The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has welcomed the release of the Northern Territory’s EV strategy.

FCAI chief executive Tony Weber says the initial view of the EV package is that it’s a simple, pragmatic way to promote the expansion of EVs across the NT: “We commend the Government for this and look forward to working with them to expand plans to enhance the uptake of low emission vehicles into the future.”

Focusing on battery EVs and plug-in hybrids, the strategy and plan aims to support the uptake of EVs in the NT and will be carried out over the next five years.

Key actions include reduced registration and stamp duty fees for EVs from-mid 2022, 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 and increasing the number of EVs in the NT Government fleet.

The FCAI is pleased that many elements of the strategy, including a reduction in stamp duty, align with the long-held views of automotive manufacturers.

“For some time, the industry has been highlighting just how inefficient stamp duty and other taxes are. We are pleased to see this as a potential first step in the Northern Territory adopting a broad-based road user charge (RUC) scheme which could eliminate a myriad of inefficient taxes,” Tony explains.

He adds that the inclusion of an expansion in EV infrastructure within the proposed strategy was going to be critical in increasing the uptake of EV’s into the future.

“To see the Northern Territory Government including grants for EV infrastructure development as part of this strategy demonstrates a mature and long-term approach to increasing the number of electric vehicles on Australia’s roads.”