In July 2021, I found myself in Darwin, while my 2015 Tesla Model, “Tess”, was garaged in Melbourne. Unfortunately, it was deregistered and garaged in Hobart due to the Victorian tax on EVs. As a law-abiding citizen, I paid 1.5c/km (later 1.6c/km) into Victoria consolidated revenue for every kilometre driven on Victorian roads and even a few thousand kms on NSW and Tasmanian roads.
I strongly objected to the Victorian government’s EV road tax as it was poorly designed, administratively clumsy, inefficient, discriminatory and plain stupid. Despite this, I still paid my taxes. However, I refused to pay for a Robodebt-like assumption of mileage hypothecated from my historical travel distances when my car was actually stationary for the first month of the tax’s introduction.
I wrote numerous emails to the Victorian Treasurer, which were ignored and then referred to the Minister for Roads and Transport, who also ignored them. All the while, they kept sending further demands to pay and threatening letters to de-register my vehicle. This was an overbearing manner menacing its citizens with continual demands to pay for consumption not undertaken.
When I bought “Tess” in 2015, I didn’t expect an EV tax and thought I was contributing to a cleaner environment, better community health, less greenhouse gases, a quieter peaceful environment, and less road accidents. Until EVs are the dominant vehicle type on our roads, it could be argued that the diesel fuel excise should be increased to accelerate the transition to a future of cleaner, safer, quieter stress-free roads.
I’m one of 243 Victorian EV owners who have had their vehicles deregistered because of the state’s “rogue” EV tax. I’m continuing to object to the Andrews State Government’s overbearing bureaucratic enforcement in the style of the previous Morrison Federal Government’s Robodebt. I’m eagerly awaiting the outcome of the High Court case heard in February regarding a state’s ability to intrude on federal taxation powers and hope that a more efficient and nationally-consistent way of road funding is devised.
FAQ
Q1: Are electric car batteries recyclable?
A1: Yes, electric car batteries are recyclable.
Q2: Are electric car chargers free?
A2: It depends on the charger and the location. Some electric car chargers are free, while others may require a fee.
Q3: Can electric car batteries be rebuilt?
A3: Yes, electric car batteries can be rebuilt with the right tools and knowledge.
