The ACT Greens have detailed a plan to reduce the Territory’s greenhouse gas emissions in the next decade, aiming to increase zero emission car sales to 90% by 2030.
Announcing rEVolution late last week, the new plan includes a $50 million fund for a financial incentive that will see up to $10,000 each for ACT residents to purchase electric vehicles.
ACT Greens leader and ACT Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Shane Rattenbury said this was the next step in climate action, now the ACT has shifted to 100% renewable electricity.
“At the moment, 63% of our greenhouse gas emissions come from transport and we need to do something if we really need to tackle that seriously,” he said.
“We know there are two main barriers for people to believe electric vehicles are possible – one is price and the other is an absence of charging infrastructure or that sense of range anxiety.
“We want to provide, through this plan, answers to both of those concerns where people can embrace electric vehicles with confidence.”
Currently, zero emission vehicle sales make up less than 1% of total vehicle sales annually in the ACT.
The plan also aims to have zero emissions through public transport, garbage trucks, taxi and rideshare vehicles by 2035.
Mr Rattenbury said an increase in charging infrastructure was also included in the plan.
“I think the range anxiety is one of the biggest myths about electric vehicles; many of the new vehicles coming out have a range of 200-300km.
“In terms of going to the coast, part of this plan is to make sure there are charging stations at places like Braidwood, Bungendore, Jindabyne and Goulburn.
“So you can make that trip, stop and have your coffee, plug your car in and go on with your trip.”
The plan details a goal of phasing out all petrol vehicles in the ACT by 2035.
