FUTURE FUELS STRATEGY AUSTRALIA NOV 2021 DISCUSSION TT LIVE EP 211111

EV Channels Review

The Federal Government's November 2021 Future Fuels Strategy is met with significant criticism for its lack of direct consumer incentives like subsidies or tax breaks to encourage electric vehicle (EV) adoption. While the strategy commits to expanding charging infrastructure with a $250 million fund, aiming to create jobs and support private sector partnerships, it notably omits measures such as sales targets or minimum fuel efficiency standards, which are common in other developed nations. Reviewers and industry bodies, like the Electric Vehicle Council, argue this approach misses a crucial opportunity to electrify Australian transport, potentially leaving the country as a 'dumping ground for the world's dirtiest vehicles.' In contrast, state governments, particularly New South Wales, are lauded for their more proactive policies, including significant investment, fleet conversion targets, and incentives like stamp duty abolition. The consensus among participants is that while charging infrastructure is a positive step, the federal strategy falls short of what is needed to accelerate EV uptake and meet climate goals, with many viewers expressing a preference for state-led initiatives.