Plenty of states and territories in Australia offer rebates and discounts for electric car buyers. Here’s how to apply for an electric car discount or rebate depending on where you live.
Australians may have been late to the party, but are now wasting no time in responding to a host of new electric vehicle options, financial incentives, and an Australian government that is open to implementing fuel-efficiency standards.
To encourage the uptake of electric cars, most state and territory governments across the country have offered rebates and subsidies to buyers for at least the last 12 months.
Late last year, the Federal Government also weighed in with a Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for businesses that lease either battery electric vehicles (BEVs) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) priced below the luxury car tax threshold.
That threshold has been increased to $89,332 for fuel-efficient vehicles (which includes all EVs) for the 2023–24 financial year.
It is a dynamic environment with frequent adjustments but, for now at least, here are the financial incentives available on electric cars in each state and territory in Australia.
New South Wales announced an ambitious EV policy in June 2021 with the aim of having zero-emissions vehicles comprising at least 50 per cent of all cars in the state by 2030.
NSW offers a $3000 rebate for battery-electric and fuel-cell electric vehicles priced up to $68,750 (including GST). The rebate is open to the first 25,000 vehicles to apply and you can apply for yours here.
PHEVs and used EVs are not eligible for the rebate.
There is also a stamp duty exemption in NSW for eligible EVs up to $78,000 (incl. GST), which is excluded from the tax invoice on purchase.
Check out the NSW Government’s electric vehicle knowledge hub here if you need more detail.
Well, if you didn’t apply for your $3000 electric vehicle rebate from the Victorian Government before June 30, 2023, it’s too late. For now, at least.
The Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Subsidy that opened to the first 20,000 electric vehicles in May 2021 was shut down abruptly at the end of June with 9000 rebates delivered.
The Victorian Government says the subsidies have “laid the groundwork” to achieve 50 per cent electric vehicle sales by 2030, but experts believe Victoria’s move is premature.
EVs do still avoid the Victorian luxury car tax duty with savings starting at $1000 on a car that costs $100,000.
The sunshine state has the most generous electric vehicle rebate.
Households with a gross income of $180,000 or less get a $6000 rebate for eligible EVs up to $68,000 (excluding dealer delivery fees) with a $3000 rebate available to households exceeding the $180,000 gross income threshold.
EVs and hybrids also pay lower stamp duty than vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE). EVs up to $100,000 pay two per cent, compared to three per cent for ICE vehicles up to $100,000, while EVs over $100,000 pay four per cent compared to six per cent for ICE vehicles of the same price point.
Vehicles must be purchased through a licensed motor vehicle dealer and your application for the rebate can be made here.
EV buyers in South Australia can access a $3000 rebate on eligible EVs up to $68,750, plus free registration for that vehicle for the first three years.
As of 30 June 2023, there were still 5900 EV subsidies remaining of the 7000 proposed in October 2021.
You can apply for the rebate through the SA Government’s EV subsidy portal.
WA offers a $3500 rebate on eligible zero-emissions vehicles priced below $70,000.
The rebate is available for the first 10,000 vehicles or until May 10, 2025, whichever comes first. You can apply for the rebate here.
In the ACT, buyers of new and demonstrator EVs can receive an uncapped stamp duty exemption and two years’ free registration.
From 1 July 2023, the stamp duty waiver also extends to second-hand PHEVs and HEVs with tailpipe emissions of no more than 130g/km of CO2.
EVs purchased before 24 May 2021 are eligible for a 20 per cent reduction in registration fees.
To be eligible for any of these exemptions, you must hold an ACT driver’s licence and garage your vehicle in the ACT.
You can access more information and apply for an exemption here.
Under the ACT’s Sustainable Household Scheme, EV buyers can apply for interest-free loans of up to $15,000 to purchase a new or used electric vehicle or household zero-emissions charging infrastructure.
There are no rebates for buying electric vehicles in Tasmania, but there is an uncapped stamp duty exemption for new and demonstrator electric vehicles.
The NT’s EV purchase financial incentives come in the form of free registration from July 2022 until July 2027.
There is also a $1500 stamp duty discount on eligible vehicles up to $50,000 for that same period.
Further information on the NT discount can be viewed here.