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Aussie drivers divided over petrol vs electric future

Many Australian motorists plan to park an electric or hybrid vehicle in their garage in future but one policy change could alter their path.

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Postcode where more drivers plug into electric car cuts

More than 100,000 Australians have taken advantage of the federal government's tax exemption for electric vehicles but households in one location are most keen.

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Double whammy: food prices warning over war fuel shock

Panic buying has forced some regional service stations to impose fuel restrictions as farmers warn shoppers to brace for grocery price hikes.

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Owl be damned: regulator stops short of rat poison ban

Conservationists are pushing for a regulator to outlaw a common class of rodenticides having pervasive effects on owls and other native animals.

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Tax cut could help more drivers dodge petrol price hike

More Australians could turn to electric vehicles to avoid rising fuel costs if governments keep tax cuts for their purchase and consider new incentives.

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Car sales slow down but electric vehicles charge ahead

Electric vehicles have broken sales records in Australia even as the larger automotive market stalled, with sales of petrol and hybrid models falling.

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Writing on the wall for letter delivery in Australia

Handwritten notes, Christmas cards and household bills are making way for algorithms and gig economies in a changing world of correspondence.

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‘Down Down’: Coles shares shamed as sales growth slows

Coles' half-year earnings have disappointed the market, with shares in the supermarket giant falling to their lowest level since August.

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Tech giant plans 800 million AI gadgets by Christmas

If your smartphone does not feature artificial intelligence, it could add the technology soon, with one manufacturer planning to double down on its investment.

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Dumpster fire: Aussie households fail the battery test

Millions of households are risking fires by getting rid of batteries in dangerous ways and the popularity of lithium batteries is raising the stakes.

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Popular car brand earns $24m debt under pollution rules

Some of the most popular car companies in Australia and a selection of luxury brands have failed to meet emissions targets in their first year of operation.

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Aussies splash cash on tech but prices tipped to rise

Consumers are spending big on smartphones and games consoles despite a tight economy, JB Hi-Fi says, but the cost of some gadgets could rise.

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Electric car sales may stall if tax policy changes gear

Australia's biggest electric vehicle incentive is under review and both traditional car makers and the EV industry warns change could lead to a crash.

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Petrol, diesel cars slow while hybrids, EVs speed up

Australians are buying fewer cars that use fossil fuels alone as they shift allegiance to low-emission hybrid and electric models.

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Discount loans to drive down the price of electric cars

Finance on electric vehicles from two big brands will be subsidised by the government under a plan to cut the cost of low-emission cars.

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‘True maestro’: tributes flow for fashionisto Valentino

Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani has died after a decades-long illustrious career dressing Hollywood stars and high society in his haute couture.

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Want a safe car? Crash tests say you should go electric

The safest new vehicles in Australia are almost all electric, with the top performers delivering consistently across the various areas of testing.

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Hybrid and electric vehicles rev up second-hand market

Australians are buying more used hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars, although sales across all states and territories are slowing down.

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Rate hike ‘risks hurting’ fragile consumer sentiment

A fresh survey of Australian consumer sentiment doesn't make for encouraging reading as the central bank weighs lifting the cash rate at its next meeting.

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Do not fully charge: Volvo electric vehicle warning

A serious fault has been identified in more than 2800 electric vehicles and, with no immediate fix, drivers are being warned not to fully charge the cars.

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Robots, smart Lego and AI everything: CES 2026 delivers

The annual Consumer Electronics Show indicates we could be headed into a future with cleaning robots, noisy Lego and bathroom mirrors that assess health.

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Hybrids, SUVs and utes race away with 2025 car sales

Australian motorists are increasingly choosing fuel-efficient vehicles but that does not mean a move away from SUVs or utes.

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Novel car brands tipped to accelerate Aussie market

From Forthing to Farizon, consumers can expect plenty of fresh brand names in the local automotive market, with growth expected to almost double in a decade.

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Charges and changes: electric car shifts coming in 2026

Twists and turns are coming to Australia's electric car market, from a potential road-user charge and tax reform to the price of models launching on our shores.

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Unwanted gift: Christmas caution over e-bike insurance

Authorities urge prospective e-bike buyers this Christmas to use reputable suppliers and avoid illegal or modified devices that could void insurance cover.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.