The Northern Territory Government has revealed an Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy and Implementation Plan ─ to help combat climate risk and create economic and business opportunities.
Focusing on battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, the Strategy and Implementation Plan will support the uptake of EVs in the NT, with electric vehicles reducing vehicle running costs for both Territorians and Territory businesses.
NT Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics and Renewables and Energy, Eva Lawler, said, “Actions in the Implementation Plan have been directly influenced by feedback from the community, including 79 per cent of respondents supporting the NT Government encouraging EV use and 77 per cent agreeing that now is the right time to encourage EV use.”
The EV Strategy includes a range of actions for implementation over the next five years.
Key actions include:
- Reduced registration and stamp duty fees for Electric Vehicles
- Developing a grant program for home, workplace and public EV chargers
- Facilitating the installation of more EV charging stations
- Supporting local innovation in EV technology
- Skills development for EV servicing and EV charging infrastructure installation
- Promoting information on EV charging locations
- Increasing the number of EVs in the NT Government Fleet
The Strategy also focuses on passenger and light commercial vehicles, as these are most likely to be the areas with the greatest growth in the near future.
The NT Government is working with other jurisdictions and the Federal Government to coordinate Australia’s transition to low and zero emission vehicles, with the release of the EV Strategy and Implementation Plan setting out a clear direction for the NT.
“Feedback indicated there is significant support for the NT Government installing EV chargers, as well as setting targets for the NT Government Fleet,” Ms Lawler said.
Investing in Electric Vehicles and providing the necessary infrastructure is in line with the Northern Territory Government’s Roadmap to Renewables, the Climate Change Response and Action Plan and the Digital Territory Strategy.
“Implementation of this electric vehicle policy confirms our Government’s actions on addressing climate risk to transition to a low-carbon economy. Responding to climate change will not only help us protect our environment, but will support this new industry and the jobs that come with it,” Ms Lawler said.
To view the Electric Vehicle Strategy and Implementation Plan, click here.
