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.
consumer goods
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.
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.
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.
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.
auto trends
automotive equipment
business (general)
consumer goods
diesel fuel
environmental issue
imports
road transport
sales
transport
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.
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.
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.
consumer goods
economic policy
economy, business and finance
food - consumer goods
politics
prices
retail
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.
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.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
diesel fuel
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
environmental issue
renewable energy
road transport
transport
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.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
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.
armed conflict
consumer goods
defence
economy, business and finance
government
politics
prices
unrest, conflicts and war
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.
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.
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.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
environmental issue
environmental politics
road transport
transport
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.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
energy (general)
environmental issue
research
road transport
sales
transport
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.
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.
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.
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.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
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.
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.
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.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy resources
energy saving
environmental issue
renewable energy
road transport
transport
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.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
sales
transport
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.