Will Tesla’s problems crash Australia’s electric dream?
The brand that has long led Australia's electric vehicle charge is falling out of favour. Can the nation's move to low-emission transport go on regardless?
road transport
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.
auto trends
automotive equipment
diesel fuel
energy
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
political campaigns
politics
politics (general)
pollution
road transport
transport
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.
Aussie road rules are not ready for self-driving cars
Road rules will need to be changed before autonomous vehicles become more common, or lawsuits could follow.
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.
computing and information technology
consumer goods
regulatory policy and organisation
research
research and development
road transport
safety of citizens
science and technology
software
technology (general)
transport
Aussie invention may cut the cost of self-driving cars
A single camera powered by artificial intelligence software could help drive future autonomous cars, slashing thousands of dollars from their production cost.
auto trends
national elections
political campaigns
politics
politics (general)
regulatory policy and organisation
road transport
safety of citizens
transport
Safety over politics: motoring groups call for change
Australia's peak motoring body will encourage its 9.5 million members to challenge federal election candidates on road safety, amid calls for more transparency.
Why electric cars can be uncommonly useful in cyclones
As Queenslanders prepared for a tropical cyclone, an Australian electric car company raced to fulfil an influx of orders to keep lights and fridges working.
New vehicle sales stuck in slow lane, even popular SUVs
Hybrids are among few vehicles to withstand a continuing slowdown in new vehicles sales, with one model racing into the top ten.
Plug-in hybrid car tax breaks about to hit the skids
Drivers have one month left to claim a tax break on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, amid calls for Labor to give the fuel-saving cars more support.
Airport rail link back on track as PM throws lifeline
Rail links between one of Australia's busiest airports and the city centre are mobile again after a funding lifeline from the state and federal governments.
Tesla owners sue for cars ‘falling flat’ on tech claims
Aussie drivers have launched a class action against Elon Musk's Tesla, claiming it over-promised what its cars could do and sold them with major defects.
Price and policy changes redirect Uber’s electric drive
Australian ride-share drivers could be about to lose a long-time electric vehicle discount but gain another as Uber adapts to market changes.
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy resources
energy saving
environmental issue
environmental politics
renewable energy
research
road transport
transport
Big changes needed to connect cars to the power grid
Most Australians want to turn their electric vehicle into a battery on wheels in future but there are still speed bumps to making the technology work.
Small cars show a big thirst for petrol in road tests
Three popular small cars, including a hybrid model, are among the latest vehicles found using more fuel than expected in Australian road tests.
How electric cars could drive down Aussie power bills
It's been sold as the technology that could turn your electric car into a money spinner but experts say vehicle-to-grid could be much more than a side hustle.
Kerbside charging boost to curb electric car concerns
Hundreds of electric vehicle chargers will be installed on power poles across three states in a bid to remove concerns about swapping to next-gen transport.
Flooding puts focus on failing major highway
Promises of a better Bruce Highway costing billions of dollars have followed another flooding of the major road which isolated towns and sparked rescues.
Electric vehicle sales brake as car market slows again
Australians bought fewer new cars in January, with electric car sales more than halving despite growing price competition and new limits on vehicle emissions.
air pollution
auto trends
automotive equipment
energy
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Electric kickstart: call to fund clean, greener trucks
Small transport companies need to adopt electric fleets to remain competitive, industry experts say, but many will need financial help to get there.
Dump fuel fees and tax all cars, motoring groups urge
The government should overhaul vehicle taxes in its upcoming budget, according to early submissions that say electric, hybrid and petrol drivers should pay.
Motoring body drives push for road safety ratings
Safety ratings on roads should be brought in by the federal government to guide major road funding decisions, the Australian Automobile Association says.
Ten-year national road safety plan ‘wildly off-track’
Increases in Australia's road toll over the past four years have been at a level not recorded since 1966, before the introduction of seatbelts.
Freeway cash splash as poll pitch enters the fast lane
A battleground state is being showered with hundreds of millions of dollars in poll pledges as Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton rev up unofficial campaigns.
auto trends
consumers
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy resources
environmental issue
environmental politics
politics (general)
regulatory policy and organisation
road transport
transport
Government urged to put brakes on fast EV charging plan
Allowing energy networks to install hundreds of car chargers could present problems, one firm warns, unless they are made to follow the same rules.
20,000 free rides: Uber and Kia’s Australian Open serve
Fifty electric vehicles will deliver Aussies around Melbourne during the Australian Open in a partnership designed to promote the transport technology.
automotive equipment
consumers
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
energy resources
energy saving
environmental issue
environmental politics
road transport
transport
Charge ahead faster: energy group proposes EV changes
Installing electric car chargers on power poles could be a solution to Australia's growing transport issues, one group says, and could roll out fast.
PM sharpens attack on nuclear in election-style tour
The prime minister is using a multi-state blitz to launch new offensives against the coalition's nuclear energy policy as the federal election looms.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
energy
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
politics (general)
pollution
road transport
transport
Rough road ahead despite record-breaking new car sales
Aussie motorists bought a record number of new vehicles during the year but experts warn the path ahead is rocky as momentum is already slowing.
PM hits the road to an election with multi-state blitz
The election year has begun with the prime minister making his first major promise as he embarks on a whirlwind cross-country crusade.