Labor pledges $500m to EV infrastructure

The Australian Labor Party (ALP) says that should it win next month’s federal election, it will contribute $500 million of taxpayer funds to roll out more electric-vehicle charging stations across the country.

If introduced, the Driving the Nation Fund would double the $250 million pledged to the Future Fuels Fund by the current coalition government.

In a press release issued yesterday, leader of the opposition, Anthony Albanese, asked Australians to imagine a future without petrol bills, and said a truly national EV charging network would facilitate broader acceptance of electrically powered vehicles.

Mr Albanese also says his party will implement an Electric Car Discount and drop import tariffs and fringe-benefit taxes for EVs, boosting the new car market and expanding the availability of used EVs.

He said the ALP would further invest in biofuel solutions, hydrogen filling stations on major freight routes, and the installation of EV charging stations at 150km intervals on major arterial roads.

“Fuel is putting family and business budgets under intense pressure and driving up the price of essentials, like groceries,” the ALP statement said.

“But under Scott Morrison, half of Australia’s remaining refineries have closed, and fuel resources are stored in the Gulf of Mexico. Scott Morrison has a short-term measure to get him past the election – a temporary change to the fuel excise that ends after Australians vote.

“But he has no plan for a future where Australian vehicles are powered by cheaper, cleaner energy, and where families and businesses are no longer exposed to global oil markets.

“Labor knows that, over time, electric and hydrogen vehicles can reduce running costs as well as emissions, and end Australia’s reliance on foreign oil.”

Mr Albanese said the Morrison government has delivered only 10 per cent of its $250 million Future Fuels Fund and says his party’s Driving the Nation Fund will see the Commonwealth coinvest in additional EV chargers as well as hydrogen and biofuel infrastructure.

As part of the proposed scheme, the ALP says people will be able to truly drive around Australia in an electric vehicle and that it would fill “gaps” in the existing national charging network.

It said that under the plan, it would be possible for Australians to drive an EV from Adelaide to Perth, Darwin to Broome and on to Perth, Broken Hill to Adelaide, Port Augusta to Darwin, and from Brisbane to Mount Isa and on to Tennant Creek.

In addition to expanding the EV charging network, the ALP said it would invest $80 million to deliver up to 16 hydrogen refuelling stations along Australia’s busiest freight routes.

“The Morrison Government claimed that electric vehicles would ‘end the weekend’ and that hydrogen was ‘snake oil’,” said Mr Albanese.

“Only a Labor Government I lead will deliver a truly national EV Charging Network and roll out Hydrogen Highways across the country. This will be the key to Driving the Nation.”

The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has welcomed the ALP’s commitment to investing in electric vehicle infrastructure saying the proposal would allow “every Australian to embrace the benefits of electric vehicles”.

EVC CEO Behyad Jafari said the proposed investment would send a “potent signal” to consumers and the broader electric-vehicle industry.

“Under Labor’s commitment you could be certain that no matter where you live or where you’re going you could get there in an EV,” said Mr Jafari.

“We know range anxiety remains a major impediment to Australians purchasing EVs. Although much of this anxiety is misplaced, building a modern network of charging infrastructure would send a strong signal that there’s nothing to fear.

“City drivers are flocking to EVs because the benefits are so clear and obvious. For regional drivers, hesitancy is stronger, but that’s why it’s excellent to see the NRMA committing to partnering with the federal government to roll out regional charging infrastructure and make EVs an option for all Australians.

“Despite some very unfortunate fear mongering and a general lack of ambition at the federal level in recent years, Australians are now wide awake to the myriad benefits of EVs.

“If they can see the Australian Government is in behind this shift, we will see a rapid acceleration of progress. The EVC congratulates the alternate government on this important commitment to Australia’s transport future.”