“We want more EVS:” Queensland doubles electric vehicle rebates to $6,000

The Queensland state government has announced a doubling in the size of rebates for electric vehicles, and extended the eligibility threshold from $58,000 to $68,000.

The announcement will see the size of rebates doubled from $3,000 to $6,000 and will be available to households with an income of less than $180,000 a year. It will apply also to people who have already ordered an EV.

“We want more zero emission vehicles on Queensland roads with Queensland families to have access to cheaper and cleaner vehicles,” said minister for energy, renewables and hydrogen Mick de Brenni.

“We’re seeing the prices of EVs fluctuate on the back of rising materials costs and inflation left by the Morrison Government, so we’ve increased the eligible price cap to $68,000, and increased the rebate amount from $3000 to $6000 for eligible households.

“This is about making EVs more affordable and more accessible to all Queenslanders to slash emissions and act on climate change with cleaner technology. The scheme has already proven popular, and we anticipate this will increase further with the higher threshold and rebate amount.”

“$14.50 to drive almost 4,000 kilometres” Queensland sunshine powering EV revolution.

Brenni pointed to the fact that Australia leads the world on rooftop solar installations, and Queensland has the highest rooftop solar uptake which means it makes sense for people to own an EV and charge it up with their own rooftop PV.

“I was speaking to someone earlier this week who powers their EV with solar from their home. It only cost them $14.50 to drive almost 4,000 kilometres,” said de Brenni.

“Comparably, the cost of driving a petrol-powered car would be at least 30 times this.”

Rebate to bridge Queensland EV uptake gap with other states

But the reality is that Queensland is trailing other states in the uptake of EVs. In Q4 of 2022 Queensland’s EV uptake was lower than all states except South Australia and the Northern Territory.

ACT leads the nation with 8.54% of all all new car sales in Q4 2022 being electric. The ACT figure has since accelerated dramatically to almost 19% in March.

While Queensland has some catching up to do the government’s increased EV rebate to $6000 should help the state bridge the gap.

Today’s announcement also makes the rebate available to Queensland businesses wanting to electrify their fleets.

“We also want to see fleets transition to further drive down emissions. That’s why Queensland businesses can apply for up to five rebates per financial year, providing an opportunity for local businesses to make the switch to electric fleets.” said de Brenni.

RACQ and EV groups welcome rebate increase

The RACQ says its research showed the new $6,000 rebate would make some electric models the same cost or even cheaper than their petrol comparisons.

“RACQ has made it very clear that we don’t want any Queenslander left behind as the world transitions to more sustainable modes of transport and part of that means making electric cars more affordable,”said Joshua Cooney, RACQ’s head of advocacy.

“It’s great to see the State Government double the new EV rebate to $6,000. This decision will make electric cars more affordable and give motorists more choice when purchasing their next car.”

EV advocacy group Solar Citizens also welcomed the increased rebate.

Solar Citizens Clean Transport Campaigner Ajaya Haikerwal says EVs are up to 95% cheaper to run than a petrol vehicle when charged with rooftop solar, which Queensland is already a leader in.

“What’s important here is the means testing – these subsidies won’t just line the pockets of the ultra-wealthy and will mean that a wide cross-section of the state can access cleaner, cheaper-to-run vehicles. “