Why electric cars can be uncommonly useful in cyclones
As Queenslanders prepared for a tropical cyclone, an Australian electric car company raced to fulfil an influx of orders to keep lights and fridges working.
consumers
Cheaper but smarter: smartphones target budget buyers
Three smartphone makers are launching cut-price versions of their flagship devices but experts say their biggest battle might be over AI features.
New vehicle sales stuck in slow lane, even popular SUVs
Hybrids are among few vehicles to withstand a continuing slowdown in new vehicles sales, with one model racing into the top ten.
Plug-in hybrid car tax breaks about to hit the skids
Drivers have one month left to claim a tax break on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, amid calls for Labor to give the fuel-saving cars more support.
More flights on horizon as airline deal set to take off
Passengers could benefit from more choice and improved convenience as the consumer watchdog provides a green light for a Virgin-Qatar Airways alliance.
‘More gaps, more drop-outs’: rise in complaints post-3G
Telcos have been urged to do better in rural Australia, with continued reports of poor mobile service and new black spots after the 3G mobile network closed.
Big changes needed to connect cars to the power grid
Most Australians want to turn their electric vehicle into a battery on wheels in future but there are still speed bumps to making the technology work.
Origin bets on gas and batteries to keep the lights on
Leading energy retailer Origin Energy says it is "well-placed" to benefit from the energy transition as it bets on big batteries to help keep the lights on.
Small cars show a big thirst for petrol in road tests
Three popular small cars, including a hybrid model, are among the latest vehicles found using more fuel than expected in Australian road tests.
AGL slams nuclear option, doubles down on big batteries
Australia's biggest emitter AGL Energy will build "a whole range of assets", but not nuclear reactors, to support the closure of 50-year-old coal power plants.
The cost of broadband is rising, but so is its speed
Australians are paying more to access the internet but thousands more households are getting access to faster download speeds.
Kerbside charging boost to curb electric car concerns
Hundreds of electric vehicle chargers will be installed on power poles across three states in a bid to remove concerns about swapping to next-gen transport.
How electric cars could drive down Aussie power bills
It's been sold as the technology that could turn your electric car into a money spinner but experts say vehicle-to-grid could be much more than a side hustle.
‘Golden age of gas’: households, manufacturers miss out
Households and manufacturers have been left worse off by the east coast gas bonanza, and exporters face new competition from cheaper sources, a report warns.
Australia tops index as virtual power plants take shape
Australia is poised for virtual power plants that connect households and slash bills but an expert warns nuclear reactors could force users off rooftop solar.
Electric vehicle sales brake as car market slows again
Australians bought fewer new cars in January, with electric car sales more than halving despite growing price competition and new limits on vehicle emissions.
Curtain call: basic energy upgrades may save households
Hanging heavy curtains and swapping gas for electric hot water could save Australians a motza and solar systems could cut household energy bills even further.
Diet time: why a watch may tell if you’re eating greens
Health sensors could track even more vital signs from your skin in future, including your blood sugar levels and vegetable intake.
‘Mum guilt’: parents battle growing school costs
As Australian parents deal with the ballooning cost of school supplies amid other cost-of-living pressures, a minor party is promising relief.
Aussie TikTok users brace as clock ticks down to US ban
An exodus to other Chinese apps, a jump in prominence but a dive in content: speculation is raging over what a US TikTok ban will mean for its Aussie users.
Government urged to put brakes on fast EV charging plan
Allowing energy networks to install hundreds of car chargers could present problems, one firm warns, unless they are made to follow the same rules.
Friendly robots, AI litter boxes: the new tech frontier
Wild, weird and unexpected gadgets have been shown in Las Vegas as part of an annual tech fest, with AI powering some household devices for the first time.
Charge ahead faster: energy group proposes EV changes
Installing electric car chargers on power poles could be a solution to Australia's growing transport issues, one group says, and could roll out fast.
CES 2025: tech firms promise AI robots, cars, fridges
Robots, self-driving cars and AI-powered work colleagues may not be far away, according to predictions aired at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Rough road ahead despite record-breaking new car sales
Aussie motorists bought a record number of new vehicles during the year but experts warn the path ahead is rocky as momentum is already slowing.
Drivers urged to ‘shop around’ as petrol prices surge
Australians are facing headaches at the petrol bowser and a national body has called for an investigation as costs surge in capital cities.
AGL weighs appeal of ‘significant’ $25m court penalty
An energy retailer is deciding whether to appeal a record court-imposed penalty in a case brought by the regulator for overcharging customers on welfare.
Australia urged to power ahead on EV charger rollout
Australia is not moving fast enough on vehicle charging and is holding back apartment dwellers, one of the country's biggest energy firms says.
Laws to rev up electric car race at starting line
Australia's automotive industry will look different in 2025 after a change in laws inspires a long list of electric and plug-in hybrid challengers.
Drop test: tech giant to ditch single-use plastic packs
More Christmas gifts purchased online will arrive in recyclable packaging this year after a two-year research project into making envelopes green.
Apple launches its big AI push but is it too late?
Features launching on Apple devices will write a story, draw an image and summarise articles but the AI push helped by ChatGPT arrives after those of rivals.