Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Pinterest
Flipboard
Email
Messenger
WhatsApp
Canberra to Ban All New Petrol Cars from 2035
Drivers in Canberra may soon have to put their petrol-powered dreams on the back-burner. In an Australian-first, Canberra is set to ban new “fossil fuel” vehicles from 2035 in an effort to curb carbon emissions in the jurisdiction. Under the mandate, all new cars purchased in Canberra must be electric, kickstarting a fiercely progressive move for the Australian motoring industry.
RELATED: Want to stay on top of all the latest electric vehicle news? Check out our rolling coverage.
Image: Chuttersnap
Announced on Monday, the aggressive strategy will help achieve the ACT government’s plans to reduce emissions on the road. According to Emissions Reduction Minister Shane Rattenbury, by 2030, around 80 to 90 per cent of new cars sold will be zero-emissions models, with stricter enforcement set to follow.
“Our intent is that from 2035, you will not be able to put new (fossil fuel vehicles) on the road,” Rattenbury said. “But the government does not intend to take your car off the road if you’re driving around in an all-petrol vehicle at the start of the year.”
Image: Jenny Ueberberg
Canberra Petrol Car Ban
The new Canberra petrol car ban comes just months after the jurisdiction opened interest-free loans of up to $15,000 for Canberra residents wanting to purchase an electric vehicle. The planned mandate extends that initial scope, with Rattenbury confirming that the ban would apply to new cars, motorcycles and small trucks.
In the ACT, motorists have greater incentives to purchase and drive electric vehicles than in other states. For instance, if you purchased a Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) for the first time, you may not be required to pay stamp duty. Similarly, if you buy a ZEV, either new or used, you’re entitled to two years’ free ACT registration. The incentives are set to play a pivotal role in the government’s complete Zero Emissions Vehicle Strategy 2022-2030, which is expected to be handed down later this week.
“We’re trying to signal where we are going very early so that people have a clear understanding of where the future lies,” Rattenbury said.
Image: Cupra
Electric Vehicle Incentives
The Canberra petrol car ban does represent a landmark move in the shift towards zero emissions road use, with other states expected to follow suit in the near future. Several other nations are already taking steps towards carbon neutrality, with the UK government announcing plans to ban the sale of new petrol cars and diesels from 2030.
Here in Australia, the topic of electric vehicles has been widely debated, particularly in the lead-up to this year’s federal election. In its Driving the Nation policy, the Labor Party announced plans to make electric vehicles cheaper and easier to charge, tackling emissions caused by heavy transport.
In May, the party confirmed it would be doubling the current $250 million Future Fuels Fund to $500 million, investing heavily in electric vehicle infrastructure. With the latest news certain to dominate automotive discussions in the coming weeks, Canberra may well be the first step in a nationwide roll-out.
Nick Hall
Nick Hall is the Editor-in-Chief of Man of Many and an accomplished journalist. He completed a Bachelor of Creative Industries at the Queensland University of Technology, with a double major in Journalism and Music. Prior to working at Man of Many, Nick spent two years as a journalist with Inside Franchise Business, focusing on small business, finance and legal reporting. In 2021, Nick was named B&T's Best of the Best Journalist of the Year. With an extensive background in the media industry, Nick specialises in feature writing, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment content. A qualified barber and men's stylist, Nick also holds a Cert III in Barbering from the Queensland Hairdressing Academy.
