The Electric Vehicle Council has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement on the Electric Car Discount, describing the outcome as a win for Australian families who will continue to have access to the full Discount for the majority of EVs for the next three years.

EVC Chief Executive Julie Delvecchio said the decision gives Australians a clear pathway to ditch petrol costs and the certainty to act now – with no changes taking effect until April 2027.

“This is good news for everyday Australians who are doing the sums on going electric,” Ms Delvecchio said.

“The Albanese Government and Minister Bowen have listened and shown they understand EVs are a cost-of-living measure. This decision means most electric cars in Australia will remain eligible for the Electric Car Discount, allowing people to save thousands on their annual fuel bills.

“This is especially important for outer suburban households – which are strongly represented in EV leasing uptake – where people drive more and spend more on fuel. Keeping EVs accessible means real savings where it matters most.”

Key changes

Under the updated settings:

• No changes will apply until 1 April 2027
• From April 2027:
  • EVs priced up to $75,000 will continue to receive the full FBT exemption
  • EVs priced between $75,000 and the fuel-efficient LCT threshold (currently ~$91,000) will receive a 25% FBT discount applied to the full vehicle value
• From April 2029:
  • All eligible EVs under the LCT threshold will receive a 25% FBT discount, with no current end date

Existing arrangements will be grandfathered, ensuring current EV drivers and leaseholders are unaffected.

Stability for households and industry

The EVC said the extended timeline will continue to support Australians facing cost-of-living pressures and provide financial sustainability for the incentive.

“Electric vehicles are increasingly a cost-of-living solution, saving households around $3,000 per year in fuel and maintenance,” Ms Delvecchio said.

“Crucially, most EVs on the market – including popular models from BYD, Tesla and Hyundai – will remain eligible for the full exemption until 2029.”

Supporting Australia’s 2035 targets

The Council said the Government’s decision reflects the importance of maintaining demand-side incentives to complement the National Vehicle Efficiency Standard which is bringing increased supply of affordable EVs to Australia.

These two policies are critical to hitting Australia’s target of five million EVs on the road by 2035, in line with advice from the Climate Change Authority.

“Today’s decision protects our progress toward the 2035 target and keeps it ambitious but within reach,” Ms Delvecchio said.

“From our perspective, the priority is simple – keep policy stable, scale charging infrastructure, and remove barriers so more Australians can switch.”

The Council will continue to work closely with the government to monitor EV uptake and ensure policy settings evolve in step with the market.

The post Powering Savings: Electric Car Discount to Continue for Everyday Aussies first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

Electric vehicles reached 22.9% of new car sales in March 2026 — the highest on record — as more Australians chose EVs for long weekend travel, supported by lower running costs.

EVC and publicly recorded data showed that 24,054 (15,839 BEVs and 8,215 PHEVs) sold in March, with EV sales  growing 69.6% year to date compared to 2025.  

“The overall car market tightened by 3% in March but EVs bucked the trend, hitting 22.9% market share. We’ve just crossed half a million EVs on Australian roads,” said CEO of the Electric Vehicle Council, Julie Delvecchio. 

“This growth is being driven by two things – soaring petrol prices stinging household budgets, and the Electric Car Discount — which has put EVs within reach for more than 100,000 Australians.

“One is a crisis. The other is a government policy that’s working. But a fuel crisis is not a long-term strategy. The Electric Car Discount needs to stay — so the next wave of buyers can do what over half a million Australians already have, and save $3,000 a year by switching.”

The record sales coincide with a surge in public charging demand over the Easter long weekend, as more Australians than ever hit the road in electric vehicles.

“This Easter was one of the biggest tests yet for Australia’s public charging network,” said Ms Delvecchio.

“The surge wasn’t unexpected given the current fuel crisis, but it provides a clear sign of what lies ahead as more Australians make the switch to electric vehicles.

“Peak holiday travel will always be the most challenging time for any transport system. While some locations experienced congestion during peak travel periods, overall charging held up for most EV drivers.”

The NRMA reported strong performance across its charging network during the holiday period.

“The NRMA network performed strongly over the Easter weekend, even under record utilisation with total energy delivered increased by 100% year on year.” said an NRMA spokesperson.

In Adelaide, the RAA Charge network also reported a doubling of session times over the holiday weekend when compared to last year.

“We were prepared for this level of EV growth and are glad to see the network could handle the increased interest,” said an RAA Spokesperson. 

To meet the growing demand, the EVC is calling for a single national charging plan to guide rollout of infrastructure for both passenger vehicles and freight through to 2035 in line with Australia’s net-zero targets.

“We need a roadmap that supports passenger vehicles and freight, gives industry certainty, and ensures Australia is ready for the next decade of transport electrification,” Delvecchio said.

Media contact:

Todd Hayward: media@evc.org.au; 0412 205 151

The post EV sales hit all time high,  drivers hit the road for the Easter long weekend  first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

Electric vehicles reached 22.9% of new car sales in March 2026 — the highest on record — as more Australians chose EVs for long weekend travel, supported by lower running costs.

EVC and publicly recorded data showed that 24,054 (15,839 BEVs and 8,215 PHEVs) sold in March, with EV sales  growing 69.6% year to date compared to 2025.  

“The overall car market tightened by 3% in March but EVs bucked the trend, hitting 22.9% market share. We’ve just crossed half a million EVs on Australian roads,” said CEO of the Electric Vehicle Council, Julie Delvecchio. 

“This growth is being driven by two things – soaring petrol prices stinging household budgets, and the Electric Car Discount — which has put EVs within reach for more than 100,000 Australians.

“One is a crisis. The other is a government policy that’s working. But a fuel crisis is not a long-term strategy. The Electric Car Discount needs to stay — so the next wave of buyers can do what over half a million Australians already have, and save $3,000 a year by switching.”

The record sales coincide with a surge in public charging demand over the Easter long weekend, as more Australians than ever hit the road in electric vehicles.

“This Easter was one of the biggest tests yet for Australia’s public charging network,” said Ms Delvecchio.

“The surge wasn’t unexpected given the current fuel crisis, but it provides a clear sign of what lies ahead as more Australians make the switch to electric vehicles.

“Peak holiday travel will always be the most challenging time for any transport system. While some locations experienced congestion during peak travel periods, overall charging held up for most EV drivers.”

The NRMA reported strong performance across its charging network during the holiday period.

“The NRMA network performed strongly over the Easter weekend, even under record utilisation with total energy delivered increased by 100% year on year.” said an NRMA spokesperson.

In Adelaide, the RAA Charge network also reported a doubling of session times over the holiday weekend when compared to last year.

“We were prepared for this level of EV growth and are glad to see the network could handle the increased interest,” said an RAA Spokesperson. 

To meet the growing demand, the EVC is calling for a single national charging plan to guide rollout of infrastructure for both passenger vehicles and freight through to 2035 in line with Australia’s net-zero targets.

“We need a roadmap that supports passenger vehicles and freight, gives industry certainty, and ensures Australia is ready for the next decade of transport electrification,” Delvecchio said.

Media contact:

Todd Hayward: media@evc.org.au; 0412 205 151

The post EV sales hit all time high,  drivers hit the road for the Easter long weekend  first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

 “The NSW fuel crisis has driven unprecedented interest in electric vehicles — but interest alone doesn’t put people behind the wheel. What matters now is removing the barriers between wanting to switch and actually making the switch,” EVC CEO Julie Delvecchio said.

“Every barrier removed gives Australians an exit ramp off high fuel prices while strengthening our fuel security. And the case is clear — EVs are cheaper to run, reduce exposure to global oil shocks, and deliver cleaner, quieter communities for everyone.”

Read the full media release and EVC comments: https://bit.ly/4t8sWHk

The post EVC joins release of NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy to Cut Costs and Boost Fuel Security first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

Families in Australia’s outer suburbs are turning to electric vehicles as petrol prices surge, but face new taxes on driving electric under plans by the Federal and NSW Governments, that would cut across their promise not to discourage EV uptake.

In September 2025, the Federal and State Treasurers pledged that reforms to road user charging “should be designed to not deter the continued take-up of electric vehicles.”

The Minns Government is set to begin taxing EVs 3c/km, potentially from next year, and the Albanese Government is actively planning its own tax. Twenty eight percent of Australian drivers who are likely to buy an electric vehicle would be dissuaded by these proposed road user charges, according to new behavioural research by Professor Simon Jackman, Honorary Professor at Sydney University.

“It’s clear that drivers aged 30-55, and those in outer suburbs and regions would be most discouraged from EV purchase intentions after being informed of the Road User Charge they would pay, ” said researcher, Professor Simon Jackman. “Older drivers and those in wealthier, more professional postcodes are the least affected.“

The behavioural research of 3,613 Australian drivers identifies that working families aged 30 to 55 living in the outer suburbs are the most interested in buying EVs, but also those most deterred by a road user charge. These families drive further than average, have longer commutes, are under-serviced by public transport. They are motivated primarily by fuel savings, and are driving the growth of EVs in Australia.

Just as Australians are struggling with higher fossil fuel prices as a result of the Iran War, the average driver would be hit with $353 a year in new taxes for driving an EV. Energy Minister Chris Bowen’s electorate is home to suburbs most turned off EV purchases by a road user charge.

In suburbs like Kemps Creek, 33% of likely EV buyers are discouraged. In Brisbane it’s Treasurer Jim Chalmers electorate that is most sensitive to the charge, Parkinson in the Treasurers electorate or Rankin similarly turned off.

Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio said: “Australians are turning to electric vehicles to escape rising petrol — but a new road user charge could hit drivers with around $353 a year in extra costs, wiping out the very savings driving this shift.”

“The nation’s Treasurers have pledged not to implement a road user charge that discourages EV uptake but this research finds that a charge like the one being proposed would do exactly that – turn off interest from people who stand to gain the most by driving electric.”

“We know cost is everything. One in three Australians say the upfront price is the biggest barrier to buying an EV — and right now the FBT exemption is what’s helping households get over that hurdle.”

“At the same time, 47 per cent of EV drivers say lower fuel costs are the main reason they switched— so introducing a per-kilometre tax directly undermines the biggest benefit.”

“This isn’t evenly felt. In outer suburban areas like Kemps Creek, around 33 per cent of potential EV buyers are deterred by a road user charge — compared to about 20 per cent in wealthier inner-city areas.”

“EV drivers travel about 60 per cent further each week than petrol drivers— so adding a per kilometre charge hits the very people using EVs as a cost-of-living solution.”

“If the government removes the Electric Car Discount and adds a new tax on every kilometre, it’s a double hit — higher upfront costs and higher running costs — and that’s exactly what stops people switching.”

“We’ve seen what happens when policy gets this wrong. In New Zealand, EV sales dropped from 20.6 per cent of the market to just 3.8 per cent in months after incentives were cut and charges introduced.”⁴

“The Climate Change Authority is clear — Australia needs more than five million EVs on the road by 2035, which means around half of all new cars sold need to be electric.”⁵ “You don’t get there by making EVs more expensive to buy and run — especially for the working families in the suburbs who are driving uptake.”

Key findings

The research was conducted by Professor Simon Jackman using a nationally representative sample of 3,613 adult car owners, in December 2025. Each respondent was shown a personalised road user charge based on their actual driving at 3 cents per kilometre — the approximate trajectory of the NSW scheme. Purchase intention was measured before and after at an individual level.

The deterrent effect:

• 28% of all likely EV buyers are dissuaded after seeing their personalised road user charge
• 48% of “extremely likely” buyers downgrade their purchase intention • 34% of “somewhat likely” buyers are deterred

Who is most affected:

• Working families aged 30–55 — the most deterred age group.Over-60s are barely affected.
• Outer-suburban postcodes — ~30% of likely buyers deterred, vs ~20% in wealthy inner-urban areas.
• Blue-collar communities — significantly more deterred than high-professional postcodes.
• Most affected electorates: McMahon, Blaxland, Watson, Greenway, Werriwa,Fowler, Lindsay, Chifley (Sydney); Hotham, Gorton, Calwell, Holt (Melbourne); Rankin, Dickson, Forde (Brisbane).

Record EV sales at risk

These findings come as Australians are adopting EVs at record rates:

• Battery EV sales up 95.9% year-on-year in February 2026 (11,134 vs 5,684)
• Total EV sales up 60.9% in February (16,988 vs 10,555)
• Year-to-date EV market share at an all-time high of 16.8%, with BEVs at 10.5%
• February 2026 EV market share reached 18.6% — nearly one in five new cars sold was electric

The fuel security context

Australia imports 90 per cent of its liquid fuel and has lost 70 per cent of its refining capacity in the past 15 years. Last week, the government took the unprecedented step of releasing 760 million litres from the national fuel stockpile. Petrol prices have surged past $2.20 a litre, with analysts forecasting $3 while the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Every EV on the road is a vehicle that does not depend on imported petroleum.

Methodology

The behavioural research was conducted by Professor Simon Jackman using a nationally representative online panel of 3,613 Australian adult car owners (December 2025). Each respondent was shown a personalised RUC based on their self-reported driving at 3c/km. Purchase intention was measured before and after on a five-point scale. Individual-level transition matrices were used to calculate downgrade rates. Accumulated Local Effects (ALE) analysis from a boosted regression model identified demographic and geographic predictors of deterrence.
— ENDS —

Notes to editor Professor Simon Jackman and EVC CEO Julie Delvecchio are available for interview.
The full research report, data tables, and city-level deterrence maps (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth) can be provided on request. EV sales data sourced from FCAI VFACTS, February 2026. Climate Change Authority, 2035 Targets Advice (September 2025).

Media contacts: Todd Hayward, Electric Vehicle Council +61 412 205 151 – media@evc.org.au

The post Planned EV Taxes will Slash Uptake in Suburbs first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

Australia is facing a fuel crisis. We import nearly all the diesel that powers our freight network, roughly 36 billion litres of petroleum products each year, shipped through some of the most contested sea lanes in the world. We understand the Government’s decision to halve the fuel excise until June 30. It shows that you are listening to the many Australians who are hurting badly from soaring fuel costs.

Making petrol and diesel cheaper costs taxpayers $2.55 billion for just three months, yet it fails to solve our fuel dependence. It only treats the symptom while worsening our underlying vulnerability.

The electric truck, commercial, and freight industry presents a clear answer: the solution to our fuel challenge is proven, ready, and Australian. Read the Industry’s Open Letter to the PM and State Premiers

The opportunity now is to make a small number of smart decisions that set Australia up for long-term success — building onshore capability, strengthening energy security, and play to our natural advantage: low-cost renewable energy, abundant sunshine and an industry ready to put that energy to work moving goods.

From multi nationals to small business owners – we all want to see that if this happens again, Australia can weather the storm, powered by clean, green power.

Who We Are

As an island nation, our farmers are used to managing water and keeping supply chains moving in extreme conditions — distance, drought and fire. In the outback, no one else is coming so Australians get on with solving the hard problems before them. Self-reliance is a part of daily life.

Today, 1 in 3 Australian homes has rooftop solar. Households are generating their own power, storing it, and using it to drive. This is not new. It is who we are.

The next chapter is freight.

On 30 March 2026, the road freight industry came together in Canberra at the Freight Forward summit. Operators, manufacturers, charging providers, and energy companies — representing the full breadth of the sector — reached universal agreement on the path forward.

The ask is straightforward: turn a proven set of technologies into a national fuel security strategy that cuts costs for operators, reduces import dependence, and positions Australia as a leader in clean freight logistics.

This is not one voice asking for change. It is an entire industry — aligned, ready, and asking Australian governments to move with them.

The Economic Case

The numbers speak for themselves:

• An electric truck can displace up to 45,000 litres of diesel per year cutting fleet fuel costs by up to 70% and eliminating exposure to volatile global oil prices.

• At scale, 50,000 electric trucks on Australian roads, that is 2.25 billion litres of diesel no longer imported each year, worth almost $7 billion at current prices. That is money retained in the Australian economy, flowing to local energy generators and operators rather than offshore oil producers.

• A recent report by Mandala showed a policy suite of freight decarbonisation measures could accelerate Australia to 1.5 million battery electric trucks by 2050 and generate $138 billion in economic growth.

ARENA and CEFC-funded trials have demonstrated that electric freight vehicles perform reliably in Australian conditions. The technology is no longer being proved, it is ready to be deployed. What stands in the way is fragmented policy, inconsistent regulation, and the absence of a coordinated national plan.

Australia Is Falling Behind

Australia has approximately 1,000 electric trucks on the road today. To put that in perspective: in 2025, China sold over 231,000 new energy heavy-duty trucks, reaching a market penetration rate of 29%. In the European Union, nearly 13,000 electric trucks were sold in 2025 alone, a 70% increase on the prior year, with Germany leading the way at 4,766 units. Australia is not in the same race. Without a step-change in policy, we risk being left behind by every major freight economy in the world.

The same vehicles being deployed at scale in Europe and Asia are available for purchase in Australia today. What separates us from our competitors is policy. China has purchase subsidies, trade-in schemes, and standardised battery-swap infrastructure. Germany offers direct purchase grants and is rolling out high-power charging corridors along its major freight routes. Australia has fragmented state-level trials and no national incentive scheme.

This can be turned around quickly. Electric trucks are available from multiple manufacturers in Australia now. Retrofit kits can convert existing diesel prime movers in under a week. Depot charging infrastructure can be installed in months, not years. A national incentive scheme and harmonised road access rules could put significant numbers of electric trucks on Australian roads within the first year of operation. This is not a transition that needs a decade of preparation. The building blocks exist. What is missing is the coordinated policy signal to deploy them.

What We Are Asking For

We are asking the Federal Government to act on four priorities, and State and Territory Governments to act on three.

Federal Government

1. Launch a national electric truck incentive scheme. Reduce the upfront cost barrier that prevents small and medium fleet operators from making the switch. The scheme should be simple to apply for, fast to assess, and open to all vehicle classes. It should prioritise the heaviest vehicles that consume the most diesel.

2. Harmonise road access and mass limits for zero-emission vehicles. End the patchwork of inconsistent state-by-state regulations that limit where electric trucks can operate. A national framework should allow heavier zero-emission vehicles onto the road network on consistent terms, removing a barrier that currently fragments routes and adds cost.

3. Accelerate a coordinated rollout of heavy vehicle charging infrastructure. Australia needs a coordinated plan for heavy vehicle charging infrastructure covering urban freight hubs, key corridor nodes, and a depot retrofit program so fleet operators can electrify without being stranded by infrastructure gaps. The UK has just committed £1 billion to such an initiative; Australia needs a similar level of ambition.

4. Give the zero-emission freight sector a seat at the table on fuel security. Include representatives from the electric vehicle and freight industries in the development of the national fuel security plan from the outset, not as consultees after the fact, but as partners in design.

State and Territory Governments

1. Grant electric trucks permanent, consistent road access. Allowing heavier zero-emission vehicles onto the full road network (including state and local roads) would allow the current fleet to deliver more freight without using more diesel. Any state-based concessions should be nationally harmonised and extend to LGA-owned roads, where the heaviest electric trucks are currently banned.

2. Extend state incentives to all heavy vehicle classes. The vehicles consuming the most diesel are also the heaviest (e.g. 23 tonnes and over). It is critical that all electric trucks are eligible for state incentives, with the highest-impact classes prioritised first.

3. Reform curfews to enable overnight electric freight deliveries. Electric trucks are dramatically quieter than diesel. Allowing overnight deliveries for zero-emission vehicles would reduce diesel demand, ease daytime congestion, and improve amenity for communities near freight corridors – all while reducing diesel demand.

A Note on Timing: Road User Charges

We recognise the long-term need for a sustainable road funding model. However, imposing a road user charge on heavy zero-emission vehicles at this stage of the transition would directly undermine the economics of switching away from diesel. We ask they not take effect until the charging infrastructure and vehicle supply chains are mature enough to absorb them.

The Cost of Inaction

Without coordinated action now, Australia locks in diesel dependence for another generation of fleet purchasing decisions for a decade or more. At current consumption, that represents tens of billions of dollars flowing offshore to fuel imports, continued exposure to supply chain disruption, and higher costs passed through to every business and household in the country.

Subsidising fossil fuel consumption provides temporary relief but does not reduce our underlying vulnerability. Investing in the infrastructure and incentives to electrify freight does.

A Partnership Offer

This letter is not simply a list of requests. We are offering a partnership.

We propose a 30-day industry/government co-design process to develop the incentive scheme and charging roadmap, drawing on the operational expertise of fleet operators, vehicle manufacturers, charging providers, and energy companies who are already investing in this transition.

The technology is ready. The industry is ready. The economic and strategic case is clear. We are asking governments to match that readiness with coordinated national action.

Industry Voices:
 “As the largest EV charging infrastructure provider for road transport in Australia, we have seen firsthand how our customers have gone from pilots to business as usual with electric freight. All of our customers have proven that it can be done at scale, and that we can build the infrastructure to match. We can invest a lot more into the industry, but we need clear signals that now is the time to scale.”
Tim Washington, CEO, JET Charge

“Volvo Group Australia is absolutely on hand to supply and support the deployment of electric trucks into the Australian market. Many of these could be built locally at our production facility in Wacol, QLD. However, to do so we urgently require the amendment of current axle weight limits to allow access to all roads, state and local, to heavy duty electric trucks without compromising on payload. With our extensive local electric truck experience, we are ready to work with urgency to support government and industry to deliver safe, homologated and proven solutions.” 
Martin Merrick, President & CEO, Volvo Group Australia

“Australia’s fuel crisis shows why long‑term resilience can’t depend on imported diesel — and why forward‑looking companies must lead now, not later. IKEA has long recognised that zero‑emission freight would be essential for energy security, and we’ve invested early: moving from 5% to more than 80% electric truck deliveries in just four years, deploying 110 zero‑emission vehicles through our delivery partners, and investing over $4.5 million in dedicated charging infrastructure nationwide. We’ve proven that rapid transformation is possible — and now we’re calling for a national plan that enables every operator, large and small, to join Australia’s shift to cleaner, more secure freight.”
Mirja Viinanen, CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Australia

“Australia’s reliance on imported diesel is no longer just an economic issue —it’s a national resilience issue. At MyNu Energy, we see firsthand how exposed regional industries are to fuel price shocks and supply disruptions. Mobile battery and solar solutions allow businesses to generate and store their own power locally, reducing reliance on global fuel supply chains and strengthening energy security. We strongly support a coordinated national approach that accelerates the transition to clean, distributed energy across transport and infrastructure.”
John Myler, Co-Founder, MyNu Energy

“Kempower supports the call for a national approach to electrifying freight transport. As a leading global supplier of freight charging infrastructure, we stand ready to support Australia in this transition.”
Steve McLennan, Business Development Manager, Kempower

“Transport in Australia accounts for approximately 22% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions and will be the nation’s largest source of emissions by 2030. With road vehicles accounting for more than 85% of this, it is imperative that we accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles across the national fleet. Electrification of public transport, logistics and mining fleets is accelerating, assisted by new vehicle and charging technologies, leveraged by companies that walk the talk on their commitments to sustainability.”
Sean Stove, Division Manger Emobility, ABB Australia

“Fortescue backs the shift to electric vehicles across Australia. The faster we stop relying on imported fossil fuels, the stronger and cheaper our energy system will be. We’re already doing it in the Pilbara and seeing the benefits. Our electric excavators are saving about 1 million litres of diesel per unit a year, and by next year, we expect to save US$100 million in fossil fuel costs. As we electrify our heavy mining equipment, including our 240-tonne haul trucks, and build the renewable energy to power it, these savings will continue to grow. Capping diesel fuel tax credits for big miners will speed this up. It will push investment into electric equipment and bring the transition forward.”
Dino Otranto, Fortescue Metals & Operations CEO

“We’ve seen firsthand what electric freight can do. The pilots are over — now is the time to scale.” 
Ben Hutt, CEO, Janus Electric

“Australia’s fuel security depends on electrifying transport, but this only works if infrastructure can be deployed now, not in five years’ time. Battery-integrated, low-grid charging removes the biggest barrier to rollout and allows heavy vehicle electrification to move at the pace the market is demanding.”
Lisa Marsh, CEO, eLumina Global

“Foton Mobility Distribution supports an Australian strategy to transition the Australian truck fleet to zero emissions technology by firstly tackling the “last mile” fleet of light duty trucks of which some 15,000 diesel trucks are imported to Australia each year. Light duty Electric Trucks are ready to scale right now, and we support all government actions to enable this zero-emission transition.”
Bill Gillespie, General Manager Light Duty Vehicles, Foton Mobility Distribution

“In 2019, All Purpose Transport became the first transport company in Queensland to introduce an electric truck for big and bulky home deliveries in Brisbane. In 2026, that single vehicle has grown into a fleet of more than 40 owner-operated EVs completing over 2,200 home furniture deliveries each week – all untouched by the latest fuel shock. Combined with our investment in depot charging infrastructure, this proves the EV model works commercially, operationally and at scale for last-mile delivery.”
Paul Kahlert, CEO, All Purpose Transport

“Australia’s fuel vulnerability is a strategic risk we can solve. Electrifying freight shifts us from imported diesel to Australian energy, strengthening resilience while reducing costs for operators. With the right policy settings, Australia can rapidly scale electric freight and turn a vulnerability into a long-term economic advantage.”
Dan Bleakley, Co-CEO New Energy Transport

“SANY have seen firsthand what electric freight can do. The pilots are over — now is the time to scale.”
Stanley Choi, Senior Key Account Manager, SANY Group

“Solarh2e is very pleased to be able to actively contribute to the efforts taken by the EVC to push ahead with urgency on the issues addressed during the Canberra Summit. Our support for the electric truck transition is genuine and we have both the capacity and capability to deliver on what we said we are going to do.”
Richard Zee, CEO & Co-Founder, Solarh2e

“The evidence is clear: countries with coordinated national policy, incentives, and infrastructure lead in EV adoption. As fleet optimisation and EV transition specialists, we know that with aligned policy, procurement and infrastructure planning, Australia can electrify freight at scale, cut energy costs, reduce fuel risk, and start delivering real results now. The technology has arrived and the industry is ready to move at pace.”
Karen Whitehouse & Melvin Worth, Co-Founders, Fleetonomics

The post Open Letter to Australian Governments: Powering Australia’s Freight with Australian Energy first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

Tesla and Polestar sold a combined 7,725 vehicles in the first quarter of 2026, up from 5,549 in the same period in 2025.

In March 2026 alone, Polestar and Tesla sold a combined 3,645 new vehicles with March sales growing 21.1% year-on-year and up 6.6% from the previous month, February 2026.

EVC CEO Julie Delvecchio said interest in EVs was growing rapidly, as people look to save up to $3,000 per year in running costs.

Second-hand EV sales in March for Pickles were up 60% on February and EV searches on the Pickles website jumped 163% month‑on‑month.

New data from Pickles shows 82% of used EVs are selling under $50,000 – with 43% under $30,000. Commonwealth Bank reported their lending data saw a 161% lift in demand for EV finance since the start of March.

EVC CEO Julie Delvecchio said the numbers reflected a fundamental shift in how Australians think about EVs.

“With fuel prices rising, every EV on the road is doing something simple but powerful – taking pressure off fuel supply for the people who need it most.” 

“EV drivers are driving the country’s fuel resilience while cutting costs on their household budget. This has never been more important than now, given the PM’s address urging people to use petrol and diesel responsibly and ‘save fuel for people who have no choice but to drive”. 

“Volatile global oil markets are changing the conversation. Australians aren’t asking whether EVs are the future anymore. They’re asking which one they can get their hands on, and when.”

Thom Drew, Tesla Country Director, Australia & New Zealand said more stock is on the way.

“The fuel crisis is pushing Australians to look for more certainty – both on energy and cost of living – and EVs are delivering exactly that.

“We’re seeing strong customer demand clear out local stock, so we’re ramping up Q2 supply, with more vehicles arriving over the coming weeks.”

Scott Maynard, Polestar Australia Managing Director said the market is changing.

“There is a clear sense of urgency from customers, which is driving strong order volumes. Interest in Polestar’s electric cars is surging in Australia. Test drive bookings have tripled in the last fortnight, and traffic to our showrooms is what we’d expect to see during a sale event. The vulnerable state of our nation’s fuel security has been exposed, and won’t magically improve when the current crisis ends.”

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Brand Director Nathan Johnson said operating costs are driving interest.

“We’re seeing steady growth in enquiries and conversion for electric Volkswagen passenger and commercial vehicles, with more businesses exploring how EVs can reduce operating costs in everyday use. While the transition is happening gradually, interest is clearly rising and our expanding electric lineup in Australia is designed to support customers as they take their first steps into e‑mobility.”

Hyundai’s Chief Operating Officer Gavin Donaldson said market conditions are driving uptake.

“Hyundai is seeing a clear increase in consumer interest in electric vehicles as Australians respond to rising petrol prices and heightened global fuel market uncertainty. These conditions are accelerating the shift toward EVs, which offer lower running costs, greater energy security and reduced exposure to international supply shocks.” 

Audi Australia’s Brand Director Jeff Mannering, said knowledge of EVs is improving.

“What we’re seeing now is a maturing BEV and PHEV market where customers arrive with a better understanding of the technology, charging and real‑world range. That shift in confidence is accelerating demand for our electric and plug-in hybrid models, and we are experiencing momentum for these models online and in showrooms.”

Julie Delvecchio said now was not the time to change policy settings to make EVs more expensive.

“The Electric Car Discount, currently under review, is making EVs more available than ever before. Removing or scaling it back risks depriving Australians of $3,000 a year in savings on fuel and maintenance costs. With the cost-of-living front of mind for every Australian family, those savings couldn’t be more timely.”

“What we’re seeing is a tipping point. The fuel crisis hasn’t created interest in EVs – it’s accelerated a shift that was already underway. Our website saw almost 100,000 page views in the past month, up 71%, with 97% of visitors new to our site. The most visited page? ‘EVs available in Australia.’ Australians are ready – the industry needs to meet them there.”

The post Tesla and Polestar Sales Surge as EV Demand Grows Amidst International Fuel Crisis first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

The post Seize the moment to accelerate electrification of Australian economy first appeared on Electric Vehicle Council.

When asked about opposition calls to cut EV support, the Prime Minister was clear:

“They’ve called for cuts to EV support. I don’t think there’s anyone out there today who has bought an electric vehicle who’s regretting the decision at this point in time.”

The Prime Minister added: “My Government has always been strong on cost of living measures. We’ll continue to do so…”

Julie Delvecchio, CEO of the Electric Vehicle Council, welcomed the Prime Minister’s position on electric vehicle support.

“On Friday, the Prime Minister said it plainly and we’re glad he did – support for EVs is a cost of living policy and he defended EV support.”

“We welcome that defence. Measures like the Electric Car Discount are practical, proven tools that put cleaner, cheaper transport within reach of ordinary Australians.”

“EVs aren’t a climate luxury — they’re a cost of living measure. The Prime Minister said so today, and we agree.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen has echoed the sentiment, stating: “We don’t think you make petrol cheaper by making electricity more expensive.”

“The EVC agrees with Minister Bowen.  The cheapest fuel is the one you never have to buy at a servo,” said Ms Delvecchio.

“Switching to an electric vehicle is saving households up to $3,000 per year in fuel and protecting them from volatile fuel prices.”

The Council warned that any move to cut the Electric Car Discount would increase pressure on household budgets at a time when Australians are already facing cost of living challenges.

Ms Delvecchio said that “scrapping or weakening the Discount would make it harder for everyday Australians to access these savings and would lock more families into higher fuel costs.”

Beyond household benefits, the EVC emphasised the role EV uptake is playing in strengthening Australia’s fuel security.

Ms Delvecchio said “every electric vehicle on the road reduces Australia’s reliance on imported petrol and diesel. That’s good for drivers and it’s good for the country.”

“As global fuel markets remain uncertain, policies like the Electric Car Discount are helping insulate Australians from international price shocks while keeping more money in local economies.”

The EVC called on all members of Parliament to support the continued success of the policy.

“This is a practical, popular reform that is delivering real benefits right now.”

“We urge policymakers to retain the Electric Car Discount so more Australians can lower their transport costs and Australia can continue strengthening its fuel independence.”

ENDS

Media contact: Todd Hayward: +61 412 205 151 – media@evc.org.au

About Us: The Electric Vehicle Council is the peak national body representing the electric vehicle industry in Australia. Representing members from across the value chain of the electric vehicle sector, the EVC is a trusted advisor and advocate to governments and decision makers across Australia. Our mission is to drive investment and awareness to accelerate the electrification of transport, for a more sustainable and prosperous Australia.

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