The federal government is banking on up to half of new car sales by 2030 being electric vehicles in order to reach Australia's emissions reduction goal, but insists a target isn't involved.
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The national electric vehicle strategy is slated for release in the middle of next year.
It will outline current barriers to Australians purchasing EVs and point to ways the nation can benefit from a bigger market.
"But it will not impose a target," an environment department spokesman told AAP.
"This will still give consumers choice in the type of vehicle they drive, while allowing for more EVs to enter the market."
Although without a target, the strategy uses industry research which says a coordinated approach will result in 25 to 50 per cent of new vehicle sales in 2030 to be EVs.
The coalition's plan to meet the Paris emissions reduction goal - of 26 to 28 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030 - includes 10Mt of abatement though more EVs.
However, this represents a tiny fraction of the overall target to lower emissions by 328 Mt.
Chargefox CEO Marty Andrews expects about 25 per cent of new car sales to be electric models by 2030 regardless of a national policy.
"I don't think we'll get to 50 per cent without a bit of government support," Mr Andrews told AAP on Thursday.
This could include subsidies, removing luxury vehicle taxes on EVs and allowing EVs to travel on transit lanes on freeways, he suggests.
A full charge costs about one-quarter to one-third the price of a tank of petrol, with some models costing about $500 to $600 per year.
But the majority of charging is done at home, Mr Andrews added.
Chargefox currently has five stations - one in Brisbane's Toombul and four in Victoria, from the edge of the NSW border down to Torquay.
The company has announced a further 17 locations in its goal for a national network of stations powered by renewables.
The rollout is partly funded by $6 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, which has a total of $21 million to spend on charging infrastructure.
The federal government launched an extraordinary attack on Labor's electric vehicle policy - for 50 per cent of sales to be EVs by 2030 - during the federal election campaign.
Labor is reviewing its entire suite of policies as the party regroups after May's loss.
The Electric Vehicle Council last month said just more than 2000 EVs were sold in Australia last year, compared to 2.1 million globally.
But sales have increased significantly this year.
Australian Associated Press
