At the opening keynote of the 2024 Sydney International EV Auto Show, Sally Quinnell MP, Member for Camden, spoke passionately about the future of electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia. Representing the New South Wales (NSW) government and as co-chair of the parliamentary group “Friends of EVs,” Quinnell highlighted both her personal commitment to EVs and the state’s strategic direction. She emphasized, “We need to move the needle quickly in regard to reducing emissions from cars,” noting that almost half of NSW’s transport emissions come from passenger vehicles.
Quinnell outlined the NSW EV strategy, which aims for EVs to constitute over 50% of new car sales by 2030. The government has allocated $260 million to meet this target, with a focus on building charging infrastructure. She stressed the need to make EV charging as ubiquitous as petrol refueling: “We need to make the charging experience as ubiquitous as the petrol experience is now, and more so.” Investment includes $149 million for co-funding ultra-fast charging stations and additional grants for commuter and destination charging points.
Quinnell highlighted the cost-of-living benefits of EVs, sharing her personal experience: “My Tesla app tells me I’ve saved $2,657 in the last 12 months alone by using electricity rather than petrol.” She envisions these savings extending to all families, especially in her electorate, where multi-car households could save upwards of $10,000 annually by switching to EVs.
Addressing affordability, Quinnell acknowledged the higher upfront cost of EVs but pointed out the rapid price reductions due to technological advances and the influx of affordable models at events like the EV Auto Show. She expressed hope that young adults could soon afford $10,000 used EVs, allowing them financial relief on running costs compared to petrol vehicles.
In a memorable closing, Quinnell humorously imagined the challenge of introducing petrol cars if EVs were the standard: “Imagine if all our cars were electric, and I tried to sell you a car with a petrol engine… you’d ask, ‘Is it nice and quiet like my EV? Oh no, actually, they can be quite noisy and smelly.’”
She concluded by reaffirming EVs’ multifaceted benefits: cleaner air, affordability, and practicality. “Electric vehicles tick so many boxes—lower running costs, helping with the cost of living, extra functionality.” With new models and dropping battery prices, she expressed excitement for the future, noting that the EV “curve is about to accelerate faster than my Model 3.”
Quinnell closed by urging attendees to enjoy the show and see firsthand the variety of EVs now available to Australians.
