<
https://thedriven.io/2026/03/06/rebates-and-tax-cuts-urged-for-evs-as-petrol-prices-hit-4-a-litre/>
"Keeping tax cuts for electric cars and reintroducing state-based rebates could
help more Australians avoid rising petrol prices and should be treated as a
national security issue.
Automotive groups issued the call to governments on Friday as fuel prices
reached almost $4 a litre in some parts of Australia and conflict in the Middle
East continued to strain worldwide oil supplies.
Encouraging more motorists to adopt electric vehicles would not only help to
extend Australia’s fuel reserves, they say, but could also accelerate progress
towards 2035 environmental targets.
The call comes after sales figures revealed a record number of Australian
drivers invested in EVs during February, and as the federal government reviews
the Electric Car Discount introduced in 2022.
The discount removes fringe benefits tax from the price of some electric cars
purchased through novated leases, and has been used by more than 114,000
Australians – significantly more than anticipated.
While critics have argued the discount should be discontinued, Electric Vehicle
Council chief executive Julie Delvecchio said worldwide fuel volatility proved
the opposite.
“Every time there is a conflict in oil-producing regions, Australians pay the
price,” she said.
“The latest spike underscores a simple truth: as long as Australia relies on
imported oil, households remain exposed to global shocks beyond our control.”
As well as retaining the tax discount, Ms Delvecchio said state governments
should reinstate rebates offered for the purchase of electric cars to help
households reduce their spending.
“Electric vehicles help families cut their transport costs by up to $3000 a
year, and most of that saving comes from avoiding the cost of petrol, which is
currently over $2 a litre,” she said.
“Supporting EV uptake is not just climate policy or industry policy, it’s
national security policy.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
