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SHASA backs the NSW Government's $490m Electric Vehicles Strategy

  • Writer: The Beagle
    The Beagle
  • Jun 21, 2021
  • 2 min read

Following months of campaigning for government support for electric vehicles (EVs), the Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance (SHASA) has welcomed a NSW Government $490m EV strategy.


President of SHASA, Kathryn Maxwell, said "SHASA has been working with shire residents and businesses to increase awareness of the benefits of EVs." "SHASA’s coordinator drives a Nissan LEAF EV, which is also available for Eurobodalla residents to test drive, with dozens of people taking up the opportunity. SHASA recently joined forces with the Nature Conservation Council of NSW to lobby the NSW Government for improved EV charging infrastructure on the South Coast and nearby towns such as Braidwood and a range of other measures to encourage uptake of EVs."


Measures of the $490m NSW Government strategy include:

  • A $3000 rebate for the first 25,000 new purchases of electric vehicles priced under $68,750, from 1 September 2021

  • Waiving stamp duty on electric vehicle purchased after 1 September 2021

  • Expenditure of $171m on new charging infrastructure, including $131m on ultra-fast vehicle chargers, $20m in grants for ‘destination chargers’ in regional areas, and $20m for charging infrastructure at public transport hubs on land owned by Transport for NSW.

  • More than $30m to be spent on upgrading the state government’s car fleet with electric vehicles, that are likely to be on-sold within five years, therefore kickstarting the second-hand market.

  • Ensuring households with limited off-street parking would be no more than 5km from an EV charger, and EV chargers would be installed at 100km intervals along major highways and at 5km intervals on major roads in Sydney

  • Electric vehicles will be able to use carpool lanes and there will be priority parking spots for EVs to recharge


SHASA President Kathryn Maxwell said “The South Coast of NSW is currently a black spot for EV chargers. We anticipate this package will result in the installation of EV chargers on the Kings Highway (Braidwood, Bungendore) and the Princes Highway (Ulladulla, Milton, Moruya, Narooma, Cobargo). This will ensure that the region does not lose tourists who drive EVs and ensures locals with EVs can travel with ease to Canberra and Sydney.”


Ms Maxwell added “SHASA would like to thank the Transport Minister Andrew Constance and Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean for their hard work to secure this package of measures, which will make it easier for people to make their next new car an EV and help NSW achieve net zero emissions by 2050. EVs mean less pollution and less noise, a win for the climate, for our health and for our lifestyle.


“SHASA will continue to work with Eurobodalla Shire Council, local businesses and residents to increase awareness of the benefits of EVs, and to encourage greater uptake in the Shire.”


Above: Charging of the SHASA Nissan Leaf at the Batemans Bay NRMA fast EV charging station.



 
 

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