26 February 2021

Government to spark second-hand EV, charging infrastructure take-up

| Ian Bushnell
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Shane Rattenbury electric vehicle. Photo: supplied.

The ACT Government’s Sustainable Household Scheme will expand to help Canberrans buy second-hand electric vehicles and home EV charging infrastructure.

This expansion to the $150 million scheme will make interest free loans of up to $15,000 available to households to purchase solar panels, batteries, efficient electric appliances and zero-emission vehicles.

The government says adding home EV charging infrastructure and second-hand EVs to the scheme will encourage more Canberrans to consider buying a zero-emissions vehicle – including second-hand vehicles.

New owners of second-hand electric vehicles in the ACT will also save on their registration costs, with no fee for the vehicle registration component for second-hand EVs purchased in the Territory for two years.

The government already offers two years of free registration to buyers of new EVs.

There will be a phased rollout of items able to be purchased via a loan from the Sustainable Household Scheme once the eligibility criteria for items are settled and providers registered.

Emissions Reduction Minister Shane Rattenbury said the new additions focused on helping Canberrans try new, sustainable transport options and making them more affordable.

“Including second-hand electric vehicles helps ensure it’s not just people who can afford a brand new car who benefit from government incentives. It’s an important equity issue, and it helps bring the cheaper running costs of EVs to more people, as well as improving air quality for everyone,” he said.

“The infrastructure you need to charge an EV at home can put people off getting their own EV, so we’re pleased to be making these upgrades eligible for interest-free loans, too.”

The ACT has set a target of net-zero emissions by 2045.

ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Climate Action Andrew Barr said more Canberrans should benefit from the Territory’s transition to a zero net emission future.

“The ACT Government will continue to do the heavy lifting in taking action on climate change by reducing emissions from our public transport fleet and investing in the Big Canberra Battery,” he said

To learn more about the Sustainable Households Scheme, go to actsmart.act.gov.au.

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Capital Retro1:15 pm 27 Feb 21

Home batteries generally are duds:

https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/battery-test-centre-reports/?utm_campaign=sq_news_weekly&utm_content=210223%20weekly%20newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=getresponse

Ratepayers should be spared from funding these because as soon as they clap out the user will stop paying back the loan.

Virtue signaling costs. (ratepayers mainly)

Interest free but still a loan. And who would want a second hand EV given their finite batteries? And yes I do own one.

Capital Retro3:49 pm 27 Feb 21

You can’t help bad luck OI L.

Capital Retro2:00 pm 26 Feb 21

If these EVs are so good why do they have to be subsidised?

Great way to ensure the prices of these things all rise very sharply once suppliers know there is an easy 15 grand in it for them.

However, this would create a signal for new suppliers to enter the market and undercut the original ones who are trying to gouge. Then the prices would drop again.

How do you figure that? A $15,000 interest free loan that doesn’t get repaid?

Capital Retro10:15 pm 26 Feb 21

But Mr Rattenbury will be personally guaranteeing every loan, won’t he?

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