Guidelines - Deliver-e Small Business Grants

The Transport Emissions Reduction and Resilience Plan 2024-29 (Transport Plan), released in September 2024, includes two actions to support small businesses to invest in two different forms of electric transport – cargo e-bikes for last mile deliveries, and electric delivery vans. Last mile delivery is a logistics term for the last step in a product’s delivery process. Funding of $300,000 from the Transport Plan is allocated for these two actions.

Road transport is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sub-sector, and transitioning to electric vehicles is an important way to reduce these emissions. Battery electric delivery vans have been demonstrated as effective for short- to medium-distance deliveries, while cargo e-bikes are viable as last mile options.

While electric vehicles are becoming more common, there are not many battery electric delivery vans on Tasmanian roads. The cost of purchasing an electric vehicle has reduced over time. However, there is still a cost difference between battery electric and internal combustion engine delivery vans, which is a barrier to purchase.

The Deliver-e Small Business Grant Program (the program) aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Tasmania’s transport sub-sector. The program incentivises small businesses to purchase cargo e‑bikes and battery electric delivery vans for last mile and short- to medium‑length delivery of goods and services.

The Tasmanian Government has allocated $300,000 for the program to support businesses to purchase battery electric delivery vans and cargo e-bikes.

Grants of $20,000 each are available towards the purchase of a battery electric delivery van. Grants of $2,500 each are available towards the purchase of a cargo e-bike, capped at the purchase price of the cargo e-bike if below $2,500. The vehicles must be purchased from an Australian-based retailer and meet the eligibility criteria in this document.

The total grant funding is capped at $25,000 for each eligible organisation. Possible combinations are a battery electric delivery van, up to 10 cargo e-bikes, or a battery electric delivery van with up to two cargo e-bikes.

Applications will be assessed in order of receipt using the eligibility criteria.

The program has limited funding. Applications will close when the funding has been fully allocated.

For any queries about the eligibility criteria, contact the Climate Change Office by email at climatechange@recfit.tas.gov.au

To be eligible for a grant you must meet all of the following requirements:

• be registered for tax purposes in Australia with an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be a small business with no more than 19 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees  (note 1)
• be currently operating and located in Tasmania
• have an annual business sales turnover of between $50,000 and $10 million in the 2022-23 or 2023-24 financial year (note 2)
• if you are a sole operator who has no paid employees, you must also have derived at least 50 per cent of your total annual income in the 2022-23 or 2023-24 financial year from the business.

Applications submitted by a third party will not be accepted without evidence of permission from the main applicant in the application.

You may be asked to provide information or documentation to support your eligibility claims, either as part of the application process, or after you have submitted your application.

The information you provide may be subject to authenticity checks using third party software.

This program has limited funding. Not all eligible applications will receive a grant. Only one application is permitted per ABN and/or business operation. If a business wishes to purchase multiple vehicles, they must all be included as part of one single application.

Notes:

1.  A full-time equivalent employee (FTE) is one or more employees who work 38 hours each week. For example, if one employee works 18 hours per week and another employee works 20 hours per week, the total FTE = 1. The nominated FTE number should exclude the business owner/s.

2.  Turnover is defined as total sales of goods and services to customers by the applicant (exclusive of GST).

Regardless of whether you meet the other eligibility criteria, you will NOT be eligible for a grant if you are:

• a business with more than 19 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
• a business that is for sale, trading insolvent, under external administration or bankrupt at the time of submitting an application
• an investment entity that solely generates passive turnover from residential and commercial property investment and/or the passive renting of property
• a local, state or Australian government entity
• a government business enterprise or state-owned company
• an applicant who has already been approved to receive a grant in this program. Only one successful application per ABN and/or business operation is permitted
• a licenced motor vehicle trader.

Any new cargo e-bike or battery electric delivery van purchased on or after 6 February 2025, through an Australian-based retailer, is eligible for a grant. For the purposes of this program, the date of payment of a deposit is considered to be the purchase date.

The grants are not available for the purchase of non-cargo e-bikes or non-delivery vans.

The total grant funding is capped at $25,000 for each eligible organisation. The total grant funding received can be any combination of battery electric delivery van and cargo e-bike grants, up to the total amount.

Definitions for each category are detailed below.

Cargo e-bikes

A cargo e-bike is a type of e-bike that is designed specifically to carry luggage or equipment. They are rated to hold a greater load than a standard e-bike. For the purposes of this program, a cargo e-bike is considered one that is rated to at least a 180-kilogram weight capacity, including cargo and rider.

In addition to being rated to at least 180 kilograms, cargo e-bikes must meet the Tasmanian Government definition of an e-bike.

An e-bike (regular or cargo-sized) is defined under the Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999 and Road Rules 2019 as:

• a bicycle with an auxiliary motor(s) with a power output or combined power output of not more than 200 watts
• a ‘power-assisted pedal cycle’ as defined by the relevant Australian Design Rule (ADR), which has a maximum continued power output of 250 watts that progressively reduces as the cycle’s speed increases, and cuts off when the cycle reaches a speed of 25 kilometres per hour or the cyclist stops pedalling.

Battery electric delivery vans

A delivery van is one that is specifically designed for the transportation of goods or equipment. To be eligible for a grant, the delivery van must be:

• a battery electric vehicle
• able to be registered as a motor vehicle with a van body type in Tasmania
• able to be registered with a maximum of three occupant capacity in Tasmania.

A dropdown list of electric delivery vans that are known to meet these criteria is included in the application form. This list is subject to change.

The following criteria apply to both cargo e-bikes and battery electric delivery vans. These items are not eligible for purchase with the grant funding:

• purchases made before the commencement of the program (6 February 2025)
• second-hand or demonstrator model vans or e-bikes
• accessories or optional add-ons
• branding applied to purchased vehicles
• vans or e-bikes that are managed or leased through a Lease or Fleet Management Organisation
• vans or e-bikes that have been registered or received a government rebate, grant or subsidy in other Australian states or territories (excluding Fringe Benefits)
• charging infrastructure or the installation of charging infrastructure.

Cargo e-bikes

The following purchases are not eligible:

• electric motorbikes or scooters
• non-electric bicycles
• kits to convert a regular bike to an electric bike
• motorised mobility scooters and wheelchairs
• e-bikes that are not cargo e-bikes, (not rated to hold at least 180 kilograms)
• devices that exceed a speed of 25 kilometres per hour when powered by the motor on level ground (according to product specifications)
• a bicycle with an auxiliary motor(s) with a power output of more than 200 watts
• a power-assisted pedal cycle that has a maximum continued power output of more than 250 watts (according to product specifications).

Battery electric delivery vans

The following purchases are not eligible:

• vehicles that do not have a van body-type
• vehicles that are registered to seat more than three people
• internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles
• plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)
• hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)
• retrofitted battery electric vehicles
• electric motorbikes or scooters.

This grant program is not competitive. This means applications will be assessed in the order we receive them. Grants will be offered subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and any additional information provided as part of the application process.

To help assess eligibility, applicants are to provide as part of their application:

• All details requested in mandatory fields in the application form on SmartyGrants.
• A formal document issued in the past month that shows the current business address. Some examples include a utility bill, government-issued correspondence, customer tax invoice.
• A copy of the most recent tax return as submitted to the Australian Taxation Office that demonstrates annual business sales turnover for either the 2022-23 or 2023-24 financial year.
• An itemised quotation from an Australian-based retailer(s) that includes:
  • a date of quotation that is no more than 14 days prior to the program opening (6 February 2025)
  • a detailed description of the vehicle(s) to be purchased
  • the total price of the vehicle(s), including GST
  • estimated delivery time of vehicle(s).

If your application for a grant is successful, you will be asked to provide evidence that an order has been placed and a deposit of at least 10 per cent of the purchase price for each cargo e-bike and/or battery electric delivery van has been paid before the approved grant can be paid. Information about how to provide this evidence will be provided when you are notified of your application outcome. This proof must be provided within 21 days of notification of a successful application.

Once the delivery of your battery electric delivery van and/or cargo e-bike(s) has been completed, you will be required to acquit your grant. Please see the Acquittal section of these program guidelines for more information (Section 12 below).

Grant funding can only be used for the purpose outlined in the application and which has been approved through the assessment process.

Changes to the approved purpose will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and only after a thorough reassessment process.

The program will open at 10:00 am on Thursday, 6 February 2025 and close when the $300,000 funding has been fully allocated. Once the program is closed, SmartyGrants will no longer accept new applications.

If funding becomes available to be re-released, due to ineligible applications or incomplete applications, it will be released on Tuesdays at 10:00 am AEDT. Details of how this funding can be accessed will be published on the ReCFIT website.

During the assessment process the department may, at its discretion, require further information to support or clarify an application. This information must be provided within three working days, unless otherwise advised. If the applicant does not provide further requested information within the timeframe, the application may be unsuccessful.

Evidence of order placement and a deposit of at least 10 per cent of the purchase price for each cargo e bike and/or battery electric delivery van must be provided within 21 days of notification of a successful application. Information on how to provide this evidence will be provided when an applicant is notified.

Acquittal must occur within six months of grant payment. Extensions due to vehicle delivery delays will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applications will not be accepted after the program closes.

Applications should be submitted online using the SmartyGrants system.

For assistance using SmartyGrants, please see the applicant help guide

Contact us to discuss any issue preventing you from using SmartyGrants to submit your application.

Application process:

1. Prepare: Read the program guidelines before starting your application. The guidelines are available on our website: recfit.tas.gov.au/deliver-e
2. Gather: Ensure you have all documentation required, as detailed in the Assessment section of these program guidelines (Section 4 above).
3. Start application: The application form is available at: recfit.tas.gov.au/deliver-e
4. Apply: Ensure all information and documentation is accurate and attached. You may not be able to change an application or provide additional information after you submit your application.
5. Submit application: You will receive an email notification after you submit your application. Keep this notification as confirmation of your submission.
6. Assessment: Applications will be assessed by us.
7. Notification: We will notify you of the outcome of your application by email.
8. Proof of order and grant funding agreement: If approved, you will need to provide confirmation that you have placed an order and paid a deposit for the vehicle(s), provide a valid invoice for the approved grant amount, and sign a grant funding agreement if your grant is greater than $10,001. See section 8 for more information on grant funding agreements. We will let you know how to provide this evidence, which must be provided within 21 days of being advised of a successful outcome.
9. Payment: Once you have provided your order confirmation, we will process your grant payment. See Section 9 for more information on grant payments.
10. Acquittal: Once your vehicle(s) have arrived, an acquittal statement will be required to confirm the grant was completed as intended. Further information is available in the Acquittal section of these program guidelines (Section 12 below).

You may be asked to provide additional information or documentation after you have submitted your application.

You must provide this information within three working days, unless otherwise advised. If you don’t provide the information within the timeframe, the application may be deemed unsuccessful.

The information you provide may be subject to authenticity checks using third party software.

If you return your grant assisted purchase, you will be required to contact the Climate Change Office to return the grant funds you received.

This program is administered by the Department of State Growth on behalf of the Crown in Right of Tasmania.

For queries about this program, contact:

• Climate Change Office, Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania (ReCFIT)
• Email: climatechange@recfit.tas.gov.au
• Phone: (03) 6166 4466

Grants less than or equal to $10,000

If you are successful and your total grant is for less than or equal to $10,000, these program guidelines and your application will form the funding agreement. There will be no separate funding agreement.

Payment will be processed based on the information provided in your application once confirmation of the order has been provided.

Grants equal to or more than $10,001

If your total application is successful, you will be required to enter a legally binding funding agreement for grants equal to or more than $10,001.

The funding agreement, along with these program guidelines, provide the grant terms and conditions.

If you receive approval for a grant, information will be provided on how to complete the required funding agreement. Once the funding agreement is completed, we can process payment.

If your application is successful, you will be asked to issue a valid tax invoice for the total approved grant amount.

Invoices should be lodged through SmartyGrants where specified. Alternatively, the invoice can be addressed to:

Attention Climate Change Office, ReCFIT

Department of State Growth

GPO BOX 536

HOBART TAS   7001

ABN: 36 388 980 563

You will be required to return some or all the funds if:

• you do not complete the activities required under the funding agreement – that is, you do not proceed with the purchase of the vehicle(s) included in the application
• you do not use any or all of the funding provided
• your situation changes in a way that prevents completion of the grant or
• we find that the information provided to us is false or misleading.

If your application is successful, you must provide an acquittal at the conclusion of the grant.

An acquittal is a statement that confirms the grant was completed as per the funding agreement.

10.1. How to acquit your grant

We will send you an acquittal form using SmartyGrants.

Your acquittal must include:

• a receipt or receipts that show full payment for all vehicles purchased with the grant
• registration of battery electric delivery van(s) purchased with the grant (if applicable).

Acquittal must occur within six months of grant payment. Extensions due to vehicle delivery delays will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

We will also ask you to complete a short survey on the use of vehicles purchased with the grant. This will be sent out six months after the completion of your acquittal form. The purpose of the survey is to help us design future programs.

We may ask you to provide a Statement of Expenditure certified by an independent, professional auditor. You will be responsible for the cost of obtaining the certified Statement of Expenditure.

10.2. Failure to complete an acquittal

If you do not satisfactorily acquit your grant by the due date:

• you may be required to return the funding to State Growth; and
• you may be ineligible for other grants from State Growth.

Contact us to discuss any issue preventing you from acquitting your grant.

If your application is unsuccessful, you may appeal the decision.

The appeals process ensures that all applicants have been treated fairly.

We will consider appeals that relate to administrative process issues in grants management.

All requests must be in writing and addressed to Director, Climate Change. Your request must be received within 28 days from the date of State Growth notifying you of the decision about your application.

For further information about the appeal process, contact climatechange@recfit.tas.gov.au

Grants distributed under this program may be treated as income by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

We strongly recommend that, prior to applying, you seek independent advice from a tax advisor, financial advisor and/or the ATO, about the possible tax implications of receiving the grant.

Grants distributed under this program attract Goods and Services Tax (GST).

If you are registered for GST, the grant amount will include GST. A valid tax invoice must be supplied by the successful applicant to State Growth.

Information on invoices can be found on the Business Tasmania website: www.business.tas.gov.au/manage_a_business/invoices

State Growth is accountable for its spending of public funds, including providing grants. As part of the accountability process, State Growth may publicise, without further notice, information about the grants provided, including the level of financial assistance, the identity of the recipient, and the purpose of the financial assistance.

If you have received a grant from State Growth:

• despite any confidentiality or intellectual property right subsisting in the grant funding agreement or deed, a party may publish all or any part of the grant funding agreement or deed without reference to another party, and you consent to the disclosure of your name in this context
• all obligations under the Personal Information Protection Act 2004 (Tas) still apply.

You must take care to provide true and accurate information. Any information that is found to be false or misleading may result in action being taken and grant funds, if already provided, may be required to be repaid to State Growth.

Information provided to State Growth may be subject to disclosure in accordance with the Right to Information Act 2009.

Personal information will be managed in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act 2004. This information may be accessed by the individual to whom it relates, on request to State Growth.

State Growth may use and disclose the information you provide for the purposes of discharging its functions under the Program Guidelines and otherwise for the purposes of the program and related uses. State Growth may also use information received in applications and during the delivery of the project for reporting purposes.

Although care has been taken in the preparation of this document, no warranty, express or implied, is given by the Crown in Right of Tasmania, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information it contains.

The Crown in Right of Tasmania accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage that may arise from anything contained in or omitted from or that may arise from the use of this document, and any person relying on this document and the information it contains does so at their own risk absolutely.

The Crown in Right of Tasmania does not accept liability or responsibility for any loss incurred by an applicant that are in any way related to the program.