Good news for electric vehicle drivers in Tasmania, with the news on Monday that the Rockliff government has expanded the state’s $50 million Energy Saver Loan Scheme to include EV charging equipment.
Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan, says the Energy Saver scheme – originally targeting energy efficient upgrades like solar, batteries and electrification of appliances – will now offer loans of between $500 and $10,000 to install EV chargers at home and businesses.
“By expanding eligibility to EV charging infrastructure, we’re now taking the Energy Saver Loan Scheme out of the home and onto the roads, meaning we’re making an even bigger impact,” Duigan said.
“Importantly, the majority of projects already being rolled out under the Scheme have involved approved Tasmanian businesses, supporting our them to grow, employ more Tasmanians and grow our economy.”
The loan facility adds to the Tasmanian government’s $1.2 million e-transport package, which offers rebates for the purchase of eligible electric vehicles and e-mobility devices.
Tasmania’s minister for climate and environment, Roger Jaensch, says the added loan offer seeks to support EV uptake “beyond purchase price.”
“To assist with the up-front cost of making the switch, households, businesses and not-for-profit organisations can now take advantage of a no-interest loan… to install electric vehicle charging stations at their home or premises.
“With our separate Electric Vehicle Rebate program already offering $2,000 to individuals on the purchase of eligible battery electric vehicles, now we have both the car and the charger covered.
“These incentives will help us get more cars off the road and reduce the number of trips we make using fossil fuels.”
Details on how to apply for both the Energy Saver Loan Scheme and the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program can be found on the Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania website at www.recfit.tas.gov.au/e-transport.
Sophie is editor of One Step Off The Grid and deputy editor of its sister site, Renew Economy. Sophie has been writing about clean energy for more than a decade.