Drivers hit the brakes on car buys as economy slows
New vehicle sales continue to slow down in Australia, in what industry experts say is a 'disturbing trend' and a sign the cost of living is biting.
road transport
Smartphones still driving professionals to distraction
Calls, messages and apps are even getting the best of paid drivers, a study has found, amid a call to introduce surveillance and safety alerts behind the wheel.
Exhausted: Australia lags Europe, US on car pollution
Vehicles are getting bigger but more efficient, a transport study has found, but Australia is still being lapped by other nations on low-emission cars.
Deals on the bus go down, down: transport costs plunge
Transport costs have fallen for Australian households, a report shows, led by public transport discounts and falling fuel prices.
Drive with care: Uber launches service for extra help
A rideshare service trialled in the United States will be launched in Australia, letting caregivers book rides for the people they help.
Australia to be scored on its renewable energy progress
Australian efforts to cut emissions and generate more renewable electricity will be tracked and traced by a climate group.
Electric cars may save power grid, if drivers let them
Motorists could decide the future of Australia's energy networks by when they choose to buy an electric car and how they recharge it.
Plug in, get paid: EV drivers to tap into batteries
Electric vehicle drivers could plug their cars into the electricity grid and earn money next year following a partnership between two manufacturers.
Queensland on highway to hellish road toll record
The Sunshine State is trending towards the most road fatalities in a year with a major highway the scene of an increasing number of deaths.
Lingering doubts, end of subsidies put EVs in slow lane
Electric vehicle sales have dipped according to Australian Automobile Association figures, and experts say misconceptions and rebate removals are to blame.
Electric cars could keep lights on in Australian homes
The batteries inside electric cars could be used to power households in Australia before the end of the year after the release of technological standards.
Federal funding boost to electrify Australia’s big rigs
Leading Australian transport companies Linfox and Toll will add 54 electric trucks to their fleets in a bid to reduce emissions
New vehicle sales slow down as economy applies brakes
New vehicle sales have fallen in Australia for the third month in a row, with sales figures revealing private buyers were most likely to drive on by.
Trauma surgeons sound grim warning on e-scooter dangers
Medical officials worry the increasing use of electric bikes and scooters could further pressure already stretched hospital emergency departments.
Electric prime movers finally rolling into Australia
More companies are swapping heavy-duty diesel trucks for electric prime movers, but industry experts say regulations still need to change to get more on roads.
Australia to test drive a battery electric dual-cab ute
An electric ute prototype from Toyota will be put the test in Australia during the next year but there is no word on when it might be released for sale.
Australia urged not to pull the plug on hybrid tax cuts
Sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles are accelerating in Australia as a tax deadline approaches, but some automotive groups say an extension is needed.
Forget electric and focus on hybrid utes, inquiry hears
Australia is not ready to make a full switch to electric vehicles, an inquiry has heard, as the technology cannot accommodate farmers and tradespeople.
Car battery ‘passports’ could help manage growing waste
Australia should adopt a tracking scheme and battery passports like Europe to deal with the growing pile of electric car waste, an inquiry has heard.
No steering wheel, pedals: ready to ride in a Cybercab?
Tesla has unveiled its vision for self-driving taxis in a vehicle that has no manual driving controls. Experts say they are cautious but optimistic.
Push for fairer speeding fines based on driver’s income
A think tank is calling for speeding fines to be proportional to a driver's income, suggesting that the current system is unfair to low income earners.
Hybrids demoted to make way for electric Uber rides
Rideshare giant Uber is making changes to encourage more drivers to adopt electric vehicles, including knocking hybrid cars out of 'green' service.
Park your car to power your home: study probes EV tech
Electric cars could become energy storage solutions as part of a two-year project launched by the NRMA and university researchers.
Hybrid vehicles in fast lane, as petrol cars slow down
Australians are buying fewer new cars as the economy bites but hybrid vehicles are bucking the trend, sales figures have revealed.
Speed limit cuts needed to help fix road toll ‘crisis’
Speed limits need to be curbed to help tackle the 'absolute crisis' of the nation's spiralling road toll, road safety experts say.
History not on our side ahead of Qld election: LNP
Polls indicate a comfortable LNP victory is on the cards in Queensland but the opposition leader is playing down the likelihood he'll be premier in a month.
Electric cars crash through Aussie price barrier again
The price of electric cars has fallen in Australia again, with one popular model available for less than $31,000, but experts warn high-end EV sales may stall.
National safety rules needed to curb e-bike fire risks
Electric scooters, bicycles and skateboards should be inspected and some removed from online platforms following dangers identified in a NSW inquiry.
Tesla charges through Aussie electric vehicle milestone
Tesla has unveiled its 100th electric vehicle charging location in Australia, alongside a commitment to make 'range anxiety' a thing of the past.
Electric Mini Coopers recalled over major fire risk
More than 1400 electric vehicles have been recalled due to a serious issue with their batteries that could cause fires.
Aussie drivers need more electric utes, more incentives
Electric vehicles will not be adopted at rates necessary to reach emissions targets, an inquiry has heard, without tax and financial incentives.