The electric car discount, which reduces the cost of leasing an electric vehicle through a novated lease, is working and easing the cost of living for Australian families, according to the Electric Vehicle Council.
Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Julie Delvecchio said the policy, which exempts workers from incurring fringe benefit tax when taking out a novated lease on an electric vehicle, is typically saving around $5,000 each year on the average cost of an EV.
"This electric car discount has been a hit with Australians, and we're calling on all sides of politics to extend this policy during the upcoming federal election," Ms Delvecchio said.
"The discount is easing the cost of living by helping families save on transport costs and accelerating the shift to cleaner, more affordable cars.
"EVs don't just benefit the individual driver, they also reduce the nation's carbon emissions, cut air pollution which makes people sick, and unshackle Australia from our historic dependence on foreign oil.
"The electric car discount simply allows people to put their hard earned money toward the lease of an electric vehicle. The immense benefits of this policy are chalk and cheese compared to the billions paid by the government for fuel subsidies each year.
"The facts show that over 52 per cent of electric cars are being bought in our outer suburbs and regions. Indeed we know the biggest uptake has been from everyday families in the suburbs struggling with the cost of living.
"We can already see that the FBT exemption is helping supply more EVs to the second-hand car market, so that more Australians can enjoy the benefits of driving an electric car. Low-income households will benefit enormously by switching to a second-hand EV, because they can avoid volatile petrol prices which we know are hurting families."
