Hybrid drivers “double-charged, overcharged” in EV tax scheme

Victorians who drive electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are being slugged with unfair charges under a tax scheme the Greens say has been a “dog’s breakfast” from the start.

The Victorian government in 2021 introduced the Australian-first zero and low emission vehicle charge in a bid to level the playing field for drivers given those with the greener cars paid nothing or little towards maintaining the state’s roads.

Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass has fielded more than 30 complaints about the scheme.

In an investigative report tabled in parliament on Wednesday, the ombudsman suggested the Department of Transport and Planning treated drivers under the scheme with a blanket approach and failed to exercise discretion when it should have.