Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has positive engagement on climate change policy in Australia in 2022-24. The association has consistently advocated for ambitious New Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Standards in Australia and has supported numerous other federal and state policy measures promoting the electrification of transportation.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: The EVC has positive top-line communications on climate in 2022-24. EVC stated support for Australia’s federal and state-level net-zero 2050 targets in a March 2024 report, alongside advocating for numerous higher ambition climate regulations related to the automotive sector in the same report. In a May 2023 consultation response, the Electric Vehicle Council also appeared to support the Paris Agreement.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: EVC has consistently advocated for an ambitious New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES) for light-duty vehicles in Australia in 2022-24. EVC called for Australia to adopt stringent New Vehicle Fuel Efficiency standards for light-duty vehicles in line with the US, EU and New Zealand in May 2023 and October 2022 consultation responses. The group further advocated against the inclusion of multiplier/bonus, off-cycle and AC credits that would weaken the stringency of the standards in its May 2023 response. EVC’s former CEO, Behyad Jafari, further advocated against the widespread use of multiplier credits in NVES according to a Sydney Morning Herald quote in August 2023. In a March 2024 consultation response, the EVC supported the government’s proposed fuel efficiency standards as part of NVES and continued to advocate against flexibilities that would weaken the rule’s stringency. In May 2024 when NVES was legislated by Parliament, a statement from EVC’s former CEO was reported by Go Auto to have publicly praised the decision.
Regarding other Australian policies, in a December 2023 consultation response in Tasmania, the Electric Vehicle Council supported numerous investments to promote a modal shift to lower-carbon forms of transport, including cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. In a press release in December 2022, the Electric Vehicle Council also supported New South Wales’ 2035 GHG emissions target of 70%, and a joint statement signed by EVC in October 2023 supported Australia’s 43% by 2030 GHG emissions reduction target.
Positioning on Energy Transition: EVC is highly engaged in supporting policies to promote the rapid electrification of transportation in Australia. In a March 2024 consultation submission to a federal Inquiry on Electric Vehicles, the group supported increased incentives for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and purchases, expanding fringe benefit tax exemptions for electric vehicles and a low-carbon fuel standard. In a December 2023 consultation response EVC supported Tasmania’s EV purchase rebates and interest-free loans for EV purchases, and supported the Victorian government policy to only procure zero-emission buses from 2025 in another September 2023 consultation response. An EVC press release further supported the repeal of Victoria’s EV tax in September 2023, and a July 2023 report supported the Australian Capital Territory’s 2035 ICE phase-out plans. In its October 2022 consultation submission to Australia’s National Electric Vehicle Strategy, the EVC called for the Federal Government to implement a target of at least 60% of all light-duty car sales being EVs by 2030 and supported the Electric Car Discount Bill. In the same submission, the EVC also advocated for the introduction of a zero-emission heavy vehicle sales mandate broadly aligned with the California Air Resources Board's scheme.
Regarding heavy-duty vehicles, the Electric Vehicle Council has also supported financial incentives to promote the sector, including a July 2023 report. An August 2023 South Australia consultation response from EVC further supported increased incentives and EV charging infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles in the state. In its October 2022 consultation submission to Australia’s National Electric Vehicle Strategy, the EVC supported the introduction of a federal zero-emission heavy vehicle sales mandate broadly aligned with the California Air Resources Board's scheme.
A comment from an EVC staff member reported by ABC News in July 2024 also broadly supported the faster phase-out of coal and gas-fired power plants in Australia.