2023-06-07
The Victorian Greens have called the Victorian Labor Government’s decision to prematurely end its electric vehicle rebate scheme “a backwards step” on electric vehicle uptake in the state.
Despite transport being the fastest growing source of emissions in Victoria, the Government has done very little to encourage Victorians to make the switch to EVs.
In 2021, the Government even introduced a tax on EV users.
And as the recent State Budget has now revealed, the Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) subsidy program has been scrapped, well short of what the Government promised it would deliver.
Victorian Greens spokesperson for transport, Katherine Copsey, said Victoria was continuing to cement its position as a laughing stock when it came to EV policy.
She added that in a climate crisis, the Government should be helping people make the switch to EVs by making them more affordable, instead of putting up roadblocks.
Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens transport spokesperson, Katherine Copsey MLC:
“Victorian Labor's electric vehicle policy was already the world’s worst, and somehow it just got worse.
"It’s clear this Government hates EVs and has put roadblocks up at every opportunity.
“It's disappointing that this Government continues to punish Victorians who want to reduce their emissions and boost climate-friendly transport.
"The Greens are calling on Labor to scrap their tax on EVs and provide incentives to support people making the switch from expensive, polluting cars to electric vehicles."