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A TAX GRAB
The New South Wales Government is trying to raise revenue by stifling an industry that will need to grow if we are to meet NSW's own pollution targets. It goes against every goal they have set.
COPY CAT
No country in the world has ever introduced a tax like this -- they are doing the opposite and helping people afford clean vehicles. But South Australia just came up with the Clean Air Tax and rather than shut it down, the NSW Treasurer is copying it. If we don't take a stand for our air quality, other states will follow.
CHOKING ROADS
Many of us started this year breathing the smoke of horrific bushfires, and it made Australia aware of the terrible health impacts of air pollution. Pollution from vehicles actually kills more Australians every year than car crashes - estimated to be 1715 a year, compared to an annual road toll of 1200. So why put a punitive tax on cars that make our air cleaner and our community healthier?
Why is an electric vehicle tax a bad idea?
A new Clean Air Tax will keep our air dirtier for longer, damage our climate and our health.
Bad for our air quality
Approximately 1715 deaths were attributable to transport emissions each year in Australia according to a Melbourne University's Energy Institute study in 2017. This means more people are killed by dirty car emissions than car accidents each year.
Bad for our children
Transport pollution and proximity to roads are linked to the prevalence of asthma and allergies -- the most common cause of doctor visits for children under five. Because the tiny particles get into the bloodstream, they contribute to heart disease and diabetes. Causes of death from transport emissions include lung diseases, asthma, lung cancer and infections like pneumonia.
Bad for our climate
To achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 Australia has only 15 years to get electric vehicles from 0.6% to 100% of new cars sold. Given they are only projected to reach 21% of car sales by 2030, that's a significant challenge made only harder by a big new tax.
Bad for fair taxation
Electric vehicles already contribute more in government revenue when compared to a typical family car. They pay Stamp Duty, GST, and in some cases the luxury car tax. They contribute more tax revenue for road maintenance than a traditional petrol/diesel car.
Bad for innovation
Australian governments have already killed off the entire petrol/diesel car manufacturing industry in Australia. We have the opportunity to begin a new Australian car manufacturing industry by building electric vehicles, and the batteries, parts, charging stations and other infrastructure that supports them. Only a short-sighted government kills off an innovative industry.
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