WA Government EV policies, rebates and Grant Programs

The State EV Strategy emphasises the multiple benefits of EVs, including improving air quality in urban centres, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting local industry and delivering a range of benefits for consumers. The Strategy’s actions are preparing WA for the transition to low and zero‐emission EVs.

The Strategy supports the adoption of EVs. This includes investing over $200 million to support the electrification of cars and buses in WA through:

• $36.5 million to provide 10,000 rebates of $3,500 to Western Australians who buy a new electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle up to a value of $70,000, through the Clean Energy Car Fund
• $23 million for the WA EV Network to provide EV owners with confidence that they can access fast charging stations along major travel routes, as well as tourism locations across our state
• $5 million to support local governments to install charging infrastructure by providing grants of up to 50 per cent of the installation costs through the Charge Up grant scheme
• $10 million to support not-for-profit and SMEs with grants of up to 50 per cent of installing charging infrastructure around the state, through the Charge Up grant scheme
• $4 million to trial the installation of EV-charging infrastructure at up to four train stations, providing car parking bays with commuter charging access
• $125 million in state funding to match $125 million invested by the Australian Government to deliver 130 new locally built electric buses and charging infrastructure at key depots.

In May 2022, the State Government introduced the Zero Emissions Vehicle Rebate Scheme to encourage the purchase of zero emissions vehicles as part of the Government’s Clean Energy Car Fund. The rebate is available for 10,000 eligible vehicles licensed in WA. If you would like to know more about the rebate, including how to apply, visit the Department of Transport website Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Rebate. 

Synergy has developed electricity tariffs to incentivise EV owners to recharge their EVs overnight or in the middle of the day to better align with renewable energy output and network availability. You can find more information via Synergy.

Synergy and Horizon Power are working with the State Government to create Australia’s longest EV-charging network (the WA EV Network). This $23 million investment includes 98 charging stations across 49 different locations connecting Perth and regional WA. You can find the EV-charger map and more information on Synergy’s WA EV Network.

The Vehicle Emissions Star Rating (VESR) allows you to compare vehicle emissions and running costs for over 16,000 vehicles.

How VESR works

VESR is a six-star rating system which allows you to compare the carbon dioxide emissions of different cars, utes and vans. It’s simple – the more stars a vehicle has, the lower the vehicle’s tailpipe CO₂ emissions.

Consider your annual cost with a fully customisable calculator. For a personalised result, input the price you pay for fuel or electricity and the distances you drive. Alternatively, learn more about topics ranging from battery recycling to emissions offsets through the resources tab.

Your choice can drive big changes

Choose VESR to:

• make sustainable choices when deciding on your next vehicle purchase
• calculate the environmental and running costs of your current vehicle
• compare the emissions and cost savings of up to four different vehicles in a single moment.

Compare your vehicle now.

A Position Statement - Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure has been prepared by the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage to outline how EV-charging infrastructure should be assessed in the WA planning system. The Position Statement aims to assist proponents and decision makers by advocating for a streamlined approvals process, and provide guidance on development applications, public works, appropriate locations, and recommended numbers of EV chargers in different land use types.

The State Government introduced new transport initiatives under the Sectoral Emissions Reduction Strategy, released in December 2023. These initiatives will further support the state’s transition to low- and zero-tailpipe emissions vehicles, including commitments to:

• increase the State Government fleet EV target to at least 50 per cent of all new purchases in eligible categories from 1 July 2025 to demonstrate government leadership and support the supply of EVs to the second-hand vehicle market
• develop a statewide strategy for future electric road transport charging infrastructure required to support the transition to net zero
• fund installation of additional EV chargers at new METRONET train stations to boost the rollout of EV-charging stations underway at existing train station parking bays.

Transitioning to electric transport will play a key role in shaping WA’s future electricity systems. The State Government’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Action Plan: preparing Western Australia’s electricity systems for EVs, outlines 26 priority actions to integrate EVs within WA’s power systems. The Action Plan is administered by Energy Policy WA in the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.