MEDIA RELEASE
12 December 2025
The Federal Government’s statutory review of the Electric Car Discount must protect affordable access to electric vehicles for working Australians who have led the way on uptake.
Independent modelling indicates the Electric Car Discount has allowed more than 100,000 Australians to get behind the wheel of an EV since 2022 and has become essential to the success of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).
EVC CEO, Julie Delvecchio said the Council was ready to work constructively with the Government through the review process, but it was vital any reforms build towards Australia’s transition to cleaner, cheaper transport.
“The Electric Car Discount has delivered exactly what it was designed to do: make electric vehicles affordable for everyday Australians and provide them with meaningful savings,” Ms Delvecchio said.
“Teachers, nurses, and other frontline workers are some of the largest EV user groups to go electric because the discount has helped the numbers stack up.
“By driving an EV, families across Australia are saving up to $3,000 per year in fuel and maintenance costs, and even greater savings for those with rooftop solar or vehicle-to-grid.
“Ensuring that EVs remain affordable for more working families - and that uptake continues to accelerate towards 5 million EVs by 2035 - should be the central test of this review.”
Affordability is the core test the review must pass
Leasing industry data* shows affordability is now the key driver of EV uptake:
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82% of novated-lease EV drivers would not have purchased an EV without the Electric Car Discount; and
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EV novated leases have increased substantially in just 18 months.
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The Electric Car Discount saves typical households thousands per year, depending on vehicle model and income bracket.
* National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging Association (NALSPA)
“These figures make clear that the Electric Car Discount is one of the most effective tools available to keep EVs within reach for Australian families. Any change must pass a simple test: does it maintain meaningful savings for everyday Australians?”, Ms Delvecchio said.
Alignment with National Vehicle Efficiency Standard
Strong demand policies, like the Electric Car Discount, are critical for the success of the government's own New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).
Ms Delvecchio said it was important that the review’s outcomes worked with, not against the Government’s own NVES standards.
“Australia needs 20 times more EVs by 2035 to meet its climate goals,” Ms Delvecchio said. “The Electric Car Discount, alongside the NVES, is helping build a second-hand EV market, lower household running costs, and cut transport emissions.This review must accelerate that momentum - not stall it."
The National Transport Commission has found that emissions intensity from light vehicles has been reducing in recent years along with the availability of the Electric Car Discount.
Reducing carbon dioxide in our air through the increased uptake of EVs also improves our air quality, directly addressing the 11,000 excess deaths from vehicle emissions. More EVs counteract these deadly impacts on our community and cost to our health system.
The EVC outlined three essential guardrails that should shape the review’s outcome:
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Reforms must maintain meaningful affordability benefits for everyday households, fleets and small businesses.
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Policy alignment with the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) must be preserved, ensuring Australia’s EV transition remains accessible to the majority of Australians and supports the goal of 5 million EVs by 2035.
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The review must account for the broader public benefits of electrification, including reduced health system costs from lower air pollution, avoided electricity transmission build-out costs, and improved national fuel security as Australia shifts away from imported petrol and diesel.
About us:
The EVC is the peak national body representing the electric vehicle industry in Australia. Representing members from across the value chain of the electric vehicle sector, the EVC is a trusted advisor and advocate to governments and decision makers across Australia.
Contact details:
Todd Hayward - 0412 205 151