Rebates for electric vehicle purchases

Important changes from 1 January 2024

The rebate for eligible EV purchases ended on 31 December 2023.   

Individuals and businesses that purchased or placed a deposit on an eligible EV prior to 1 January 2024 will be eligible to receive the rebate, regardless of whether the vehicle has been delivered by that date. This ensures that purchasers who were unable to register their vehicle by 31 December 2023 are not disadvantaged by delays in delivery.   

Applications lodged from 1 January 2024 will require proof of purchase (i.e. a contract to purchase) and deposit payment (where applicable), to indicate that the purchase or deposit payment was made prior to 1 January 2024.

If you purchased or made a deposit on an eligible electric vehicle with a dutiable value of less than $68,750 before 1 January 2024, you can claim a $3,000 cash rebate.

Click here to download guidelines (PDF 175.73KB)

Click here to claim your rebate

Electric Vehicle Rebate Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria and Application Process

The Electric Vehicle Rebate ended on 31 December 2023. This page contains information on the eligibility criteria and application process, including transitional arrangements allowing applications to be made after 1 January 2024.

Eligibility criteria for rebates

Who can apply for a rebate?

NSW residents who purchased a new BEV or FCEV and register that vehicle for personal use in NSW can access the rebate. If an individual has claimed a rebate in another state or territory for the same vehicle, they will not be eligible for a rebate. One rebate will be available per individual. 

A business or organisation is eligible for the rebate on a new BEV or FCEV that was purchased and registered for business usage in NSW, if that business or organisation has less than 10 vehicles registered in NSW at the time of registration. If a business or organisation has claimed a rebate in another state or territory for the same vehicle(s) it will not be eligible for a rebate. Rebates will be available for up to two vehicles for eligible businesses and organisations. 

For both individuals and businesses, the purchase or deposit payment must have been made by 31 December 2023.

Under this scheme, a business is defined as “an individual, partnership, company or trust that is carrying on a business in NSW”. “Organisations” eligible under this scheme include non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local government councils. 

Vehicles procured through leasing arrangements by individuals or businesses / organisations will not be eligible for the rebate. However, the lessor who purchases the vehicle may be eligible for the Electric Fleets Incentive and be able to pass on a lower price to the lessee. 

Businesses that have a fleet of at least 10 registered vehicles in NSW will not be eligible for the rebate but may be able to access the NSW Electric Fleets Incentive.

What electric vehicles does it apply to?

Rebates are available for new light (weighing a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4.5 tonnes or less) BEVs and FCEVs with a dutiable value of less than $68,750 that are registered on or after 1 September 2021.

Under this scheme, a new vehicle is defined as a vehicle being registered for the first time ever. 

A BEV is a battery electric vehicle which uses only an electric motor for propulsion and runs entirely on battery power, requiring no petrol.  

A FCEV is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle which uses only an electric motor for propulsion and is equipped with a fuel cell for converting hydrogen to electricity.  

The dutiable value of a new vehicle is the total amount paid (including GST) for the vehicle, which includes delivery costs, accessories and options added to the vehicle (e.g. towbar, special wheels, paint protection etc) and any other charges or fees levied by the dealer on the purchaser.  

NSW Government charges administered by Transport for NSW, such as registration fees and vehicle weight tax, the cost of CTP insurance or the premium paid for any extended warranty insurance are not included. 

The rebate will be available for new light BEVs and FCEVs in the following categories:  

  • passenger vehicles  

  • sports utility vehicles  

  • light trucks/light commercial vehicles.  

The rebate cannot be used for the procurement of:  

  • second-hand BEVs or FCEVs 

  • grey imports (vehicles not purchased directly through manufacturer-approved dealerships) 

  • hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles  

  • heavy trucks and other types of heavy vehicles 

  • motorcycles (off road, road, scooters, mopeds, e-bikes, ATV/SSV – side by side vehicle) 

  • trailers and caravans 

  • airplanes 

  • boats 

  • any other vehicle which is not included in the list above of eligible categories. 

Examples of BEVs and FCEVs that, subject to pricing and eligibility requirements, may qualify for this rebate can be found here

When does the electric vehicle need to be purchased and registered to be eligible?

To be eligible for a rebate, you must have purchased, or at least placed a deposit payment on, the vehicle by 31 December 2023. The rebates are no longer available for new purchases and deposits made from 1 January 2024. You must have registered the vehicle for the first time on or after 1 September 2021. When applying for a rebate you must show proof of purchase.

Vehicles eligible for a rebate will also be eligible for a stamp duty exemption. Registration is the point when stamp duty would be payable on a new vehicle registration or a transfer of ownership and must also be on or after 1 September 2021 to be eligible for an exemption. Please see Electric Vehicle Stamp Duty Exemption Guidelines for more details on the stamp duty exemption.

Is a rebate available to cover costs under a novated leasing arrangement?

The rebate cannot be used for vehicles procured under a novated leasing arrangement. 

How long do people have to own the electric vehicle after they receive a rebate?

There is no minimum holding period for vehicles that receive a rebate.

Is there a limit on how many rebates an individual can claim?  

NSW residents who purchase a new BEV or FCEV for private/personal purposes, and register the vehicle in NSW, can access the rebate. One rebate will be available per individual. 

Is there a limit on how many rebates an eligible business can claim?

Businesses and organisations that have less than 10 vehicles to support their operations in NSW at the time of applying for the rebate can access the rebate for up to two new vehicles. 

How will the rebate apply to dealer demonstrator vehicles?

Dealers will not be able to claim as a business for the purchase of dealer demonstrator vehicles.  

Demonstrator vehicles sold to consumers are considered second-hand vehicles and are not eligible for a rebate.

Are vehicles purchased interstate eligible for the NSW rebate scheme?

If you purchased and have accessed an electric vehicle rebate in another state or territory on the vehicle you are seeking to claim a rebate on in NSW, then you are not eligible to claim a NSW rebate.

Are vehicles purchased overseas eligible for the NSW rebate scheme?

If you purchased an electric vehicle from overseas that was not imported through a manufacturer-approved dealership (often referred to as a grey import), then you are not eligible to claim a rebate. Grey imports are considered second-hand vehicles. 

Application process

When and how can a rebate be applied for?

A rebate can be applied for from 1 November 2021 (for purchases or deposits made by 31 December 2023). You can apply for a rebate via the NSW Government online application portal. 

What information do you need to apply for a rebate?

Evidence required during the application process includes: 

  • Current and valid NSW Driver Licence (for individual or business contact person, which matches the registration details) 

  • Certificate of Registration (which shows a registration number, registration history, registered owner, vehicle use, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), a duty paid amount) 

  • Contract to purchase the eligible vehicle indicating the sale price and deposit payment (where applicable). If the purchase was not completed by 31 December 2023, a deposit would be required prior to 1 January 2024. 

  • Deposit receipt (where applicable), dated on or before 31 December 2023. 

  • Tax invoice if it is an interstate purchase or purchase from Tesla, Polestar and Vyro.

When will a rebate be paid?

Within 15 business days from the completed application submission, Revenue NSW will review information provided and will notify applicants if they have been successful.  

If the rebate is to be granted, Revenue NSW will proceed to transfer the funds to the bank account nominated by the customer within 5 business days of notification of successful application. 

Do you need to apply separately for a rebate and a duty refund?

Separate applications for a rebate and a duty refund are required, however both applications are available through a single online portal.

You can find out more about electric vehicle stamp duty exemptions here.

 

What personal or business details are required to apply for a rebate?

If you are applying as an individual, you will be required to provide: 

  • Transport for NSW Customer Number 

  • Copy of NSW Driver Licence 

  • Copy of Certificate of Registration 

  • Name 

  • Date of birth 

  • Mailing address 

  • Email  

  • Phone number. 

If you are applying as a business, you will be required to provide: 

  • Transport for NSW Customer Number 

  • Copy of NSW Driver Licence of business contact person 

  • Copy of Certificate of Registration 

  • Company or business name 

  • ABN, ACN or ABRN  

  • Contact person name 

  • Contact mailing address 

  • Contact email 

  • Contact phone number. 

What vehicle details are required to apply for a rebate?

The following vehicle details are required for a rebate application: 

  • Date of first registration 

  • Declare that the vehicle is not managed or leased through a Fleet Management Organisation 

  • Declare that no other rebates have been claimed on the vehicle 

  • Sale price and market value 

  • Duty amount paid 

  • Registration plate number of vehicle 

  • Vehicle make 

  • Vehicle model 

  • VIN. 

For questions about the eligibility criteria and help with rebate applications, please contact the Revenue NSW Electric Vehicle team:  

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