Petrol cars should pay double for ‘the cost of their pollution’, electric vehicle advocates say
Outrage expected as a radical EV group demands a punishing “double tax” on petrol cars
A leading electric vehicle (EV) advocacy group has called for drivers of petrol and diesel cars to face what it describes as a ‘double tax’ to offset ‘the cost of their pollution’.
Under the current rules, a fuel excise is applied to every litre of petrol and diesel sold in Australia, adding around 51 cents to each litre.
However, with the increasing popularity of fully-electric and hybrid vehicles, which use little to no fuel, advocates have called for a new system to ensure all drivers fairly fund their road usage.
Under the Australian Electric Vehicle Association’s (AEVA) proposal, announced on Wednesday, drivers of petrol and diesel cars would pay fuel excise in addition to a universally applied road user charge, creating what the organisation describes as a ‘double tax’.
The proposal also called for a road user charge based on distance travelled and weight to apply in addition to the existing fuel excise tax, rather than replacing it.
AEVA’s policy convenor Dr Chris Jones said the group wasn’t looking for ‘a free ride’.
‘If two vehicles weigh the same and are driven the same distance each year, it’s only fair that they pay the same road user charge,’ Dr Jones said.
‘But if one of those vehicles burns petrol or diesel, they should pay for the cost of that pollution too.’
Dr Jones said the idea would accurately price road wear while also incentivising lighter and more efficient vehicles.
According to Nine’s Drive publication, AEVA’s proposal would calculate an annual road user charge by multiplying a vehicle’s weight and the number of kilometres it travels each year by a rate of three cents.
For a 2.1-tonne 2026 Toyota HiLux SR5 dual-cab travelling 13,000km per year, this would equate to an $823 road user charge.
By comparison, drivers of a 2018 Suzuki Swift Sport weighing 970kg would pay $379.
It comes as the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said the idea of a road user charge was supported by the EV industry.
‘I think a road user charge is something that Australia should be working towards. It’s got to be done right. It’s got to be done carefully, and that includes timing. It’s a very big undertaking. It should not be rushed unnecessarily,’ Bowen said last month.
‘The Treasurer and I are of one mind on that. That’s why it wasn’t in the budget [in May 2026] because it needs more work. It’s a conversation that we’ll continue to have.’
Source: dailymail.com