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The party would have 25 per cent of fleet vehicles electric by 2025.
Labor in New South Wales has proposed new targets and funding to encourage electric vehicle (EV) adoption, calling for 25 per cent of government fleet vehicles to be EV by 2025.
The state opposition has also committed $10 million over three years to electric vehicle infrastructure, called for reformed planning regulations to encourage charging infrastructure in residential apartment blocks, and promised $1 million for a public awareness campaign to communicate the technology’s benefits.
CarAdvice has contacted the NSW State Government for comment on the proposal, and will update when it’s available.
Rachel Wiseman, NRMA chief investment officer, backed the party’s plan, arguing governments can play a “practical role” in accelerating electric adoption by “incentivising private purchases and lifting the number of electric vehicles in their own fleets”.
“Many jurisdictions around the world have introduced clean vehicle policies to support the benefits that come from electrification, and NSW should be no exception,” she said.
Should the opposition’s plan be adopted, it would bring have New South Wales following in the footsteps of the ACT, which earlier this year announced plans to lease only electric vehicles by 2021.
It will also allow zero-emissions vehicles to drive in transit lanes until 2023, and will require all multi-unit or mixed-use developments to have EV charge infrastructure.
“Zero emissions vehicles cause less air and noise pollution, have lower running costs, don’t incur stamp duty and receive a 20 per cent discount on registration fees,” said Meegan Fitzharris, minister for transport and city services, when the plan was announced in April.
“By 2020 the ACT will be powered by 100% renewable electricity meaning our biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions – at over 60% – will come from transport.”
MORE: Electric vehicle coverage
MORE: New South Wales coverage
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