Delay is ‘pragmatic step’

The new-vehicle sector is pleased the government has delayed the rollout of the clean car discount from January 1 to April 1.

The Minister of Transport, Michael Wood, has also said rebates that started in July for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) will continue until March 31.

The decision to delay the full clean car discount programme has been welcomed by David Crawford, chief executive of the Motor Industry Association, who describes it as “a pragmatic step”. 

He told Autofile Online: “What is important is getting the legislation right because rushing it through would have led to poor legislation. 

“Industry now has extra time to scrutinise the bill and to argue our case for amendments – specifically around the targets for the [clean car] standard.”

The Land Transport (Clean Vehicles) Amendment Bill passed its first reading on September 21. It will establish the legislative framework for the government’s clean cars policies.

Current rebates on BEVs and PHEVs, which started on July 1, will continue until March 31. They only apply to new and used light vehicles registered here for the first time.

The discounts are $8,625 for new BEVs and $3,450 for used BEVs. The rates for PHEVs are $5,750 for new and $2,300 for used.

Vehicles priced $80,000-plus – including GST and on-roads – and those with less than three-star safety ratings are not eligible.