The number of electric vehicles on ACT roads has reached 15,000.

Figures released this week show battery electric vehicles have increased from just 400 in 2019 to now account for close to five per cent of all registered vehicles in Canberra.

The ACT branch of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) says the shift is already having a noticeable impact on transport emissions.

“Electric vehicles in all their forms are making a big impact on transport in Canberra,” AEVA ACT advocacy lead Paul Wayper said.

“We now have 19 light rail vehicles, over 100 electric buses and 15,000 electric cars. All of these vehicles are reducing our dependence on imported fuel and removing pollution from the air that Canberrans breathe.”

Despite the milestone, AEVA says the pace of growth needs to accelerate if the ACT is to meet its emissions targets.

“EV numbers need to grow much faster though if we are to address the ACT’s high transportation emissions and meet the ACT Government’s target of 80 per cent EV sales by 2030,” Mr Wayper said.

New EV registrations in the ACT have remained relatively steady at about 3500 each year for the past three years.

The organisation argues broader reforms are needed to drive further uptake, including changes to motor vehicle stamp duty based on tailpipe emissions to encourage buyers toward lower-emission options.