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.
consumer goods
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.
air pollution
consumer goods
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
politics (general)
pollution
road transport
transport
Electric cars to make bigger impact than electric homes
Laws to reduce vehicle emissions are on track to make a bigger environmental impact than disconnecting gas appliances, according to a study.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
diesel fuel
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
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.
alternative energy
consumer goods
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy resources
energy saving
environmental issue
environmental pollution
renewable energy
Call for rebates to help apartment dwellers go green
People who live in apartments are less likely to benefit from solar power or efficient electric appliances and they need targeted help, a conference has heard.
consumer goods
energy (general)
energy saving
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Hybrid vehicle sales speed up while petrol loses spark
Hybrid cars have more than doubled in popularity in the past year, surpassing electric vehicles and eating into petrol and diesel car sales.
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.
Hefty fines, tougher code could cut grocery prices: PM
Shoppers could pay less for groceries under plans to impose heavy financial penalties on supermarkets that fail to comply with a code of conduct.
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.
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.
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.
Crowds shell out for seafood as Easter egg prices crack
Australians have flocked to fish markets for the traditional Good Friday shopping spree but cheaper species are expected to be high on the menu this year.
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.
business (general)
consumer goods
consumer issue - macro economics
consumers
economy, business and finance
online
retail
Online shopping is forcing down prices by $1100 a year
Greater competition from online shopping is forcing down the price of some goods, research has found, and could have a bigger impact in the future.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Electric joy rides in Canberra to support fuel standard
Expect to see more politicians behind the wheel of a small electric car in a show of support for new vehicle efficiency rules.
auto trends
consumer goods
consumers
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
Electric vehicle charging sparks concern among drivers
More than two in three Australians think the nation needs more electric vehicle charging stations even though their number almost doubled last year.
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.
consumer goods
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Aussie drivers are paying more to fuel cars, study says
Australian ute drivers are paying hundreds of dollars more for fuel than their American and European counterparts, according to a new fuel-efficiency study.
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.