To support the uptake of electric vehicles in South Australia, the government is providing a $3,000 subsidy and a 3-year registration exemption on eligible new battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles first registered from 28 October 2021.
Important changes from 1 January 2024
The subsidy for eligible new battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will end from 1 January 2024.
Individuals and businesses that have entered into a binding contract for the purchase of an eligible electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle prior to 1 January 2024, and are awaiting delivery of the vehicle, will still be eligible to receive the subsidy regardless of whether the vehicle has been registered by that date. This will ensure that those who have ordered an eligible vehicle on the expectation of receiving the relief will not be disadvantaged.
Further information on the changes is outlined in the Frequently Asked Questions section.
There are no changes to the registration exemption for electric vehicles. A 3-year exemption will still be available to any eligible new electric vehicles valued below $68,750 and first registered between 28 October 2021 and 30 June 2025.
Click here to apply for an electric vehicle subsidy. For more information about the subsidy see below.
If you have any queries, please email dtfelectricvehicles@sa.gov.au
A $3,000 subsidy is available for new battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles:
- valued below $68,750 (including GST); and
- registered in South Australia from 28 October 2021; and
- where a binding contract of sale was entered into on or before 31 December 2023.
Subsidies are limited to one per individual person residing in South Australia and two per business located in South Australia. The vehicles will be required to be registered in South Australia and must not have received a rebate in another jurisdiction.
The subsidy is only available on eligible new vehicles that have not been previously registered. It is not available for used vehicles. The subsidy is not available for plug-in hybrid vehicles.
See the Subsidy Terms and Conditions for the full eligibility criteria and the FAQs for further information.
Subsidies are provided as a rebate upon application after a vehicle is purchased and registered.
Vehicles registered after 1 January 2024 will only be eligible for a subsidy if a binding contract of sale was entered into prior to 1 January 2024 (e.g. the vehicle was purchased, or a deposit was paid on the vehicle and a contract to purchase was signed, on or before 31 December 2023).
Before applying for an electric vehicle subsidy you should read the Subsidy Terms and Conditions
Click here to apply for an electric vehicle subsidy.
If you have any queries, please see the Frequently Asked Questions section or email dtfelectricvehicles@sa.gov.au
The Government is providing a 3-year registration fee exemption for new battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
The exemption is available for new battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles first registered from 28 October 2021 and up to 30 June 2025. A price cap of $68,750 (inclusive of GST) applies.
The exemption will apply for three years from the date of first registration of an eligible vehicle. For example, a new battery electric vehicle first registered on 1 July 2024 would receive the registration exemption over the period 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2027.
There is no limit on the number of new battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that can receive relief during the eligible time period, subject to the eligibility criteria being met.
Vehicles first registered after 1 July 2025 will not receive any registration exemption. Other registration related charges including compulsory third-party insurance, ESL, stamp duty will still be payable when a vehicle is registered.
Eligible electric vehicle subsidy recipients will receive a rebate on the first year’s registration charge as part of the electric vehicle subsidy application. The registration charge rebate for a vehicle first registered in 2023-24 (from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024) is $148. The following two years registration exemption will be provided as part of future registration renewal process.
No additional application is required to receive a rebate on the first year’s registration charge.
If you have any queries, please email dtfelectricvehicles@sa.gov.au
What is the amount of the subsidy?
A $3,000 purchase subsidy is available eligible new battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
When does the vehicle need to be purchased to be eligible?
There are two criteria:
- The vehicle must be first registered on or after 28 October 2021. Vehicle registered prior to this date are not eligible.
- a binding contract of sale for the eligible vehicle must have been entered into on or before 31 December 2023.
A binding contract of sale would generally include where a deposit has been placed on the purchase of a vehicle.
This will ensure that those who have purchased a vehicle prior to the subsidy scheme ending on 1 January 2024, but were awaiting delivery of the vehicle will still be able to receive the subsidy.
I purchased an electric vehicle prior to 1 January 2024 but it was registered after 1 January 2024, am I eligible to receive the subsidy?
Yes. If a binding contract of sale was entered into on or before 31 December 2023, but it was registered after 1 January 2024, the vehicle will still be eligible to receive the subsidy subject to meeting all the other eligibility criteria.
I have placed a deposit on a vehicle prior to 1 January 2024, will I be eligible to receive the subsidy?
Yes, as long as you entered into a contract to purchase the vehicle when you placed a deposit, and the vehicle meets all the other criteria, it will be eligible for a subsidy.
When you receive your vehicle and it has been registered, you can apply for the $3,000 subsidy. You will be required to provide proof of the contract of sale being entered into on or before 31 December 2023 as part of the application process.
I have ordered an electric vehicle and am unsure when it will be delivered. Can I claim the subsidy before the vehicle is registered?
No, the electric vehicle must be registered before an electric vehicle is eligible for the subsidy.
As long as a binding contract of sale for the eligible vehicle was entered into on or before 31 December 2023, the subsidy can be claimed once the vehicle is registered.
Applications must be submitted by 31 December 2024.
Can I receive the subsidy for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle?
No. The subsidies are only available for eligible battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
Can I receive the subsidy on a used electric vehicle?
No. The subsidy is only available for new vehicles that have not been previously registered.
There are exemptions to this requirement for dealer demonstrator vehicles.
If I purchase a demonstrator electric vehicle, am I eligible for the subsidy?
Yes, demonstrator vehicles are eligible for the subsidy with the following requirements:
- The vehicle must be on-sold by the dealership
- The tax invoice/contract of sale must clearly state the vehicle is a demonstrator model, with the odometer reading listed.
A demonstrator vehicle is defined by the RevenueSA Information Circular 87 Stamp Duty on Motor Vehicles (see: https://www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au/forms-and-publications/information-circulars-and-revenue-rulings/information-circulars/ic_087)
The key criteria for a demonstrator vehicle is as follows:
- Registered initially in the name of the dealership
- Has travelled a distance of up to 7,500 km or a period of six months (whichever is attained first) for metropolitan dealers, or for a regional dealer up to 12,000 km or a period of 12 months (whichever is attained first)
- Readily available for demonstration or sale at all times.
The date of first registration for dealer demonstrator vehicles for the purpose of the subsidy will be when the vehicle is first registered in the name of the individual or business purchasing a demonstrator vehicle, not when a vehicle was registered by the licensed motor vehicle dealer for demonstration purposes.
What is included in the price cap?
The $68,750 (including GST) price cap is based on the value of the vehicle for stamp duty purposes.
The value of a new motor vehicle for stamp duty purposes is the recommended retail price or manufacturer's list price (including GST and luxury car tax, where applicable) issued by the manufacturer.
The value of any additional equipment or features not included by the manufacturer in the list price of a new motor vehicle may or may not need to be added to the list price for calculating stamp duty.
The Stamp Duties Act 1923 specifically identifies 2 items of optional equipment as being dutiable - "power steering" and "a particular type of transmission (for example, automatic transmission) ".
Where additional equipment or features are part of the vehicle as it is released to the public, the list price includes these items. Therefore, stamp duty is payable on the "'price fixed" by the manufacturer as defined in the Stamp Duties Act 1923.
For further information and examples see: https://www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au/stamp-duty-vehicles
Is there a limit on the number of claims I can make for the subsidy?
An individual can claim the subsidy for one (1) eligible vehicle that is registered in South Australia.
A business can claim the subsidy for two (2) eligible vehicles that are registered in South Australia.
Are sole traders or trusts eligible for the subsidy?
A business or organisation with a registered office or place of business in South Australia can access the subsidy for up to two eligible new vehicles registered in South Australia for business purposes. A business includes a company, sole trader, partnership or trust carrying on a business. An organisation includes a non-government organisation with an Australian Business Number.
I am a car dealer, can I receive the subsidy?
No the subsidy is not available for licensed motor car dealers.
Can a government entity receive the subsidy?
No, the subsidy is not available for any government entity, including local, state or Commonwealth.
If the vehicle is purchased via a leasing arrangement, am I eligible to receive the subsidy?
Yes, as long as the vehicle is registered in the name of the individual or the business entering into the leasing arrangement and all other eligibility criteria has been met.
The subsidy cap of one per individual and two per business still applies.
A copy of the lease agreement needs to be provided as part of the application process.
Are motor bikes eligible for the subsidy?
No. Motor bikes, heavy vehicles and special purpose vehicles are not eligible for the subsidy.
I have received a rebate in another state or territory, can I receive the SA subsidy?
No. If you have accessed an electric vehicle rebate in another state or territory on the vehicle, then you are not eligible to claim a $3,000 subsidy in South Australia.
Our vehicle is registered in joint names and we received the electric vehicle subsidy. If we purchase a second electric vehicle that is registered in joint names or an individual name, are we eligible to receive the subsidy?
No. An individual is eligible to receive one subsidy only. This includes if the registration is in joint names.
How do I apply for the subsidy?
Complete an application form available at https://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/Growing-South-Australia/incentives-for-electric-vehicles
Registration exemption
How much is the motor registration fee exemption?
The 2022-23 registration fee exemption for an eligible battery electric vehicle is $141 for a 12 month registration period.
The 2023-24 registration fee exemption for an eligible battery electric vehicle is $148 for a 12 month registration period.
Other registration related charges including compulsory third-party insurance, ESL, stamp duty will still be payable when a vehicle is registered.
Can I receive both the upfront subsidy and 3-year registration exemption?
Yes, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
As vehicles are required to be registered before an application can be made, eligible electric vehicle subsidy recipients will receive an additional rebate on the first year’s registration charge ($141 for vehicles first registered in 2022-23 of $148 for vehicles first registered in 2023-24). The following two years registration exemption will be provided as part of future registration renewal process.
How do I receive the registration exemption?
For vehicles where a binding contract of sale was entered into on or before 31 December 2023:
- A rebate on the first year’s registration charge ($141 for vehicles first registered in 2022-23 of $148 for vehicles first registered in 2023-24 will initially be provided as part of approved electric vehicle subsidy payments. No additional application is required.
If you have already received the maximum number of electric vehicle subsidies (1 per individual or 2 per business) and would like to claim a registration exemption for an additional eligible electric vehicle first registered before 30 June 2025, please email dtfelectricvehicles@sa.gov.au for further information on how to apply.
For vehicles purchased after 1 January 2024:
- A separate claim form will be made available to claim the registration exemption. This form will be released shortly.
Are the registration exemptions impacted by the changes to electric vehicle subsidies introduced from 1 January 2024.
No. There have not been any changes made to the registration exemption for electric vehicles. The exemption is still available subject to the criteria being met.
There will be some administrative changes made relating how the first year registration exemption is applied, but this will not impact the availability or timeframes for relief.
Information on further initiatives to support the uptake of electric vehicles are provided on the DEM website.