Electric cars may save power grid, if drivers let them
Motorists could decide the future of Australia's energy networks by when they choose to buy an electric car and how they recharge it.
consumer goods
Coles denies supplier gouge through own-brand products
Supermarket heavyweight Coles has developed a wide range of subtly-branded products it owns, denying there is any transparency issue for customers.
Developer malaise means Woolies is behind more malls
Woolworths has cast itself as being in competition with cake shops and newsagents, while also showing the might of its construction arm.
Solar battery surge expected for plugged-in households
More Aussie households are expected to investigate solar batteries as a way to save on the cost of power rather than the cost to the environment, a bank says.
Discount class action fresh headache for grocery giants
Australia's two major supermarket chains say they will defend against class action lawsuits brought over allegations of misleading promotional price practices.
Lingering doubts, end of subsidies put EVs in slow lane
Electric vehicle sales have dipped according to Australian Automobile Association figures, and experts say misconceptions and rebate removals are to blame.
Aldi banks on winning customers over opening new stores
The nearest supermarket rival to Coles and Woolworths says it's focused on trying to woo new customers rather than expanding its chain of Australian stores.
Farmers fear being frozen out by supermarket giants
Produce growers face limited export opportunities, low bargaining power and high costs to supply Australian supermarket giants, an inquiry has heard.
New vehicle sales slow down as economy applies brakes
New vehicle sales have fallen in Australia for the third month in a row, with sales figures revealing private buyers were most likely to drive on by.
‘Frustrated, sceptical’ consumers lose trust in grocers
Consumers doubt rising costs are totally to blame for higher grocery prices, as profits fall for manufacturers struggling to pass on surging costs.
Nine grocery items bill tops $100 in remote community
Some Indigenous communities are paying twice as much for groceries as people in capital cities, a consumer advocacy organisation investigation has found.
Why packing waste could be the secret to a cool summer
Packing material and static electricity could take the edge off future electricity bills, according to Australian researchers.
Australia urged not to pull the plug on hybrid tax cuts
Sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles are accelerating in Australia as a tax deadline approaches, but some automotive groups say an extension is needed.
It’s not you: banking outages are taking longer to fix
Digital payment services are under increasing pressure as Aussies ditch cash and they are mostly rising to the task, a Reserve Bank report has found.
Forget electric and focus on hybrid utes, inquiry hears
Australia is not ready to make a full switch to electric vehicles, an inquiry has heard, as the technology cannot accommodate farmers and tradespeople.
Car battery ‘passports’ could help manage growing waste
Australia should adopt a tracking scheme and battery passports like Europe to deal with the growing pile of electric car waste, an inquiry has heard.
Red Cross on a quest for clothing fit for a friend
The Red Cross wants Australians to donate quality to its clothing drive this year, with Uber also on hand to pick up people's offerings from their doorstep.
One ring to track all? Wearable tech extends its reach
Would you trust a ring to track your sleep? It is a question more Australians may ask this Christmas as smart jewellery vies for attention.
More than 100,000 Kia cars recalled due to fire risk
Owners of 10 Kia model vehicles are being urged to park them away from flammable structures after the discovery of a serious fire risk with an electrical part.
Hybrid vehicles in fast lane, as petrol cars slow down
Australians are buying fewer new cars as the economy bites but hybrid vehicles are bucking the trend, sales figures have revealed.
Shopping around could help lower grocery prices for all
Aldi shoppers are paying significantly less than Coles or Woolworths customers but the biggest savers could be those shopping across all three.
Major supermarkets breached trust, Albanese says
It is "a breach of trust" for supermarkets to behave like this, Anthony Albanese says after Coles and Woolworths were criticised over "misleading" specials.
Electric cars crash through Aussie price barrier again
The price of electric cars has fallen in Australia again, with one popular model available for less than $31,000, but experts warn high-end EV sales may stall.
National safety rules needed to curb e-bike fire risks
Electric scooters, bicycles and skateboards should be inspected and some removed from online platforms following dangers identified in a NSW inquiry.
Tesla charges through Aussie electric vehicle milestone
Tesla has unveiled its 100th electric vehicle charging location in Australia, alongside a commitment to make 'range anxiety' a thing of the past.
Electric Mini Coopers recalled over major fire risk
More than 1400 electric vehicles have been recalled due to a serious issue with their batteries that could cause fires.
Aussie drivers need more electric utes, more incentives
Electric vehicles will not be adopted at rates necessary to reach emissions targets, an inquiry has heard, without tax and financial incentives.
AI is coming to your smartphone but not the guardrails
Tech giant Apple is expected to launch its first iPhones with generative AI within days but experts say the technology still lacks safeguards.
Cost of living puts the brakes on new vehicle sales
Vehicle sales have slowed down in Australia, with passenger and petrol cars taking significant hits, but the industry says it is still a "positive result".
End of the road for Qld’s electric car rebate scheme
In a move advocates say is premature Australia's most generous electric vehicle rebate scheme will end almost one year early.
‘Let me out’: Aussies need help with subscription traps
Most Australians have struggled to cancel a subscription and some have given up entirely, a report has warned amid calls for legal reforms.