MEDIA RELEASE - Electrifying Homes and Businesses Crucial to Securing Lower Bills and Energy Stability, Says New National Initiative

Rewiring Australia has joined a coalition of leading consumer, business, civil society and research organisations to launch the Electrify Australia campaign at Parliament House with Energy Minister Chris Bowen today.

The campaign calls for regulation, policy changes and support from governments to help households, agriculture and industry to replace gas, petrol, and diesel powered appliances, manufacturing equipment and vehicles with more efficient electric alternatives powered by cheap, Australian-made renewable electricity.

Thousands of dollars' worth of energy bill savings, improved productivity and protection from volatile global fuel price shocks are among the many benefits of electrification for Australia's households and businesses. 

Efficient electric appliances powered by locally produced renewable energy can save households around $2,000 annually on energy bills, while industrial heat pumps and commercial electric vehicle fleets offer lower total operating costs for businesses.

Rewiring Australia Chief Scientist, Saul Griffith, who is speaking at the launch, said: "Every household’s next appliance needs to be electric. Swapping out inefficient and expensive gas and fossil fuel systems for appliances powered by cheap, home-grown renewable electricity can save families around $2,000 a year on energy bills, while eliminating indoor health risks like gas-related asthma."

Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) CEO Dr Brendan French said:  “Governments and policymakers must now provide strong, unequivocal messaging to all consumers on electrification’s benefits, clear pathways and timetables on the way forward and robust, definitive policies to achieve it. 

“We also need targeted support to consumers, especially renters, those living in social housing, First Nations communities,  low-income households and small businesses, to help ensure electrification’s unquestionable benefits are within everyone's reach.”

Energy Efficiency Council CEO, Luke Menzel said: "We're world leaders at rolling out solar, wind and batteries. Electrification is the final piece of the puzzle that will put all that clean energy to work, by swapping petrol and diesel vehicles with EVs, and replacing gas equipment with efficient, electric alternatives.”

Green Building Council of Australia CEO, Davina Rooney said: “Replacing gas with efficient electric technology can cut energy use and running costs, while making our homes and workplaces ready for a renewable energy future. This is practical technology that exists today and can deliver benefits now.”

Electric Vehicle Council CEO, Julie Delvecchio said: “While Australians are moving to electric cars in unprecedented numbers, we know that more needs to be done to electrify our freight sector which runs on expensive, imported, polluting diesel.”

Key Policy Priorities

Electrify Australia’s key policy priorities to electrify Australia’s homes, farms and businesses:

• Electrify homes: Provide targeted support for renters, low-income households, First Nations communities, and social housing to access efficient electric appliances - like rooftop solar, batteries and heat pump split-systems.
• Back farmers: Support farmers to replace equipment well suited to electrification, and remove outdated regulatory rules preventing farmers from sharing generated renewable energy across property titles.
• Accelerate electric transport: Incentivise businesses to transition to electric freight vehicles, and introduce an Accessible EVs program to lower the cost for households.
• Reform fuel subsidies: Cap Fuel Tax Credit claims by the largest mining companies and redirect savings towards technologies that reduce diesel use, while protecting farmers and small and medium businesses.
• Electrify industry: Support manufacturers to adopt industrial heat pumps and other technologies, with the right support for jobs and skills 
• Get the grid right: Fund 'Connecting the Suburbs' and 'Connecting  the Regions' programs to speed up network upgrades and grid connections. 
• Electrify commercial buildings: Strengthen finance and procurement settings to encourage businesses to electrify their assets and accelerate disclosure.

The Electrify Australia campaign is backed by more than 30 organisations including Energy Consumers Australia, the Energy Efficiency Council, Rewiring Australia, the Green Building Council of Australia, the Electric Vehicle Council, Farmers for Climate Action and Beyond Zero Emissions.

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