Electric vehicle uptake climbs in the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory’s slow transition to electric vehicles is picking up pace. More EVs have been registered as we reveal the most popular type of car in the Top End.

Territorians are jumping on the electric vehicle bandwagon, with purchases almost doubling from a low base in 2021.

Figures supplied by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics show there are currently 130 electric vehicles registered in the Northern Territory, including 45 of the famous Tesla marque.

This is an increase from 60 electric vehicles in 2021.

With some EVs priced as low as $45,000, emission-free vehicles are becoming increasingly affordable.

Tesla, which makes up just over a third of all EVs on Territory roads, begins retailing around $75,000.

Figures from the Motor Trades Association show one new Tesla was purchased in the Territory in August. There were four EVs sold in the NT last month and four plug-in hybrid EVs.

Tesla vehicles are becoming more popular in the Territory. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP

Sixty hybrid vehicles were bought by Territorians last month, in contrast to 363 diesel and 366 petrol vehicles.

Of new vehicles sold so far this year, 32 were electric, 14 were plug-in hybrid electrics, 601 were hybrid, 3171 diesel and 2746 petrol.

Four of the five top-selling new cars in the Territory were Toyota.

Motor Trades Association acting chief executive Darrell Jacobs said the strength of sales of traditional combustion engine vehicles presented a challenge for the rollout of EVs.

“Territorians love their utes and any national transition to electric vehicles must take local travel, leisure and work requirements into consideration,” he said.

The Territory and Federal governments are now in sync with boosting EV uptake and usage.

In a speech to Federal Parliament last week, Solomon MP Luke Gosling highlighted policies implemented since May’s change of government, including fringe benefits tax savings of up to $9000 for employers who invested in electric vehicles and $4700 for private individuals.

In July 2021, the Territory government released an EV strategy and implementation plan focused on boosting electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Passenger and light commercial vehicles are also targeted for adaptation as part of a broader five-year plan.

The Northern Territory Government last year also launched a $300,000 electric vehicle charger grants program, which included 100 residential grants of $1000 and 80 business grants of $2500.

Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler says the community is adapting to electric vehicles. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

The government has supported installation of charging infrastructure at NT Fleet’s Stuart Park garage, Royal Darwin Hospital, Alice Springs Hospital, State Square underground car park and other government buildings leased across the Territory.

Other installations include at Doubletree by Hilton on Darwin’s Esplanade, the Darwin Waterfront, The Avenue at Parap, Darwin International Airport’s short-stay carpark, Charles Darwin University and Alice Springs Town Council.

Ms Lawler, when she announced the strategy, said decisions around EV policy were driven by community sentiment.

“Actions in the implementation plan have been directly influenced by feedback from the community including 79 per cent of respondents supporting the NT government encouraging EV use and 77 per cent agreeing that now is the right time to encourage EV use,” Ms Lawler said.

“Feedback indicated there is significant support for the NT government installing EV chargers, as well as setting targets for the NT government fleet. Responding to climate change will not only help us protect our environment but will support this new industry and the jobs that come with it.”