Queensland launches $3k Electric Vehicle subsidy – but Tesla Model 3 misses out

The Queensland Government has today announced it will be launching a $3,000 electric vehicle subsidy to boost EV uptake – but Australia’s most popular electric vehicle won’t qualify.

Set to launch from July 1, Queensland’s $3k EV subsidy joins a broader $10m push to build more charging infrastructure across the state, with new chargers to be joint public-private funded.

But while Sydney and Victoria have set their price caps (the maximum amount you can spend on an EV and still qualify for the subsidy) at $68,750 (NSW) and $69,000 (Victoria), Queensland’s $3k EV subsidy has opted for a $58,000 limit, meaning the cheapest Tesla Model 3 won’t qualify.

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The QLD Government instead says the “subsidies will apply to six models currently available in Queensland”, including the MG ZS EV, the Hyundai Ioniq, the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Nissan LEAF. Australia’s most popular EV – the Tesla Model 3, which currently starts at $63,900k – won’t qualify, and nor will the Polestar 2, the Kia EV6 or the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

“The skyrocketing price of petrol is putting enormous strain on household budgets,” says QLD Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk.

“I know there are plenty of Queenslanders out there who want to make the switch to electric. We all want to see reduced emissions and a cleaner environment. That’s why we are going to do what we can to make the cost of electric vehicles that little bit cheaper.”