric car subsidies at a rate of more than 60 a day since the change was announced early in June as part of the state's 2024 budget.
But many more subsidies are available in other Australian states without plans to shut down their schemes, including New South Wales where more than 17,000 drivers could still claim a rebate, and in Queensland, which will double its subsidy for some buyers the day after Victoria ends its offer.
RMIT engineering research fellow Dr Syed Ali said Victoria's move to end vehicle rebates was premature and had the potential to slow electric vehicle adoption and see Australia fall short of its 2030 emissions reduction target.
The Victorian government revealed plans to scrap its $3000 electric vehicle subsidy for motorists on its website earlier this month, with a spokeswoman saying the government had already "laid the groundwork" to achieve electric car sales of 50 per cent by 2030.
But the move has inspired a rush on electric vehicle purchases and claims in the state, with 1202 claims approved in just 20 days.
Late on Wednesday, only 1466 rebates remained available until the scheme was due to close at 6pm on June 30.
By comparison, the New South Wales government had 17,872 rebates remaining on May 30, and South Australia had 6100 rebates left on May 16.
The Queensland government will also double its subsidy on electric vehicles purchases to $6000 for households earning less than $180,000 a year, with new applications due to be released on July 1.
Dr Ali said Australia's automotive market was not ready to see electric vehicle subsidies scrapped or reduced and the move could discourage drivers from purchasing zero-emission vehicles.
"Government incentives should not be reduced at least until Australia achieves 40 to 50 per cent EV uptake, which is currently even less than 10 per cent," he said.
"Some of the most important factors that enhance the EV uptake are the purchase incentives and favourable government policies and it is essential that we use these to encourage their swift uptake."
Dr Ali said removing EV subsidies could hamper Australian efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent in 2030, and called for governments to also consider introducing disincentives for petrol and diesel vehicles, such as price penalties.
"Ideally, we hope the next generation never needs to learn how to put petrol in a car," he said.
Electric vehicles made up 7.7 per cent of all new cars sold in Australia during May, with 8124 vehicles registered, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.
The figure represents an increase of 778 per cent on sales from May 2022.
Australian Associated Press
