A CANBERRA group of Electric Vehicle (EV) enthusiasts is proposing a set of policies, in the lead-up to the National Electric Vehicle Festival, to be held on Sunday 4 October 2009, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the grounds of the Old Parliament House Lawns in Canberra, Australia.

The group, known as Canberra EV, proposes a range of legislative changes to support Electric Vehicles, which covers electric cars, trucks and buses, and also ships, aircraft, bikes and further means of of transport.

Proposals include grants for purchases of new EVs and for converting vehicles to EVs, in line with the existing program for LPG conversions and new LPG vehicle purchases.

Canberra EV further calls for recharging points and the introduction of Green Vehicle number plates and Electric Vehicle number plates.  These green-coloured plates would give exclusive access to parking spaces with recharging points, free parking at parking meters and in public parking facilities, access to special lanes such as transit lanes and zero stamp duty and registration duties, while getting a rebate for the first year of registration.  More