EV Targets Aren’t the Problem. It’s Whether We Can Actually Reach Them

Australia’s 2035 EV targets aren’t the issue, it’s whether we can actually achieve them. Inspired by the latest VACC release, Auto Tech Group says ambition must be backed by real investment.

Australia has set its sights high: a 62–70% emissions reduction by 2035. On paper, it looks bold and inspiring. But here’s the uncomfortable truth—targets aren’t the problem. Achievability is.

Don’t get us wrong—we’re all for ambitious, achievable targets. We should be aiming high and driving toward a cleaner, greener future. But the gap between what’s being promised and what’s actually possible in Australia right now is wide enough to drive a semi-trailer through.

The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) recently released a media statement raising these exact concerns. Their message is clear: without significant investment in charging infrastructure, workforce development, and industry support, the government’s ambitious 2035 goals risk being more slogan than strategy.

The Funding Black Hole

The Federal Government’s $40 million pledge to accelerate EV charging sounds impressive until you realise it’s a fraction of what’s needed. Spread across metropolitan, regional, and rural Australia, it won’t come close to eliminating charging or range anxiety.

This isn’t a question of ambition—it’s a question of scale. And right now, the scale simply doesn’t match the targets.

The Skills Crisis

Even if we had the chargers, who’s going to service the cars? Victoria doesn’t have enough EV-ready workshops or qualified technicians to meet 2030 demand, let alone 2035.

At Auto Tech Group, we’ve been investing in ongoing EV training across our workshops to prepare for this shift. But one group can’t fix a nationwide skills shortage. Without government-backed training programs to bring more workshops and technicians up to speed, the EV transition will falter long before it succeeds.

Lessons We Refuse to Learn

The VACC is right to push the alarm button. Australia has a history of setting bold targets without funding the delivery. The result? Targets missed, opportunities wasted, and public trust eroded.

If the government is serious about EVs, here’s what has to change:

• More than token funding – A charging network that actually reaches everyone, not just a handful of city commuters.

• Real training investment – Upskill technicians nationwide so Australians can trust their EVs will be serviced safely.

• Support for workshops – Help businesses adapt their facilities instead of leaving them to shoulder the cost alone.

• Practical consumer incentives – Make EVs accessible for more families, not just the early adopters.

Our Take at Auto Tech Group

The idea of transitioning to EVs isn’t wrong. The targets themselves aren’t the enemy. But unless they’re matched with proper investment and planning, they risk being nothing more than headlines.

We’re all for ambitious, achievable targets—but without the infrastructure, skills, and industry support to back them up, Australia’s 2035 climate goals will stay stuck in the slow lane.