alternative energy consumers energy energy (general) energy resources energy saving environmental issue environmental politics housing and urban planning renewable energy

Energy costs force most renters to swelter over summer

Most Australians who rent their home say they avoid using cooling and heating appliances due to high costs.

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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.

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Search hit: court orders massive fine against Google

The world's biggest search provider will face a substantial penalty for breaking Australia's competition laws, a court has ruled, after doing deals with telcos.

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Fibre to the rescue: Aussies urged to take net upgrades

More than one million households have been disconnected by weather events this year and the NBN warns more will disproportionately affect copper connections.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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‘Slam dunk’: Microsoft sued for misleading Aussie users

Microsoft might have misled millions of Australian customers when it sent emails about higher fees for its flagship AI assistant.

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Construction code delays risk pulling the plug on EVs

New homes will not need to be ready to charge electric vehicles after a freeze on the construction code, which some say will stall progress.

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Pole position: contentious EV charging plan to go ahead

Power providers in one state will be allowed to install electric vehicle chargers on their power poles despite opposition to the proposal.

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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.

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Why Google wants you to ask long, complicated questions

More web queries will be answered by artificial intelligence when Google expands technology tested in the US to its Australian users.

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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.

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Banned by AI bots: fresh call for social media referee

Artificial intelligence software is incorrectly banning social media accounts but without an ombudsman, many struggle to reclaim their profiles.

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Appliance reliance: consumers want repairability labels

Most Australians want to know how long they can expect expensive appliances to work and whether they can be repaired easily, a study shows.

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Wanted: 100 electric car drivers for energy-saving test

Would you plug your car into the national grid for money off your electricity bill? A growing number of energy providers would like to know.

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Optus chief blames human error for triple-zero disaster

A major Optus outage that left Australians without access to emergency services has been blamed on human error as its embattled CEO fights to keep his position.

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Charge up at no charge: EV pilot to test behaviour

A major energy supplier will select 50 households to take part in a vehicle-to-grid technology trial that will charge up vehicles at no cost.

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Self-driving car forecasts speed up after Tesla launch

Australia could become a major testbed for autonomous vehicles if efforts to develop a national set of road rules for their use are successful.

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Green deliveries to grow as electric trucks roll out

Another major logistics company will add electric trucks and vans to its fleet in a move the company says will appeal to environmentally aware consumers.

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Check your modem: millions to get free broadband boost

Almost one in every three NBN users will see their internet speed rise in the coming days but experts are warning consumers to check their hardware.

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Pricey bills to carry clear alerts for cheaper plans

Households and small businesses will be warned if they are paying more than necessary under a reform designed to encourage more people switch plans.

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Electric car safety check could spark second-hand sales

It is the most expensive and vital element of an electric vehicle and more companies are offering to test it to rev up the used car market.

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Hybrid sales accelerate but diesel utes claim top spots

Hybrid and electric vehicles are closing the gap on their petrol and diesel equivalents in Australia but the race remains slow and steady.

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Vicious cycles: national push to slow electric bikes

Cycling groups say high-powered and illegally modified e-bikes are increasingly being used in Australia and stricter, national rules are needed to save lives.

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NBN users gorge on fibre for healthier download speeds

Technology upgrades are transforming how Australian's connect to the internet, as the NBN Co's full-year results show many premises are using fibre.

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Bright idea for businesses to power household bill cuts

Solar panels installed on commercial and industrial buildings could deliver savings to nearby residents in a trial proposed by a major energy firm.