ACT extends EV stamp duty exemption to electric motorcycles

Australia’s Capital Territory has announced this week that new and used electric motorcycles are now exempt from stamp duty.

The ACT has made a number of strides to accelerate EV adoption, including waiving stamp duty on EVs, two years’ free registration, and – for eligible households – access up to $15,000 towards the cost of an EV under the Sustainable Household Scheme zero interest loans.

This week, however, ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury announced that the state was expanding the stamp duty waiver to new and used electric motorcycles as part of its ACT Zero Emissions Vehicle Strategy 2022-20230.

The Strategy also includes a commitment to introduce incentives to encourage the uptake of electric bikes, motorbikes, and trikes.

The announcement comes several weeks after the ACT declared its intention to become the first Australian state or territory to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel fuelled internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

Rattenbury announced the plans in mid-July for a staged phase-out of petrol vehicles on a pathway to a cut-off date of 2035.

“We’re signaling right now goals for 2030 and 2035,” Rattenbury told reporters in July.

“We’re not springing a surprise on Canberrans, we’re being really clear about what the long-term direction is, wanting to give people plenty of time to get ready, plenty of time to make decisions and plenty of time to make sure the industry is supporting that changeover.”

“With more than 60% of our emissions coming from transport this is a key area for the ACT government to work with the community, with the business sector, and with the car makers to make sure that we are addressing this.

“Ninety-five per cent of vehicles in the ACT are light vehicles – this target is all about light vehicles,” Rattenbury added.

“There are [electric] models available right now that you can replace them with. And we expect more models to become available in the coming years.”