‘Turning point’: one in five new cars sold is electric
Australians are buying a record number of new vehicles, and battery-powered models make up more of those cars than ever before.
road transport
Supermarket charges ahead with electric truck rollout
Groceries delivered by a major Australian supermarket could arrive quietly after a $22 million investment in next-generation trucks.
‘Watching like a hawk’: servos on notice as fuel rises
Winding back discounts to the fuel excise are hitting motorists in the hip pocket, with service stations and suppliers monitored for exorbitant price rises.
Fuel pinch arrives sooner for some as discount halved
Motorists feeling the cost crunch are encouraged to fill up tanks before the fuel excise discount is halved, with one cohort likely to feel its impact first.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
petrol
politics (general)
regulatory policy and organisation
road transport
state budget and tax
transport
State urged to pump the brakes on electric car charge
Health and transport experts are urging a state government to slow its plans for an electric vehicle tax and wait for a national approach.
Heat on drug-drive laws as study finds cannabis misuse
Reforms that would allow drivers in NSW to get behind the wheel with small amounts of cannabis in their system are facing strong criticism on safety grounds.
‘Basics’ budget the start of Labor state election pitch
In his government's last budget before a state election, the NSW treasurer is looking to sell a message of responsibility and basic service delivery.
Tax all cars: state urged to expand road-user charge
The NSW government could avoid having its planned road-user charge struck out by courts with big changes, including taxing more drivers.
Fast-track: electric trucks to hit Aussie roads faster
One company's plans to electrify heavy-duty transport will accelerate and expand to more towns after a multimillion-dollar investment.
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.
Chatbot mechanics: Aussies are turning to AI for fixes
More motorists are turning to artificial intelligence for advice on how to fix their car and one in three trust the technology more than a human.
World-first for drivers who use medicinal cannabis
Thousands of medicinal cannabis users will be able to take the wheel without fear of losing their licence under groundbreaking reforms to drug driving laws.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
economy, business and finance
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
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.
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.
Three dead after ‘horrific’ head-on midnight crash
Police were called to conduct a welfare check at a home moments before a head-on car crash that killed three people.
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 change risks billions in roads, hospitals bills
A state has been warned climate change-linked weather hazards endanger almost a fifth of the value of major infrastructure assets.
Overseas tourists in fatal crash on ‘trip of lifetime’
Passengers on board a bus involved in a deadly crash were tourists on a "trip of a lifetime", with police now probing other incidents linked to the company.
End of the free ride: studies call for road user charge
Two transport groups say fuel excise is no longer running smoothly and the government needs to charge motorists based on how far they drive.
National fuel reserve ‘future-proofed’ in $10b plan
Australia has taken steps to shore up security of fuel and fertiliser under a multibillion-dollar package as supply chains remain disrupted by the Iran war.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
politics (general)
road transport
transport
Electric car sales surge ahead amid fuel uncertainty
Australian drivers have broken the record for electric car sales again, as petrol and diesel-powered vehicle sales stall.
auto trends
inflation and deflation
interest rate
mortgages
national government
politics
road transport
state budget and tax
Treasurer warned on household handouts ahead of budget
Millions of Australians could receive an income offset in the budget, but the Reserve Bank is cautioning against the federal government increasing spending.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
energy
energy (general)
environmental issue
investments
renewable energy
road transport
transport
‘Like charging a phone’: $1.5m boost for EV network
More than 400 apartment buildings could get access to electric vehicle chargers as part of a push to remove a speed bump to their adoption.
Calls for plane crash-style probes as road deaths rise
More people are dying on Australia's roads every year, but the peak motoring body says plane crash-style investigations could lead to change.
Rego rebate to ease pain at the pump for motorists
Motorists in one state will receive a one-off rebate on car registration to ease cost-of-living pressure as fuel prices soar across the country.
Caveat empty: car buyers beware fuel and range promises
Road tests show most vehicles are using more petrol, diesel or electricity than advertised, with one hybrid SUV using almost 30 per cent more fuel.
Leaders to reconvene for fuel talks after refinery fire
State and territory leaders will meet again with the prime minister to discuss the fuel crisis, as new orders for companies using truckies come into effect.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
diesel fuel
economy (general)
energy (general)
environmental issue
road transport
sales
transport
High-performance EVs and hatchbacks ready to steal show
After smashing sales records in Australia, electric vehicles are expected to be in high demand at the largest motor show in the southern hemisphere.
Almost 5000 electric vehicles recalled due to fire risk
A major car brand will recall thousands of its most popular electric vehicles after discovering a fault that could lead to a fire while charging.