Victoria is the only state in Australia with a tax on electric and hybrid vehicles, and it’s a tax that the boss of Mitsubishi Australia says unfairly affects motorists trying to do the right thing.
Talking to CarExpert At the recent Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid launch, Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott did not hold back.
“So the answer is no [when asked whether the PHEV tax is right]. That’s not the right thing to do. The reality is the opposite, and we believe there needs to be a level of what I would say rationalization, but at the national level.
“And whether it is federally led or whether the states will come together and solve this problem. We don’t think any EV or PHEV, or any technology that takes us to the future will be disadvantaged in any way,” added Mr. Westcott.
“And if you look at the PHEV – in a way it’s taxed like an electric vehicle but when it’s subsidized, we’re not subsidized. We are fined, but we are not subsidized. We’re good enough to be an EV when taxed, but not good enough to be an EV when subsidized. “
Victoria’s premiums for road users both EVs and PHEVs, but only the former received a $3000 discount (for vehicles priced under $68,740).
In Victoria, underground cars are taxed 2.5c/km they drive on any road that is not a private road in Australia. While that tax is easy to track through an electric vehicle’s odometer, the 2.0c/km tax on plug-in hybrids makes little sense.
It doesn’t take into account any mileage on gasoline, which is subject to an excise tax in addition to fuel.
Westcott believes distance-based taxes such as those implemented by Victoria could limit the uptake of low-emission vehicles.
“Now we think that needs to be regulated because if we are a country that is serious about transitioning to a low-emissions future, we shouldn’t put any obstacles in the way,” he said. or barriers or obstacles in our way.
One potential benefit to PHEVs is the Federal Government’s proposed electric vehicle rebate scheme Tax exemption for low-emission cars.
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