A prominent local electric vehicle [EV] owner has welcomed the state government's 'in principle' commitment to legislation promising savings on new electric vehicle purchases.
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The Electric Vehicles [Revenue Arrangements] Bill 2021 will enable purchasers of new EV's to claim rebates worth $3000 and refunds on stamp duty retrospectively from September 1 if the bill passes government.
Further deliberation on the bill has been delayed due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, but NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the government "remains fully committed to the Electric Vehicle Strategy and delivering on what we promised for this emerging industry."
Bathurst EV owner Lindsay Cox, who has been a prominent local advocate for the transport option over the years, has welcomed the proposed legislation, which he says provides further incentive to purchase a vehicle with replete long-term benefits.
"I don't think people are quite aware how cheap they [electric vehicles] are to run," Mr Cox said.
"Sure, they're expensive to buy initially, but the power you use costs around $3 per 100 kilometres and your brakes last a lot longer because the vehicle's regenerative factors take off much of the load."
"The only major costs post-purchase are tyres and windscreen wiper blades."
Mr Cox has owned his 2014 Nissan Leaf for nearly five years, where he has sometimes operated as a local Uber driver.
While receptive of the rise in interest of EV's, Mr Cox admits the automotive industry may be faced with a "completely new ballgame" in the years ahead.
"The maintenance factors are far less in EV's than their petrol-powered predecessors, which may have an impact on the future of automotive mechanics," he said.
"It'll be a major change for transport, and the costs people incur on the road."
NSW environment minister Matt Kean said the government's Electric Vehicle Strategy is fundamental to the state achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
"Our aim remains to increase EV sales to more than 50 per cent of new cars sold in NSW by 2030 and to be the vast majority of new cars sold by 2035," Mr Kean said.
If the bill passes, $3000 rebates will go toward the first 25,000 eligible EV's under $68,750, and stamp duty will be refunded for eligible EV's priced up to $78,000.
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