Queensland’s $45 million Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Rebate Scheme, which has successfully helped over 10,000 Queensland individuals and businesses transition to electric vehicles (EVs) has closed.
Initially planned to run for three years, The ZEV rebate scheme intended to reduce the upfront costs of purchasing a new, full battery, light passenger, or light commercial ZEV and finished in just over two years on September 2.
On 1 July 2023, the Queensland Government increased the rebate from $3000 to $6000 for eligible individuals who met a household income threshold, and increased the vehicle threshold from $58,000 to $68,000 (inclusive of GST).
The pace of change in the EV market has seen significant decreases in the price of new cars with the price of popular models dropping from between as much as 10- 30 percent since the end of 2023.
The upfront purchase price of ZEVs has been a significant barrier to many Queenslanders who wish to transition to or purchase a ZEV as their next vehicle.
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In just over two years, the scheme successfully helped to increase EV uptake in Queensland, with EV car registrations rising fourfold since the start of the scheme, to over 46,000 as of 31 July 2024.
EV cars now make up one percent of the total car fleet in Queensland, up from only 0.2 per cent two years ago.
The scheme was successful in advancing progress towards achieving the ZEV Strategy target of 50 percent of new passenger vehicle sales to be zero emission by 2030.
In the year ending June 2024, 8.5 percent of total Queensland’s new passenger vehicle sales were zero emission, compared to 1.7 percent two years ago.
Bart Mellish MP Transport and Main Roads Minister said Queensland has led the nation in supporting the purchase of new electric vehicles and assisted over 10,000 Queensland drivers to access the EV market.
“The nation-leading Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate Scheme was successful in driving electric vehicle uptake in Queensland, with a fourfold increase in EV cars registered since the start of the scheme two years ago,” he said.
“The success of the scheme demonstrates Queensland Government’s commitment towards encouraging cleaner, greener transport modes and supporting the transition to EVs, while assisting Queenslanders with cost-of-living pressures by reducing the upfront costs of purchasing a new eligible EV.”
For more information, https://www.qld.gov.au/