ACT electric vehicle buyers get two years free rego
The Australian Capital Territory has announced any new or used electric cars bought and registered in the territory from this week will receive two years of free registration.
While it’s a welcome incentive to boost EV uptake in the ACT, those who already own and register a zero emissions vehicle are not eligible for the two free years. Early EV adopters are instead stuck with their “20 per cent ongoing reduction in registration fees.” Harsh.
In bad news for plug-in hybrid owners too, only vehicles that have an electric motor powered by electricity alone or cars powered by a hydrogen fuel cell qualify.
The move is designed to reduce transport emissions in the ACT by better incentivising EV uptake, and the territory is certainly leading the way versus Australia’s others states and territories.
As an extra sweetener, interest-free loans of up to $15,000 will be available to eligible homeowners to invest in sustainable products, including new and used zero emissions vehicles and household charging infrastructure.
ACT leading Australia
The ACT has close to 1,000 registered EVs, while the ACT Government’s fleet of 140 zero emission vehicles (BEV and hydrogen FCEVs) is the largest in the country. Our research also showed the ACT had the largest amount of Tesla owners as a proportion of the population.
The free registration program, a result of the Labor-Greens governing agreement, applies to new or used zero emissions vehicles in the ACT purchased or acquired from 24 May 2021 and before 30 June 2024.
It also applies to second hand zero emissions vehicles imported in to Australia – grey imports – that meet the requirements, and also to internal combustion engine vehicles that have had an electric motor conversion.
Not for everyone
Zero emissions heavy vehicles (trucks over 4.5t, basically) and motorcycles (with two and three wheels) are not eligible, although the ACT Government says they will be considered in the future.
Only the registration component of the vehicle registration fees is waived – owners will still have to pay other relevant fees, such as annual insurance costs. In the ACT, zero emissions vehicles purchased for the first time are also eligible for a full stamp duty exemption.
To qualify, applicants must hold an ACT drivers license, the vehicle must not have been registered in their name prior to 24 May 2021 and the vehicle must be garaged at an address in the ACT.
Business or company applicants must have a physical premise within the ACT and the vehicle must be garaged within the ACT.
Those wanting to check their eligibility can do so on the ACT’s Access Canberra zero emissions vehicle registrations page.
