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Fuel tax increase to offset electric vehicle charging infrastructure for Australia: UPDATE


A new sustainability initiative will bring an increase in fuel taxes, used to offset charging costs for electric vehicles, the Australian Government has confirmed.


Under the scheme, an additional $0.15 per litre for passenger cars, $0.25 per litre for light commercials and $0.40 per litre for trucks will be charged at every fill.

The extra revenue, targeted at raising $10 million per annum, will be poured into subsidies for electric vehicle charging fees, and the funding of public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

Given most electric cars are privately owned, these benefits will apply directly to owners, offsetting domestic power bills and providing home-based chargers at private residences.

Spokesperson for community organisations benefitting from the scheme, Patricia van Loof, said: “This is a welcome package for those of us who have been early adopters of the technology and made the investment in electric vehicles.”

“For me personally, the rising cost of school fees for Cooper and Charlotte, and the increase in road tolls charged, just to drive to our own beach house, is putting our annual ski trip to Colorado at risk.”

“It’s great to see regular people helping out, and, when I hop into my fully charged electric car each morning, knowing that it hasn’t cost me a cent, life just feels that little bit fairer.”

The scheme applies to owners of vehicles which have the ability to measure outputs in Joules, Ohms, or Kinetic Energy.

At the pump, drivers of passenger cars, will pay approximately 11 per cent more for their fuel.

A 70-litre fill at $1.41 per litre, will currently cost $99, but rise to $109 under the new program.

What do you think of the new scheme?

Is this enough for you to consider the purchase of an electric vehicle?


UPDATE:

It looks like Cooper and Charlotte will miss out on their trip to Aspen after all.
Although, the way things are heading, this might make actual news before the year is out.

In the meantime, happy April Fools everyone.

James Ward

With over 20 years of experience in digital publishing, James Ward has worked within the automotive landscape since 2007 and brings experience from the publishing, manufacturer and lifestyle side of the industry together to spearhead Drive's multi-media content direction.

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