One of the new Federal Government’s policies, announced as part of its election platform, is to make certain electric vehicles exempt from import tariffs, and from the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) imposed on electric cars that are provided through work for private use. These exemptions would apply to vehicles valued below the threshold for the luxury car tax for low-emission vehicles.

Under the current statutory formula for valuing car fringe benefits, electric cars are arguably at a disadvantage compared to fossil fuel-consuming cars, but the FBT exemption proposal would tilt the balance very much in the favour of the electric car.

For example, an employee on a salary of $150,000 who salary packages a $60,000 electric car with annual running costs (including lease payments) of $17,000 net of GST could expect to be around $4,500 better off annually after tax, due to the change in FBT treatment.

The exemption from the 5% import tariff should also make certain electric vehicles cheaper for Australian consumers and businesses.

The government has indicated that the electric car discount policy would be reviewed after three years, taking account of developments in the adoption of electric cars by that time.