ACT signs on to zero emissions vehicles by 2040

The federal government has not signed on to the agreement, but has unveiled a strategy to support 1.7 million zero emissions vehicles on Australia's roads by the end of the decade.

The plan has been criticised for leaving out subsidies to reduce the upfront cost of electric cars, new fuel efficiency standards or an end date for the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles.

The agreement on zero emissions vehicles would see parties strive to ensure only such vehicles are sold by 2040; converting owned or leased cars and van fleets to zero emissions vehicles by 2035; policy incentives for the transition; making zero emission vehicles affordable, accessible and sustainable by 2030, and a commitment to a global, equitable and just transition.

ACT Minister for Emissions Reduction, Shane Rattenbury said in a statement that the ACT government was continuing "to find new ways" to encourage the transition.

"We are currently finalising an Electric Vehicles Charging Masterplan to help guide the installation of charging infrastructure across the ACT," Mr Rattenbury said.

"Our incentives of two years free registration and stamp duty exemption are helping to drive an increase in uptake of zero emissions vehicles with a 34% increase in zero emissions vehicles on ACT roads since these measures were introduced in May 2021."

"In the first half of next year, we will also announce our target for new car sales to be zero-emission by 2030."

Mr Rattenbury criticised the federal government for choosing not to introduce a phase-out timeline for petrol cars or targets for the take-up of zero emissions vehicles.

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