The states and territories that have ditched electric car incentives

Electric cars continue to be a growth market in Australia. According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), EV market share has grown from just 0.03 per cent of all new cars sold in 2013 to 7.22 per cent at the end of 2023.

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Compared to Europe and North America, Australia was late to the party when it came to offering rebates and incentives for buying a zero- or low-emission vehicle. Now, they’re early to scrap almost all of them.

There are very few state and territory incentives left when buying a zero-emissions vehicle in Australia. These are all of the electric car discounts that the government has scrapped in 2024.

Both electric and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles are exempt from the fringe benefits tax (FBT), but starting April 1, 2025, under new Australian Taxation Office (ATO) regulations, PHEVs will no longer be classified as “low-emissions vehicles” under the FBT exemption.

Your exemption will continue past April 1, 2025, if your vehicle was leased or purchased and eligible for the FBT exemption prior to the cut-off date, but it will not count if you take out a lease or purchase after that date.

EVs still benefit from the FBT exemption only if they sit under the luxury car tax threshold of $91,387.

In late 2021, the NSW Government announced it would waive stamp duty and offer a $3000 rebate on all new electric and hybrid vehicles. However, as of June 30, 2024, these incentives have now been scrapped.

This move was made by the NSW Government, which says it wants to inject more money into the EV charging and hybrid refuelling infrastructure.

Victoria had the $3000 rebate on EVs under $68,750 until mid-last year. The plan was to keep it until mid-2024, but it was scrapped early after the Victorian Government said it had laid the groundwork for 50 per cent of all light vehicle sales being zero emissions by 2023.

Victorians still get a small bonus of a $100 discount on their rego each year by driving a low- or zero-emissions vehicle.

Queensland was the most generous state when it came to EV rebates, but the state government dropped its incentive after just two years.

You could claim $6000 if you had a household income equal to or less than $180,000 per year and purchased an EV under $68,000 (including GST) on or after the 21st of April, 2023. You can also claim this rebate if you purchased an EV between March 16, 2022 and April 20, 2023, for under $58,000 (including GST).

Another $3000 rebate was available to those with a household income of more than $180,000 or more on EVs under $68,000 (including GST) on or after April 21, 2023, or under $58,000 (including GST) between March 16, 2022 and April 20, 2023.

Unfortunately, as of September 2, 2024, you can no longer apply for this rebate.

South Australia followed NSW and Victoria and ended its $3000 rebate on EVs under $68,750 on January 1, 2024.

However, current and future electric car buyers in SA can still claim a three-year registration fee exemption on zero-emissions cars under $68,750 (including GST) registered after October 28, 2021, until June 30, 2025.

The Australian Capital Territory did offer two years of free registration for EVs purchased before June 30, 2024, when the system was changed to be based on both emissions and weight.

ACT EV drivers still get a heavily discounted registration fee for EVs. If you purchased your zero-emissions vehicle between May 24, 2021 and June 30, 2024, you could still get two years of free registration.

The Tasmanian Government has allocated a total of 375 $2000 rebates for electric car owners who register their cars in Tasmania for the first time. While there is no end date to this rebate, it will run until all 375 payments are claimed.

As of September 19, 2024, there are only 21 rebates left to be claimed.

Head here for applications on the loan and rebate.

Western Australia has allocated 10,000 $3500 rebates on zero-emissions vehicles priced under $70,000 purchased between May 10, 2022 and May 10, 2025.

As of the 19th of September 2024, there are still 2160 rebates available to score an electric car discount.

Apply for your rebate here.

The Northern Territory currently waives stamp duty on EVs and plug-in hybrids priced under $50,000.

You also get free registration regardless of the age of the EV, including imports and vehicles converted to electric.