Electric cars Australia: Victoria revealed as having worse policies in the world

A scathing report has revealed Victoria had one of the world’s worst electric car policies, despite the state recently boasting the highest sales in the country.

Melbourne’s affluent inner east boasts the largest number of electric vehicles in the state, according to new analysis from Australia’s peak motoring body.

Victoria had the highest electric vehicle sales nationwide in the June quarter, with almost one in 10 cars sold having a fully electric battery.

This is despite a scathing report this month revealing the state had one of the world’s worst EV policies.

The local government area of Boroondara – which includes Kew, Camberwell and Hawthorn – had the highest number of EV registrations, 1243, in January.

This also puts it in the fifth spot nationwide, with Brisbane coming in at number one.

Monash was ranked second highest for EV registrations in Victoria, followed by Wyndham, Casey and Whitehorse.

A Tesla electric car is charged at a charging station. Picutre: Ina Fassbender

The Australian Automotive Association (AAA) analysis of Victoria’s more than 19,200 EV registrations shows the stark disparity between rich and poor areas, as well as regional and metropolitan.

In Victoria’s southwest, uptake in the Glenelg – which includes Portland – has more than tripled in the past year from three to 14 vehicles.

The local government areas with the lowest registrations were in rural and regional parts of the state including West Wimmera and Swan Hill.

RACV spokesman Greg Edye said the motoring body supported a range of measures and incentives to accelerate the uptake of zero and low emission vehicles that delivered improved affordability and consumer choice.

A key part people changing from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles involves charging infrastructure.

“RACV has invested in electric vehicle charging companies JET Charge and Chargefox, to support their growth across Australia, including in Victoria,” Mr Edye said.

However, an Electric Vehicle Council report found that while buyers in other jurisdictions were offered incentives to purchase an EV, those in Victoria were $1112 worse off – making it the only state or territory with a financial disincentive.

Energy MP Chris Bowen has committed to introducing fuel efficiency standards. Picture: Martin Ollman

Analysis of the top five hybrid vehicle registrations reveals Casey had the highest number in the state at more than 4660.

This was followed by Wyndham, Melbourne, Hume and Monash.

The AAA’s latest EV index shows that motorists in the ACT are leading the uptake with one in five car sales an electric vehicle.

Victoria had the largest number of sales at 7875, leading NSW at 7745 vehicles sold, according to figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

The federal government is developing a national battery strategy, with Industry Minister Ed Husic in Indonesia last month to advance a deal to work together on manufacturing EV batteries.