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.
As at November 2023 there are 5,000 electric vehicle subsidies remaining.
Click here to apply for an electric vehicle subsidy. For more information about the subsidy see below.
Further incentives to support the uptake of electric vehicles are being provided under South Australia’s Electric Vehicle Action Plan.
If you have any queries, please email dtfelectricvehicles@sa.gov.au
A $3,000 subsidy is available for 7,000 new battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles valued below $68,750 (including GST) registered in South Australia from 28 October 2021.
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, consistent with arrangements in other jurisdictions.
See the Subsidy Terms and Conditions for the full eligibility criteria and the FAQs for further information.
Subsidies are initially being provided as a rebate upon application after a vehicle is purchased and registered.
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 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.
Unlike the upfront purchase subsidy, 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 for 7,000 new battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles registered in South Australia from 28 October 2021. A price cap of $68,750 (inclusive of GST) applies.
When does the vehicle need to be purchased to be eligible?
To be eligible for the $3,000 subsidy a vehicle must be first registered on or after 28 October 2021. Any vehicle registered before 28 October 2021 (excluding dealer demonstrator vehicles) will not be eligible for a subsidy.
There is no restriction on when a vehicle was purchased to be eligible for a subsidy. Vehicles purchased before 28 October 2021 and registered for the first time after 28 October 2021 will be eligible for a subsidy.
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
When will the subsidy finish?
The subsidy is available until the 7,000 subsidies have been fully committed.
How will I know if the subsidy is still available?
Information on the number of subsides available will be published on the DTF website.
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.
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?
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.