The ACT government says its overhaul of vehicle registrations, in favour of electric cars, will not put Canberrans with petrol-powered vehicles further out of pocket.
The government unveiled its 2022-30 zero emissions vehicles strategy last year, which included changes to registration.
Under the new policy, fees will be based on vehicle emissions rather than the current weight-based system.
The government says Canberrans will pay lower fees for cars that produce fewer emissions — to encourage electric vehicle (EV) ownership.
But ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr says that when the scheme comes into effect, on July 1 next year, the vast majority of Canberra car owners will pay the same or less in registration as now.
For the minority of Canberrans who will pay more, Mr Barr says fee rises will be capped at $50.
"For 96 per cent of cars on the road, it either means the same or cheaper, and it's only a very small number of heavy, and heavy-polluting, vehicles that will pay up to $50 more," he says.
The government says that, over the strategy's first four years, changes to registration fees, stamp duty and concessions will save motorists $6.6 million.
Whose registration fees will be waived?
The government also revealed on Wednesday that Canberrans with concession cards would not need to pay to register their vehicles, regardless of whether they were electric or petrol-powered.
Eligible cardholders will receive a 100 per cent concession on motor vehicle registration from July 1 this year — however, these car owners must still pay for compulsory third-party insurance.
Canberrans with an ACT Service Access card or an Australian Low Income Health Care Card will be eligible.
What if I already own an EV?
Mr Barr says Canberrans who already pay less for registration will continue to receive those subsidies.
But those enjoying the current benefit of two years of free registration for new or used EVs will need to pay rego fees after that period ends.
Mr Barr says registration for those EVs will fall into the lowest-fee category, so their owners will still be better off in the long term.
The ACT government has previously offered several other incentives to purchase EVs, including interest-free loans and a stamp duty exemption for new and second-hand electric cars.
ACT Energy Minister Shane Rattenbury says the new registration system reflects "the environmental benefits of electric vehicles through lower annual registration fees".
"Under existing arrangements, electric vehicles often pay a higher registration fee because of their heavier weight," he says.
"These changes will ensure that the lowest-emission vehicles will pay the lowest registration fees.
"These changes, along with our other policies and changes in the vehicle market, continue our efforts to make electric vehicles a more affordable option for more Canberrans."
