THE GREAT EV RIP-OFF: AUSTRALIA CONFIRMED AS WORLD'S WORST ENVIRO JOKE

EV Channels Review

John Cadogan delivers a scathing critique of Victoria's new electric vehicle (EV) road user charge, labeling it a "great EV rip-off" and a "global humiliating sideshow." He argues that the tax, championed by crossbencher Rod Barton, is politically motivated and ignores the reality that EV owners already pay significant taxes upfront through GST and stamp duty, effectively pre-paying road usage taxes for years. Cadogan highlights that the government's accompanying subsidies disproportionately benefit wealthier individuals and businesses, rather than the socioeconomically disadvantaged. He criticizes the lack of federal fuel consumption regulations in Australia, which limits EV supply and makes the country an "environmental laughingstock." Cadogan proposes a fairer system where a GPS-based usage charge is implemented, with all revenue directly reinvested into road infrastructure, suggesting Google could administer such a system. The review concludes that the current policy is inequitable and makes Australia a global joke in environmental policy.