The Queensland state government will be handing out $3,000 to brand new electric vehicle (EV) buyers in a bid to drive up the uptake of low emissions transport amid concerns high EV costs remain out of range of everyday Australians. The deal will apply to the first 15,000 Queenslanders looking to buy EVs under $58,000, costing taxpayers to the tune of $45 million. “We are going to make the cost of buying electric cars just that little bit cheaper,” said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Currently, in Australia, there are 23 EVs available, according to CarsGuide. However, only five are within the eligibility threshold, including the MG ZS EV, Hyundai Ioniq electric, Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona electric, and the Mini Cooper SE. An extra $10 million will go towards co-funding new public charging stations, adding to the state’s existing electric super highway of 31 fast charging stations along its eastern coastline. …