Taking the wheel: drivers may soon supervise their cars
Self-driving cars are being tested on Australian roads but motorists and experts are divided about whether they will drive greater safety or greater problems.
automotive equipment
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environmental issue
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Electric car safety check could spark second-hand sales
It is the most expensive and vital element of an electric vehicle and more companies are offering to test it to rev up the used car market.
Company accelerates electric truck parcel deliveries
Quiet and clean, if costly: an Australian delivery business says more companies should adopt electric trucks ahead of World EV Day.
auto trends
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consumers
diesel fuel
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
Hybrid sales accelerate but diesel utes claim top spots
Hybrid and electric vehicles are closing the gap on their petrol and diesel equivalents in Australia but the race remains slow and steady.
Thousands of electric SUVs recalled over injury risk
One of Australia's most popular electric vehicle brands has been subject to a product recall over a fault with one of its safety systems.
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Charge ahead: road taxes may be closer than they appear
A road user charge targeting electric vehicle drivers is gaining widespread approval but how it will work and when it will arrive remains up for debate.
Electric goes large: low-emission utes, vans get a show
Utes that can be plugged in and vans that run on batteries have gone on show in Australia for the first time, which experts say is proof the market has moved.
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‘Not good enough’: electric vehicles fail range claims
Both electric and petrol-powered vehicles are failing to meet advertised promises, on-road tests reveal, which experts say is unacceptable.
Plug-in hybrids speed up, EVs slow down in record month
Australian drivers have broken car sales records but some vehicle types are proving significantly more popular than others.
Surprise gas guzzlers identified in vehicle road tests
Several popular cars consume more petrol than their manufacturers promise, tests show, and hybrid vehicles are among some of the worst offenders.
China set to dominate Aussie vehicle import market
Almost half of new vehicles sold in Australia could be made in China within a decade, a study has found, as the nation moves to low-emission transport.
Uber makes app changes to take more seniors for a ride
More than one in every three older Australians finds transport difficult to organise, a study has found, prompting a ride-share company to make changes.
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Power up: boost for roadside electric vehicle chargers
Electric vehicle drivers will be able to recharge in more places after a substantial infrastructure investment designed to generate wider adoption.
auto trends
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consumers
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economy (general)
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Utes dominate vehicles sales and push BYD past Tesla
Australia's love affair with the ute has dominated new vehicle sales during June, but one hybrid model has had an unusual impact on Australia's auto market.
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A long haul: electric trucks still face speed bumps
Questions about the price of low-emission trucks, how they can be charged and where they can be driven are slowing down pollution cuts, an inquiry has heard.
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Sparks fly over competition in electric car charging
Australian drivers need more access to electric car chargers, an inquiry has heard, but companies are split over who should be allowed to deliver them.
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More EVs, fewer V8s: changes coming for Aussie drivers
Motorists can expect more electric and hybrid vehicles to launch and some petrol and diesel vehicles to reverse after transport regulations finally take off.
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Hitting the brakes on EV, hybrid help could slow cuts
Removing tax breaks for plug-in hybrid vehicles is stalling their adoption, a group warns, and a lack of incentives could slow efforts to cut car emissions.
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EV myths drive Aussies wrong way down electric avenue
One third of Australians believe misinformation circulating about electric vehicles, a study has found, with a conspiracy mindset most often to blame.
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economy (general)
environmental issue
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sales
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Australia’s big car love affair still fuelling sales
SUVs and utes have proven the big sellers on Australian car lots in May but the popularity of hybrid and electric vehicles is accelerating.
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Record electric truck haul aims to drive down emissions
One of Australia's biggest transport companies will invest in a record-breaking electric truck fleet, including prime movers to be built in Brisbane.
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Drivers could pay more tax after electric car U-turn
Australian drivers and employers could miss out on thousands of dollars in tax savings if the coalition puts the brakes on an electric vehicle policy.
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Call for workplace change to drive electric car take-up
Fewer than one-in-three electric vehicle drivers can access a charger at work and incentives could get more people to go electric and drive to the office.
Some hybrid cars thirstier than their petrol peers
On-road vehicle tests show some hybrid vehicles are not saving as much petrol as lab tests promise and a two use more than standard cars on highways.
Will Tesla’s problems crash Australia’s electric dream?
The brand that has long led Australia's electric vehicle charge is falling out of favour. Can the nation's move to low-emission transport go on regardless?
Car sales accelerate, with hybrids leading the charge
More drivers are getting behind the wheel of a new car but preferences are changing, with hybrids speeding up and petrol cars slowing down.
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U-turn on gas-guzzler fines could penalise motorists
Carmakers who fail to meet environmental standards will not be penalised under proposed changes expected during the election campaign.
Hitting the brakes: hybrid sales clouded by tax cut end
A tax concession for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles has come to the end of the road and experts say it could affect future car sales and emissions.
Trump ratchets up trade war with 25 per cent car tariff
Markets are reacting to President Donald Trump's announcement of new import taxes of 25 per cent on cars and car parts coming into the US.
Aussie road rules are not ready for self-driving cars
Road rules will need to be changed before autonomous vehicles become more common, or lawsuits could follow.
Tesla Cybertruck named the hero of motor show comeback
It is large, futuristic and not ready to drive on Australian roads but Tesla's Cybertruck will be the centrepiece of the first Melbourne motor show in 15 years.