ACT leads on electric cars but lags on freight truck policy
ACT leads Australia with 44% electric car uptake but scored just 2 out of 10 for freight electrification.
The EV Council's 2026 report shows the ACT leads the country for new electric car registrations, with 44 per cent of cars registered in Canberra now battery electric. Adding plug-in hybrids, over half of new registrations can be plugged in, about double the national average.
The Territory expanded ultra-fast charging to one connector for every 206 electric vehicles. The ACT scored only 2 out of 10 for freight vehicle electrification.
Heavy trucks represent the single biggest unclaimed opportunity in transport electrification, a small fleet slice but outsized emissions share. Forty-six freight industry leaders sent an April letter to the Commonwealth urging a national fuel strategy and calling on states to grant electric trucks road access and incentives.
The ACT Government is identifying locations for charging hubs to support freight vehicles.
- 44 per cent
- New car registrations (battery electric)
- 2 out of 10
- Freight electrification score
- 1 per 206 battery-electric vehicles
- DC connector ratio
- 46 signatories in April
- Freight leaders' open letter
Why it mattersElectrifying heavy freight is essential to cut Australia's transport emissions and fuel imports, but governments are lagging behind industry readiness to make the switch.
AustraliaThe ACT is leading the electric car transition but freight operators in Canberra and across Australia lack the policy support to switch to electric trucks, potentially leaving Australia behind other major freight economies.
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