Media Release
Biden commits to electric vehicle fleet. Will the Andrew's Government do the same?
It was great to see President Biden commit to transition the entire US federal fleet with electric vehicles. Similarly, it was fantastic to see Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern transiting the New Zealand government fleet to electric vehicles.
With the United Kingdom, France and Germany committing to similar policies such as subsidies and tax breaks, Victoria risks falling further behind. The Andrew's Government needs to act sooner rather than later. They need to become leaders in the policy area rather than applying tax disincentives.
The proposal for a new tax on electric vehicles, which make up less than 1% of cars on our roads, shows just how far behind Victoria is in reducing our carbon emissions. The new tax will charge electric and other zero-emission vehicles charged up to 2.5 cents per kilometre travelled.
Barton condemns the Labor government for this backward stance on electric vehicles.
With so many countries, making clear the importance of electric vehicles and introducing policies that incentivise further uptake.
It is time that Premier Daniel Andrews commits to replacing Victorian government fleet with electric vehicles through renewal of the fleet, starting in 2022.
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Metropolitan and the Leader of the Transport Matters Party Rod Barton MP:
"It's time to transition to electric vehicles to reduce our carbon emissions".
"Electric vehicles are the common-sense solution to carbon emissions. This technology imposes fewer costs to society, yet the government chooses to tax it rather than adopt it."
