Hybrid sales in the used car fast lane as prices rise
More Australian motorists are getting behind the wheel of a second-hand hybrid vehicle in a trend experts say is designed to beat petrol prices.
environmental pollution
Preparing for lift-off: green fuel projects get a boost
A pilot program will provide support to some of Australia's low-carbon fuel projects in a bid to turn potential into commercial reality.
Red alert for green iron: Australia risks its advantage
None of Australia's green iron projects are ready to launch and, without policy changes, the nation risks missing the opportunity to lead a global race.
AI to hit Aussies as data centres push up energy costs
Urgent action must be taken to regulate power and water used by data centres to avoid burdening Australian households with higher costs, a study has found.
Shifting gears: electric cars surge during fuel crisis
Australian motorists bought a record number of electric and hybrid vehicles for the third month in a row, while petrol and diesel vehicle sales slowed.
AI’s dirty secret: data centre boom threatens resources
Artificial intelligence could use three per cent of global energy by the end of the decade, the UN warns, and use 10 times more land than Mexico City.
Electric truck U-turn could let them pull their weight
Australian companies are missing out on opportunities to save money and pollution with electric trucks due to a lack of support and inconsistent rules.
Mandatory recycling could help tyres go round and round
Australia's roads could be paved using rubber from abandoned tyres, an inquiry has been told, but only if regulators can find a way to fund it.
Petrol price hikes fuel record electric vehicle sales
The soaring price of petrol is sending more Australian drivers to electric cars and the trend could change the worldwide automotive market.
Aussie tech to tell heavy electric trucks where to go
How far and how fast can a battery-powered prime mover go? One Australian start-up is doing the sums so freight businesses don't have to.
Climate agencies to ask AI to predict future disasters
Artificial intelligence could play a major role in predicting natural disasters around Australia but authorities warn they do not understand it well enough.
Competition puts Australia’s green iron edge at risk
Australia's renewable energy and rich iron ore deposits make it a potential leader in green iron and steel but other nations may be closing the gap.
After the sun sets: hub to tackle coming e-waste crisis
With millions of solar power systems installed across the country, a national research centre will probe what to do with the panels at the end of their lives.
Trial could boost Australia’s bid to be battery leader
A multimillion-dollar pilot program will test whether Australia can produce more materials for electric vehicle batteries with less impact on the environment.
Electric vehicle batteries could spark recycling market
An Australian company will create a recycling plant for the batteries used in households and electric cars after a multimillion-dollar investment.
Magnetic attraction to lift Aussie green iron prospects
A process that uses magnets rather than water to extract high-quality iron ore will be tested at an Australian mine to boost the nation's export potential.
More records loom as fuel crunch turbocharges EV sales
A record number of Australian motorists are buying electric vehicles in a trend automotive experts say could stick around even if fuel prices fall.
Electric or bust: truck industry demands urgent U-turn
Skyrocketing diesel prices are adding cost and uncertainty to heavy transport and operators are calling for help to change the industry's direction.
Bumpy path predicted for self-driving cars in Australia
Australia could cut emissions and car parks by introducing self-driving cars, but the technology could also have unexpected negative effects on roads.
Renewable energy project may help blow down power bills
The savings from a new type of energy project could slash electricity bills for households in Victoria, NSW and Queensland, and consume less farming land.
Australia risks being lapped in the race for green fuel
Neighbouring countries including Indonesia and Malaysia could beat Australia to lead the sustainable aviation fuel market despite its potential.
Aussie drivers divided over petrol vs electric future
Many Australian motorists plan to park an electric or hybrid vehicle in their garage in future but one policy change could alter their path.
Popular rat baits restricted over wildlife impacts
Conservationists are celebrating after the pesticides regulator moved to restrict rodenticides from sale due to their severe impact on native wildlife.
Owl be damned: regulator stops short of rat poison ban
Conservationists are pushing for a regulator to outlaw a common class of rodenticides having pervasive effects on owls and other native animals.
More electric trucks, motorbikes to deliver carbon cuts
It boasts Australia's largest fleet of electric vehicles but one company plans to put even more electric trucks and motorcycles on the road to lower emissions.
Tax cut could help more drivers dodge petrol price hike
More Australians could turn to electric vehicles to avoid rising fuel costs if governments keep tax cuts for their purchase and consider new incentives.
Big trucks and buses drive a heavy healthcare burden
Premature deaths and childhood asthma are among the health risks of allowing high-polluting heavy vehicles to travel on populated routes.
Petrol, diesel cars slow while hybrids, EVs speed up
Australians are buying fewer cars that use fossil fuels alone as they shift allegiance to low-emission hybrid and electric models.
No seats, no dramas: $30m boost for self-driving cars
A Melbourne company creating vehicles with no seats, no doors and no steering wheel has secured an investment to boost its manufacturing.
Households could get paid under plan to price pollution
Australia could raise $35 billion a year by putting a price on pollution and help households and businesses by sharing the revenue, a report has found.
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.