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.
pollution
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.
Postcode where more drivers plug into electric car cuts
More than 100,000 Australians have taken advantage of the federal government's tax exemption for electric vehicles but households in one location are most keen.
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.
Popular car brand earns $24m debt under pollution rules
Some of the most popular car companies in Australia and a selection of luxury brands have failed to meet emissions targets in their first year of operation.
‘Right the ship’: polluters tax could be vote spinner
An ex-Labor strategist turned pollster says there are votes in taxing Australia's biggest polluters through reframing the debate and evolving demographics.
Farmers sue mining giant over alleged ‘toxic trifecta’
Neighbours of Australia's biggest gold and copper mine allege dust from its tailings dam has poisoned their land, in a "disaster" for health and agriculture.
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.
Almost 70 schools to close as asbestos concerns spread
An asbestos scare linked to coloured sand products has prompted dozens of school closures as decontamination work continues.
Germany supports Brazil’s forest plan at climate talks
World leaders gathered on the edge of the imperilled Amazon rainforest for a second day of talks at the world's most important meeting on climate change.
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.
Financial sector urged to shoot higher on climate risk
The global financial sector has been urged to prevent further backsliding on climate and to stop funnelling money into new fossil fuels in an open letter.
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.
Company accelerates electric truck parcel deliveries
Quiet and clean, if costly: an Australian delivery business says more companies should adopt electric trucks ahead of World EV Day.
Industry, climate firms to give green iron green light
Creating a green metals industry is taking longer than expected, experts say, but an Australian summit is seeking ways to accelerate its creation.
Call to screw the cap on $11 billion diesel subsidy
More mining giants may clean up their operations if the government capped generous credits on diesel fuel and incentivised green projects, a report finds.
US memo urges countries to reject UN plastic caps
Hopes for a "last-chance" ambitious global treaty that tackles the full life cycle of plastic pollution have dimmed.
Green hydrogen hype fades but future hopes are bright
Two major Australian green hydrogen projects have been abandoned within weeks but experts say it will give investors time to rethink the future of the fuel.
Australian-made green plane fuel closer with grant win
Creating sustainable aviation fuel without using farm waste could be possible within months, researchers say, and will cut emissions from air travel.
Beyond carbon: big four banks urged to capture more gas
It is a potent greenhouse gas responsible for climate change, but a report has found Australia's major banks have yet to single out methane emissions.
Utes dominate vehicles sales and push BYD past Tesla
Australia's love affair with the ute has dominated new vehicle sales during June, but one hybrid model has had an unusual impact on Australia's auto market.
Hitting the brakes on EV, hybrid help could slow cuts
Removing tax breaks for plug-in hybrid vehicles is stalling their adoption, a group warns, and a lack of incentives could slow efforts to cut car emissions.
‘Swimming pool of sewage’: raw spill flows into suburbs
Residents are outraged as authorities work to mop up a massive sewage spill that sent human waste into suburban streets, parks, a river and harbour.
Call for workplace change to drive electric car take-up
Fewer than one-in-three electric vehicle drivers can access a charger at work and incentives could get more people to go electric and drive to the office.
Some hybrid cars thirstier than their petrol peers
On-road vehicle tests show some hybrid vehicles are not saving as much petrol as lab tests promise and a two use more than standard cars on highways.
Car sales accelerate, with hybrids leading the charge
More drivers are getting behind the wheel of a new car but preferences are changing, with hybrids speeding up and petrol cars slowing down.
U-turn on gas-guzzler fines could penalise motorists
Carmakers who fail to meet environmental standards will not be penalised under proposed changes expected during the election campaign.
Hitting the brakes: hybrid sales clouded by tax cut end
A tax concession for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles has come to the end of the road and experts say it could affect future car sales and emissions.
Tesla Cybertruck named the hero of motor show comeback
It is large, futuristic and not ready to drive on Australian roads but Tesla's Cybertruck will be the centrepiece of the first Melbourne motor show in 15 years.