Introduction

Download Electric Vehicles in Tasmania - Current State of Play (PDF).

Tasmanian Government’s commitment to support the uptake of electric vehicles

Climate Action 21: Tasmania’s Climate Change Action Plan 2017-2021 (Climate Action 21) sets the Tasmanian Government’s agenda for action on climate change through to 2021.

Under Climate Action 21, the Tasmanian Government is committed to working with key partners to develop a coordinated approach to support the uptake of electric vehicles in Tasmania (Note: for the purposes of this paper, the term 'electric vehicle' refers to plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles, unless otherwise specified (see Attachment 1 for definitions). Hybrids are not included in this definition as their batteries cannot be charged from an external electricity source). This includes supporting the rollout of a statewide electric vehicle charging network consistent with market trends. The Tasmanian Government has committed $250,000 to support this work.

The overarching purpose of the Tasmanian Government’s work in this space is to ensure the State is best placed to capture the benefits electric vehicles will bring, and ensure Tasmania is a genuine leader in the response to climate change.

Tasmania's transport sector has the highest emissions out of all the sectors of the State's economy and vehicle fleet costs are a significant expense for the Tasmanian Government, local government, private sector fleets and the community. This highlights the need to put in place strategies to support a more sustainable transport system. Electric vehicles, powered by Tasmania’s renewable energy, could reduce emissions in the transport sector and help to improve the State’s energy security (ClimateWorks 2017).

In addition to supporting the uptake of electric vehicles, the Government is committed to reducing the State’s fuel costs and transport emissions by supporting the uptake of other forms of transport, such as public transport, and taking action to improve Tasmania’s vehicle fleet efficiency.

Tasmanian Government’s Electric Vehicle Working Group

The Tasmanian Government has established the Electric Vehicle Working Group to provide advice on the development of an integrated approach to support the uptake of electric vehicles in a way that maximises benefits to the State. The Working Group will play an active role in:

• identifying and exploring barriers to electric vehicle uptake;
• reviewing relevant policy and regulatory settings relating to each barrier;
• identifying priority areas of action to support electric vehicle uptake;
• understanding the impact of electric vehicle uptake on Tasmania’s electricity sector;
• assessing approaches to support the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Tasmania; and
• investigating ways to improve electric vehicle data collection.

The Working Group will explore the social, environmental and economic benefits of electric vehicles, and consider the impact of increased uptake on Tasmania (eg existing industry sectors, government and the community).

The Working Group reports to the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Tasmanian Climate Change Office and comprises representatives from the following organisations:

• Australian Electric Vehicle Association;
• Aurora Energy;
• Hydro Tasmania;
• Local Government Association of Tasmania;
• Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania;
• Sustainable Living Tasmania;
• TasNetworks;
• Tasmanian Government (Department of Health and Human Services; Department of State Growth; Department of Treasury and Finance; Department of Justice);
• Tourism Industry Council Tasmania; and
• University of Tasmania.

Electric vehicles in Tasmania – Current State of Play

This paper examines the current state of play regarding electric vehicles in Australia and explores key considerations for supporting the uptake of the technology in Tasmania. The paper is designed to inform the Electric Vehicle Working Group and start the conversation regarding the Tasmanian Government’s role in supporting electric vehicle uptake.

Next: Current state of play