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Government should back Holden electric vehicles: Bandt

Media Release
 Adam Bandt 2 Oct 2012
Climate Emergency
Energy

Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt has welcomed reports that GMH is considering plans to assemble up to 126 electric Holdens in Australia. Mr Bandt has called on the government to back the plan and make a real commitment to electric vehicles in Australia.

Mr Bandt says the government should back the GMH consortium plan and also put in place other measures, such as procurement of electric vehicles for the government fleet.

 "The Australian car industry is stalled and going backwards. Electric vehicles are the way to secure its future" Mr Bandt said.

"We are making the same or fewer cars now then we did in the 60s. Something has got change if the industry is to survive."

"The world is moving to electric mobility. The government needs to help the industry to get ahead of the game and shift gears to electric cars."

"The next steps in the consortium's work on a large electric vehicle deserves government support. "

"The government should also put in place electric car targets for the government fleet."

Greens Electric Car Industry Policy

  • The Greens will continue to support co-investment in the car industry assistance, but future automotive industry assistance must be conditional on the adoption of goals and milestones for electric vehicle development and manufacture;
  • Allocate at least $75 million in annual assistance earmarked for EVs to such a fund for the roll out of electric vehicle infrastructure in all capital cities;
  • Immediately place on the Council of Australian Government's agenda the development of a policy framework for EV including:
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      • implementation of consumer incentives for electric vehicle ownership including, registration rebates or cash-backs, tax credits as well as significant targets for government fleets;
      • putting in place a regulatory environment that supports electric vehicles such as regulation of deployment and the setting of competition and policy standards;
      • maximising energy opportunities through appropriate regulation, such as requiring "smart" charging sourced through renewable energy;
      • industry policy that develops the electric vehicle sector in Australia, such as battery manufacturer and servicing, engineering and manufacturing of vehicles or parts in Australia.
  • The Prime Minister and the government, like and US and Germany, should commit to a near term target for the take up of electric vehicles in Australia.

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