Policy Statements
For over 50 years, the AEVA has kept its finger on the pulse of electric transport. From battery developments to public policy, our association has provided informed opinion on matters, based on the best scientific evidence and our own experience.
In May 2023, AEVA drafted a discussion paper, setting out what is effectively a policy manifesto; identifying key issues around electric transport in Australia, and how best to advance full electrification of transport in the fairest, most impactful way possible. This document has served as a focal point for ongoing policy consultation with AEVA members and experts in their respective fields.
Following the establishment of a Policy Advocacy Working Group in early 2024, comprising of representatives from all eight state and territory AEVA branches, a series of revised and refined policy statements are being developed.
Related page: Submissions and Discussion Papers
2025 Federal election - Priority policy areas
The federal government is expected to call a general election some time early in 2025, and the AEVA plans to highlight five priority policy areas to accelerate transport electrification. The policy advocacy working group provided AEVA's board with the shortlist of key policy areas, guided in part by our member survey and from observations of energy and transport policy more broadly.
The key areas are:
- Upholding the integrity of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, ensuring the hard-fought gains to being cleaner vehicles into Australia are not lost through exemptions or weaker targets.
- Expanding public charging infrastructure, and enforcing service level agreements, ensuring access to reliable public chargers, fast or slow. Any EV big or small should have access to a charger.
- A plan to eventually replace fuel excise and the fuel tax credit scheme with a universal mass × distance road user charge, for a more cost-reflective and fairer road funding system.
- Streamlining the process of bringing different makes and models of electric cars and motorcycles into Australia, ensuring a robust affordable EV market.
- Investing in electric heavy haulage, allowing our bulk goods and freight to be moved on electricity. Investing in electric rail, intermodal facilities and multi-megawatt truck charging infrastructure is essential for achieving zero-emission transport.
In addition to these priority areas, the following areas are part of our 'watching brief'. Discourse around these areas often leads to the spreading of misinformation, myths and misconceptions, so AEVA will be on the front foot when addressing:
- Chinese EVs and connected vehicles. A certain narrative around these high quality, affordable passenger EVs presents them as a security risk. EV technology is no more a security risk than any connected consumer device.
- EV charging as a fire risk. A common myth is that EVs on charge present a fire hazard, despite unequivocal evidence they are actually an order of magnitude less likely to be involved in a fire. This misinformation is leading to body corporates banning the parking or charging of EVs in, or near some buildings.
A members-only webinar will be held on January 23rd ahead of the election campaign.
A summary document can be found here.
Policy Areas
Electric bicycles and micro-mobility