CANBERRANS on low incomes could be left behind in the ACT government’s transition to electric cars, according to the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS).

In a submission to the Legislative Assembly’s Inquiry into electric car adoption, ACTCOSS said the policy risks perpetuating inequality by providing subsidies to those on the highest incomes to access zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs), whilst failing to prioritise poorer Canberrans.

“Evidence shows that rebate and incentive programs for ZEVs disproportionately favour those on the highest incomes and often make little difference to an individual’s plan or ability to obtain a vehicle,” said ACTCOSS CEO Dr Emma Campbell.

“Given our scarce resources, investment in the transition to sustainable and climate friendly energy solutions must be targeted toward those on the lowest incomes.

“Practically, this means prioritising policies such as moving to solar and improving the energy efficiency of housing in particular sectors of the housing market where people on low incomes are overrepresented, including rental properties and social and affordable housing.”

Ms Campbell said she was disappointed to see that the government’s policy did not include support for community sector organisations to transition to net-zero vehicles given the high costs of fuel.

“Public money used to support the transition to net zero must be targeted to those who need it most and to those that are most impacted by being left behind,” she said.

“We urge the ACT Government to consult more widely and put people with the least at the centre of policy design. If we get the policy settings right, we can rapidly cut emissions and create a safer and fairer society.”

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