SPRINGFIELD Lakes has become one of Australia’s leading electric vehicle hotspots, with the Ipswich suburb ranking among the nation’s top 10 postcodes for uptake of the Federal Government’s EV tax discount.
The suburb was the only Queensland postcode to feature in the national top 10, alongside five Victorian suburbs, three in New South Wales and Coombs in the ACT.
Analysis by the National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging Association (NALSPA) found every suburb in the top 10 had rooftop solar installation rates above their respective state or territory averages, highlighting the growing link between home solar and electric vehicle ownership.
For Springfield Lakes resident Mark James, the decision to buy an EV was driven by household economics, not environmental ideals.
“We were spending so much on petrol, so an EV started to make sense.”
With rooftop solar already installed, charging the family’s car at home has delivered even greater savings.
The Federal Government’s electric car discount exempts eligible EVs purchased through novated leases or company fleet arrangements from Fringe Benefits Tax, provided the vehicle falls within the relevant price cap.
NALSPA chief executive Rohan Martin said the figures challenged the perception that EVs were primarily an inner-city purchase.
“Working Australians and their families living in the outer suburbs where rooftop solar is widespread are making the switch to EVs in record numbers, and they’re turning to the electric car discount to help make it a reality,” he said.
For Springfield Lakes mother Fiona Bruns, the savings are felt every week as the family juggles school drop-offs, work commutes and weekend sport.
“We’re driving the kids to school, heading to work and doing the weekend sport runs anyway,” she said.
“If we can do all of that without constantly stopping for petrol, that’s a big saving.”
Mr Martin said government incentives continued to play a crucial role in making electric vehicles affordable for
middle-income households.
“Without this policy, many outer suburban families simply wouldn’t be driving an EV,” he said.
The incentive will change from April 2027, with the full Fringe Benefits Tax exemption limited to eligible EVs priced below $75,000 for two years. Vehicles priced between $75,000 and the Luxury Car Tax threshold will receive a 25 per cent FBT discount, before the concession moves to a flat 25 per cent discount for eligible EVs from April 2029.
