The new financial year has brought in a new saving for low and zero emission vehicle owners living in the ACT. As of July 1, the registration fee calculation in the capital territory changes from a weight-based system to an emissions-based one.
This means new and renewed registration fees for low and zero emissions vehicles will reduce by almost half for the zero emissions category.
It is worth remembering here that the ACT has a 100% renewable electricity supply, meaning the shift to battery electric vehicles provides a genuine zero emissions solution to the transport sector there.
It also has the highest share of EVs in new car sales in the country, with more than 20 per cent – three times higher than the national average. It has a total of 8,659 EVs on the road, or 2.6 per cent of total cars on the road.
Vehicles in the low or zero emissions categories include:
- zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs)
- plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs)
- hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)
- low-emission petrol and diesel vehicles.
According to the ACT Government, the changes will result in most private passenger vehicles (96%) having the same or lower registration cost under the new system.
This change is part of the ACT’s plan to achieve a ZEV sales target of 80-90% by 2030, and cease registration of new non-ZEVs by 2035.
Below is a table showing the registration fee impacts on vehicles, based on their emissions category:
With the registration fee change also comes the phasing out of the previous system of two years free registration for new or used ZEVs.
On top of these registration fee calculation changes, the ACT already has in place several other zero and low emissions vehicle subsidies. These include:
- Stamp duty exemptions for certain categories of low and zero emissions vehicles;
- Under the Sustainable Household Scheme, interest-free loans of up to $15,000 available to eligible homeowners to invest in a range of sustainable products for their homes, including new and used zero emissions vehicles and household zero emissions vehicle charging infrastructure.
Overall, the ACT government is working hard to shift to a zero emissions economy as fast as practically possible – and demonstrating how by enacting mutually consistent and supportive legislative instruments they can achieve that aim. As such, they are providing an Australian contextualised model that other states and territories can follow.
In fact, with such a dedicated and consistent policy direction to achieving a zero emissions economy, it should come as no surprise that the ACT has been dubbed the ‘Little Norway’ of Australia.
For more information and how to calculate the new ACT registration fees, see: https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/driving-transport-and-parking/registration/calculate-your-vehicle-registration
Bryce Gaton is an expert on electric vehicles and contributor for The Driven and Renew Economy. He has been working in the EV sector since 2008 and is currently working as EV electrical safety trainer/supervisor for the University of Melbourne. He also provides support for the EV Transition to business, government and the public through his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.