Hybrid sales charge ahead as electric cars slow down
Aussie drivers have snapped up a record number of new vehicles in 2024 despite challenging economic conditions, with big and hybrid vehicles popular.
automotive equipment
EV crash victims could be left to die in battery fires
Emergency responders, mechanics and tow truck drivers need greater training in how to deal with electric vehicle crashes and fires, an inquiry has heard.
Electric and hybrid vehicles racing ahead in the ‘burbs
More electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are hitting the streets in outer suburbs where drivers are in the box seat to save the most money on petrol.
Why ‘noisy’ electric cars could save Australian lives
New rules will force electric and hybrid vehicles to make sounds at low speeds next year, in a move that could save the lives of Australian pedestrians.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
More Aussies to buy an electric car, but price a factor
Almost one in three motorists who intend to buy a car in the next year will shop for an electric model, but high prices are slowing adoption rates.
Ute-turn: electric, hybrid utes ready for Aussie launch
Electric and hybrid utes are queuing up to launch in Australia following policy changes, and experts say they offer benefits which could attract new fans.
More Aussies to drive EVs but cost remains a speed bump
Two in every five Aussie motorists are expected to be driving an electric car in the next five years, even though the cost remains a hurdle for many road users.
automotive equipment
consumers
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
fine
road transport
transport
Another state powers up electric vehicle parking fines
Parking beside an electric car charger but failing to use it will risk penalties in another state after two new fines were introduced.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
diesel fuel
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
sales
transport
Big car sales boom but EV buyers are hitting the gas
Sports utility vehicles dominated new car sales in Australia during March, according to new figures, but sales of low-emission cars are accelerating.
Electric car price war resumes as one brand sets record
The price of the cheapest electric vehicle in Australia has dropped again, in a move experts say shows the fuel-efficiency standard is already working.
Volkswagen to test car tech to make kangaroos go jump
Australian-made car technology that will play sounds kangaroos don't like will be tested in motion after receiving university approval.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
EV owners urged to change charging behaviour for Easter
Charge early and plan ahead: experts are advising electric vehicle drivers to be mindful of others to avoid queues during a record-breaking Easter holiday.
Middle of the road: compromise for utes, SUVs in rules
Rules to lower vehicle emissions in Australia will involve compromises for utes and some large four-wheel-drive vehicles following industry negotiations.
Call for e-bike and e-scooter restrictions, EV training
An inquiry is exploring if new rules are needed to safely operate electric and hybrid cars but it's two-wheeled vehicles that are getting the most attention.
alternative energy
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
renewable energy
research
research and development
road transport
transport
Electric vehicles threaten to overtake hydrogen promise
The popularity of hydrogen cars is dropping in Australia and overseas, leading many experts to question the role it will play in the future of transport.
air pollution
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
politics (general)
road transport
transport
Most Aussies feel fuel cost pressures, want better cars
Most Australians support a vehicle efficiency standard but even more are feeling the pressure of fuel costs on household budgets.
air pollution
auto trends
automotive equipment
energy
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
heavy engineering
politics (general)
pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
‘Game-changing’ electric truck fleet launches in Sydney
The first 43 vehicles from Australia's largest electric truck trial have been unveiled in a move Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called a "game-changer".
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
Electric vehicles double amid calls for faster progress
Almost 100,000 new electric cars hit Australian roads last year but a new report is calling for faster adoption to meet climate targets.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
Why electric car dreams are becoming ‘suburban reality’
Outer suburbs are becoming hotspots for electric vehicles, with new figures showing the low-emission cars are more popular there than inner-city suburbs.
Volkswagen lodges protest against vehicle lobby group
Car group Volkswagen has become the latest manufacturer to withdraw support for Australia's peak car body but Toyota supports its calls for policy changes.
Heavy electric trucks cleared to drive in another state
Queensland is the latest state to allow electric trucks on some roads in a change that will pave the way for the low-emission vehicles to be made locally.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
diesel fuel
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
politics (general)
road transport
transport
Second electric vehicle brand slams automotive body
Another electric car maker has resigned from Australia's peak automotive industry group amid accusations it "cherry-picked" data to mislead consumers.
Popular car brands ’emit more carbon than coal mines’
Analysis of the five most popular car brands in Australia has found their vehicles are responsible for producing more carbon emissions than some coal mines.
air pollution
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
politics (general)
road transport
transport
Tesla resigns from car group over ‘misleading’ claims
Electric car maker Tesla has slammed Australia's peak automotive body for spreading misleading claims about a proposed fuel-efficiency standard.
Electric cars crash Aussie records but utes top charts
Australians snapped up more electric cars during February than ever before, new figures show, but diesel utes dominated the ranks of most popular models.
Energy firm drives heavy duty electric vehicle plans
One of the nation's biggest power distributors has started adopting electric trucks as part of a plan to drive change in other firms.
Electric wreck picked to bits in pursuit of fire safety
Firefighters have dismantled a burnt-out electric car to confirm how it caught fire, but experts say incidents are far less frequent than people might expect.
Tech firm enters Australia’s electric car charging race
A technology services company behind the NBN rollout has revealed plans to focus on electric car infrastructure after identifying it as 'the next big thing'.
automotive equipment
consumer goods
energy (general)
energy saving
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
Tests show cars are dirtier and thirstier than promised
Some popular vehicles are using as much as 20 per cent more petrol than promised, road tests show, while others are secret high polluters.
Hyundai breaks ranks to support new car emissions rules
A popular car brand has voiced support for new rules that would cut vehicle emissions, saying Australia only has a short time to catch up to other countries.
Mazda fined $11.5m for misleading buyers on faulty cars
One of Australia's most popular car brands has been fined $11.5 million for misleading nine customers about their rights to refunds or replacement cars.