Released 11/07/2023
The ACT has this month reached a milestone of more than 5,000 zero emissions vehicles (ZEV) registered in the Territory as the ACT Government also launches a new ZEV web tool to support community members making their next choice electric.
Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Shane Rattenbury said this promising milestone coincides with the launch of a new cost comparison web tool, which will make it easier for Canberrans to better understand the running costs of ZEVs.
“The ACT has the highest number of ZEVs per capita in Australia and has now reached a milestone of more than 5,000 registered in the ACT. The number has doubled since this time last year and now one in five newly registered vehicles is a ZEV,” Minister Rattenbury said.
“This demonstrates not only that Canberrans care for our environment and want to do their part to reduce emissions, but also that they have discovered the many benefits that come from owning a ZEV.
“We have launched a new free cost comparison tool to accurately reflect these benefits and help Canberrans make more informed decisions on whether or not to purchase a ZEV when looking for their next vehicle.
“The new tool takes about 5 minutes to use and allows you to see at a glance the total cost of ownership of any car model available in Australia over a five-year period. It also allows you to compare these costs to other models available on the market.
"While ZEV’s are still typically priced at a premium compared to petrol or diesel alternatives, the reduced operational costs and greater resale value of ZEV’s means that they can cost you less in the long run.
“This tool is another step in the ACT Government’s people-first approach to climate action,” Minister Rattenbury said.
ZEVs can be cheaper for Canberrans to run as they have far fewer maintenance costs. Canberrans can save money on refuelling costs, especially if they are able to charge with energy from their home solar panels.
“Other information the tool provides includes driving range, annual fuel or energy costs, as well as financial incentives available if you purchase a ZEV in the ACT.
“New electric vehicle models can go much further than people think, with the average electric vehicle driving range of new models now between 300 – 600km. The average Canberran travels only 40kms per day, so this is more than adequate to meet the needs of many ACT drivers,” said Minister Rattenbury
ACT Secretary, Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA), Darryl Bourke said AEVA is pleased to see how enthusiastically Canberrans are embracing electric vehicles, with the number of EVs having doubled over the past 12 months.
“Before long, most people will know someone with an EV and this will continue to normalise zero emissions vehicles,” Mr Bourke said.
Evenergi CEO, Daniel Hilson said that Evenergi is proud to partner with the ACT Government and support their shift to zero-emission vehicles with industry-leading software for EV fleets.
"We commend the ACT Government for their leadership in the clean energy transition and look forward to accelerating the decarbonisation of transport together." Mr Hilson said.
To try out the tool, visit https://energy.act.gov.au/owning-a-zero-emissions-vehicle/
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Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Media Releases