50% of new cars to be electric vehicles by 2030 under Labor climate change policy

Bill Shorten to flag a new pollution regulation on car retailers and a reboot of the heavily criticised safeguard mechanism

Labor will set a national electric vehicles target of 50% new car sales by 2030, and 50% for the government fleet by 2025, as well as allowing business to deduct a 20% depreciation for private fleet EVs valued at more than $20,000, as part of its climate change policy to be unveiled on Monday.

Bill Shorten will also flag a new pollution regulation on car retailers "in line with" 105g CO2/km for light vehicles, which is consistent with American emissions standards, but will consult on coverage and the timeline to phase in the change rather than impose it immediately.