https://www.theguardian.com/environm...ing-it-nowhere
Jafari says if they go ahead these plans would make Australia the first place to make using the developing technology more expensive, rather than trying to bring down the price. “We would absolutely become a laughing stock for telling people not to buy electric vehicles,” he says.
Trent Zimmerman, a moderate federal Liberal MP representing North Sydney, agrees now is not the time. “I think introducing road user charges for electric vehicles any time in this decade would be a mistake,” he says.
Trent Zimmerman, a moderate federal Liberal MP representing North Sydney, agrees now is not the time. “I think introducing road user charges for electric vehicles any time in this decade would be a mistake,” he says.
But Whitehead says there are already several examples of auto-makers ignoring Australia with new models in favour of more mature markets. For example, Korean manufacturer Kia dropped plans to introduce new EV models here, instead focusing on countries with more ambitious policy support. He says it is a sign of what lies ahead.
“We need a clear target and a clear set of policies to get us there,” Whitehead says. “If Australia continues down this pathway of non-existent policy we will be left behind, and we’ll all suffer for that.”
“We need a clear target and a clear set of policies to get us there,” Whitehead says. “If Australia continues down this pathway of non-existent policy we will be left behind, and we’ll all suffer for that.”
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