Stepping on the accelerator to meet our carbon neutral targets

Rebates for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles will be introduced next month -- with fees on higher emitting vehicles to help fund the scheme starting next year.

The rebates will be up to 8,625 dollars for new vehicles and 3,450 dollars for used.

Transport Minister Michael Wood says there are significant benefits to owning an EV.

He says charging an EV at home at peak is the same as filling up a petrol car at around 40 cents per litre, depending on your electricity retailer.

Wood says battery EV motors have so few moving parts, there is less to maintain and less to go wrong.