Price gouging ban will drive up costs: supermarkets
Lower grocery bills are being promised with a price gouging ban but supermarket giants and retailers say shoppers will be the ones to bear the brunt of costs.
consumer goods
Electric shock: hybrids, not EVs, pose pedestrian risk
They may be quieter and heavier than petrol cars but electric vehicles are not more likely to crash into a pedestrian or to cause serious injury.
Aussies’ latest car choices are driving down pollution
The growing popularity of hybrid and electric cars is helping to reduce Australia's transport emissions but big, old cars are slowing progress.
AI will make a list but shoppers should check it twice
More than half of young Australians are willing to hand over their Christmas shopping to an artificial intelligence tool, but others have concerns.
Motorists pooh pooh petrol for low-emission options
Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles are closing the gap on their petrol rivals with sales figures showing a change in consumer sentiment.
Road tests show electric vehicles keep pulling up short
Battery-powered cars have been found using more energy than promised in independent tests, just like their petrol and diesel peers.
Overpowered: battery rebate could be drained in a year
Australian households are installing more than 1000 solar batteries every day, but their popularity could accelerate the end of the government's rebate scheme.
Liberals go back to basics after crawling to year’s end
The Liberals are attempting to win back the title of "responsible economic managers" and turn over a new leaf after a tumultuous parliamentary year.
Second-hand car buyers are looking to save petrol too
Hybrid vehicles are not just popular with new car buyers, as figures reveal the low-emission models are making up more second-hand sales.
Food delivery service set to cease after Menulog off
It once thrived under a "Did Somebody Say" campaign but the celebrity driven catch-cry hasn't saved food delivery service Menulog from closure.
Hamas reasserts Gaza control, post-war talks grind on
There are signs that Hamas is seeking to widen control over Gaza, raising doubts over whether it will cede authority as promised.
New entry about to make electric cars a lot cheaper
Australian motorists can expect to see more price competition in electric vehicles after one auto maker announced the cheapest model to date.
The vast and the curious: electric car expo shows range
Battery-powered sports cars, vans, SUVs and motorbikes will go on show in Melbourne but organisers say some attendees may need test drives to win them over.
New petrol cars could be outnumbered in two years
Australian drivers are buying more electric and hybrid vehicles than ever and experts say they are forcing down petrol and diesel car sales.
Petrol low as car buyers flock to hybrid and electric
More buyers of new vehicles are opting to save money on petrol with electric cars and hybrid models proving popular in the latest auto industry snapshot.
Collect ’em all: call for widespread battery recycling
Australia's voluntary battery recycling scheme will be allowed to continue but with limited uptake, the public could benefit if more devices were collected.
Hybrids, small SUVs revealed as unexpected gas guzzlers
Popular vehicles including petrol-powered SUVs and hybrids are exceeding their advertised fuel consumption by up to 21 per cent, tests have found.
Microsoft apologises for AI confusion, offers refunds
A tech giant will offer refunds to millions of its Australian users over what it calls unclear pricing for access to its artificial intelligence tool.
Ban on petrol, diesel vehicles urged as EVs set records
Motorists are buying electric vehicles in record numbers but uptake will need to speed up to meet climate targets and experts are calling for change.
Digital passports could give old solar panels new life
Australia faces a serious electronic waste problem from ageing solar panels but could avoid it by testing and certifying old technology for reuse.
Parcel-packing electric trikes to roll out by Christmas
Australia's largest electric fleet is expected to grow significantly with the introduction of three-wheeled vehicles capable of carrying more parcels.
Electric car U-turn puts low-emission options on track
Electric vehicles are quietly climbing the sales charts in Australia after a slow start to the year, but hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars remain popular.
Why 2026 could be the year cars drive down power prices
With three energy companies committed to trials and more automakers willing to back them, using your electric car as a battery should be possible soon.
How AI will be used to help neighbours find lost dogs
Internet-connected doorbell cameras will be loaded with artificial intelligence software and used to identify lost pets, with the owners' permission.
Appliance reliance: consumers want repairability labels
Most Australians want to know how long they can expect expensive appliances to work and whether they can be repaired easily, a study shows.
Charge up at no charge: EV pilot to test behaviour
A major energy supplier will select 50 households to take part in a vehicle-to-grid technology trial that will charge up vehicles at no cost.
Check your modem: millions to get free broadband boost
Almost one in every three NBN users will see their internet speed rise in the coming days but experts are warning consumers to check their hardware.
Keep electric car tax cut, remove pollution instead
A tax exemption for electric vehicles could put another 1.5 million on Australian roads if it is extended to 2035, modelling shows, and cut carbon emissions.
Pricey bills to carry clear alerts for cheaper plans
Households and small businesses will be warned if they are paying more than necessary under a reform designed to encourage more people switch plans.
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.
Dead letter day: post boss says the end is nearing
Australians are posting letters at dwindling rates not seen in almost a century, as Australia Post's boss says the days of snail mail are numbered.