Queensland Introduces Zero Emission Vehicle Rebates and Charging Infrastructure Scheme - JET Charge
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Queensland Introduces Zero Emission Vehicle Rebates and Charging Infrastructure Scheme

Posted
7 July 2022

The Queensland Government recently announced its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Rebate Scheme as part of its Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy (2022-2032). The scheme will provide a rebate of $3,000 on eligible ZEVs. Queensland has also begun its Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Scheme, aspiring to implement more public EV fast chargers to its network, and improving their commercial viability. The rebate and infrastructure schemes are intended to ease two key barriers to EVs, cost and charging infrastructure- and is symbolic of the ongoing surge of EV uptake in Australia. Read on to learn more about each scheme.

The Queensland Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate Scheme 

Queensland individuals and businesses are now able to access a $3,000 rebate on eligible ZEVs purchased from March 16, 2022. The scheme is intended to ease the affordability of eligible ZEVs and encourage their purchase, bolstering the likelihood of Queensland achieving their 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2036 EV uptake targets. The scheme also provides an opportunity for businesses to electrify their fleets and contribute to the state’s emission reduction goals. The rebates will resume until the Queensland Government’s $45 million commitment has been exhausted. 

The Scheme limits:

  • Individuals: to one rebate per individual
  • Businesses: up to five rebates per business every financial year

Eligibility Requirements:

  • ZEVs must have a dutiable price of less than $58,000 (including GST)
  • Must purchase a new light passenger or light commercial ZEV model  
  • Must have proof of residency- Queensland residents with a current and valid Queensland driver license (interstate and international licenses are not accepted)
  • Businesses: must be a registered business in Queensland
  • ZEV’s must be purchased from a relevant licensed motor vehicle dealer, registered with the Department of Transport of Main Roads on or after March 16, 2022. 
  • Purchase price considerations do not include statutory registration fees and vehicle registration duty (not included into the dutiable price)

Ineligible vehicles include:

  • Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and Internal combustion engines (ICE) are not eligible for the rebate. 
  • Second-hand vehicles
  • Heavy vehicles over 4.5t- i.e., trucks and buses
  • Electric bicycles, motorcycles, trikes, and mopeds
  • Dealer/demonstrator models
  • Retro-fitted zero emission vehicles and other vehicle conversion kits (including any other alternative fuel source)
  • Personal mobility devices for example electric/motorised wheelchairs, electric scooters, mobility scooters and
  • Electric boats or marine vessels
  • Zero emission vehicles registered before 16 March 2022
  • Zero emission vehicles managed through a lease or a fleet management organisation
  • Zero emission vehicles that previously received a rebate, grant or subsidy in other Australian state or territories.

Vehicles that will be eligible for the rebate include:

The ZEV rebate also prevents licensed motor vehicle dealers, fleet management organisations and government entities (including but not limited to local councils) from claiming the rebate. For the full list of ineligible vehicles, head to the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority page here.

Queensland’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Scheme

The sunshine state is also accelerating its roll-out of charging infrastructure and investment in its EV charging network. The Queensland Government’s $10 million investment into the scheme, aims to increase the state’s public fast charging infrastructure- uplifting its net-zero emissions by 2050 objective. The EV infrastructure scheme offers a co-funding opportunity for local government, industry, and other eligible entities to install chargers and expand their charging network.   

Key Dates & Details:

  • Expressions of interest are open as of July 1, 2022, and close August 29, 2022, at 11.59pm.
  • Application outcomes are expected to be advised by September 30, 2022– successful submissions will receive an invitation to submit a Stage Two Application
  • Co-funding of up to $3 million is available to eligible entities- successful applicants 
  • Government contribution of up to 50% of the proposed total project value
  • You may be offered less than 50% co-funding where charging sites have been unsuccessful to receive funding or due to oversubscription- it is advised to detail the costings of each site within an application. 
  • Funding can only be used for all costs associated with capital costs of purchasing equipment, including charging stations and energy storage, and costs to install and commission EV fast charging stations
  • Funding cannot be used on hydrogen refueling infrastructure, private charging infrastructure (not for public use- i.e., apartments, hotels), and any proposed sites that have previously received funding from other government schemes or grants. 
  • All applicants must commit to having all charging sites within their application operational within 18 months of the execution of a Funding Agreement. In the event of unavoidable extensions, negotiations may occur under the Funding Agreement. 

Successful applications will be selected by eligibility criteria, merit criteria and priority zones. 

Applications will be processed in two stages:

Stage One: expression of interest process

Stage Two: detailed application process (only applicable to successful stage one applicants)

Stage two applicants are not guaranteed to be approved for the funding under the scheme. 

To express your interest in the scheme and more details on eligibility requirements and program guidelines, click here

Sunny days in the Sunshine State

Queensland currently accounts for one in four of Australia’s total EV uptake, with 10,000 registered EVs, double the amount from this time last year – this number should only rise with the implementation of the $3,000 rebate. By reducing the upfront cost of EVs, the scheme hopes to encourage a wider range of models to enter the market- at a lower price point and help stimulate the state’s secondhand EV sales. Alongside the rebates, Queensland’s infrastructure scheme will provide additional public fast-charging options and combat range anxiety for drivers and tourists- Queensland currently holds the longest road network in the country. Queensland’s promise reflects its net-zero by 2050 commitment and demonstrates policy that incentivises EV uptake. 

Stay tuned on the JET Charge Blog for more industry news, announcements, and educational pieces.