Hybrid sales charge ahead as electric cars slow down
Aussie drivers have snapped up a record number of new vehicles in 2024 despite challenging economic conditions, with big and hybrid vehicles popular.
road transport
EV crash victims could be left to die in battery fires
Emergency responders, mechanics and tow truck drivers need greater training in how to deal with electric vehicle crashes and fires, an inquiry has heard.
Electric and hybrid vehicles racing ahead in the ‘burbs
More electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are hitting the streets in outer suburbs where drivers are in the box seat to save the most money on petrol.
Why ‘noisy’ electric cars could save Australian lives
New rules will force electric and hybrid vehicles to make sounds at low speeds next year, in a move that could save the lives of Australian pedestrians.
air pollution
consumer goods
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
politics (general)
pollution
road transport
transport
Electric cars to make bigger impact than electric homes
Laws to reduce vehicle emissions are on track to make a bigger environmental impact than disconnecting gas appliances, according to a study.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
More Aussies to buy an electric car, but price a factor
Almost one in three motorists who intend to buy a car in the next year will shop for an electric model, but high prices are slowing adoption rates.
Sydney drivers cop big fines for ICE-ing electric bays
Blocking electric vehicle charging bays attracts penalties in most parts of Australia but figures show the fines are not being applied consistently.
Uber to let Australian teens ride solo, in some states
Passengers as young as 13 years old will be able to order a ride under a new service being launched by Uber in three states and territories.
Electric utes rolling to Australia, mining sites first
Australian mining companies will have more electric ute options after a local company partnered with Rivian to bring its low-emission vehicles to the country.
Ute-turn: electric, hybrid utes ready for Aussie launch
Electric and hybrid utes are queuing up to launch in Australia following policy changes, and experts say they offer benefits which could attract new fans.
‘Why not walk?’ Google Maps to roll out green features
Tech giant Google will introduce a series of features designed to save fuel or car trips to celebrate Earth Day.
consumer goods
energy (general)
energy saving
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Hybrid vehicle sales speed up while petrol loses spark
Hybrid cars have more than doubled in popularity in the past year, surpassing electric vehicles and eating into petrol and diesel car sales.
computing and information technology
consumers
research
research and development
road transport
safety of citizens
science and technology
technology (general)
transport
Tesla and Hyundai reveal plans to replace taxi drivers
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has promised to reveal a self-driving robotaxi in August but transport experts say autonomous technology is not ready for the road.
More Aussies to drive EVs but cost remains a speed bump
Two in every five Aussie motorists are expected to be driving an electric car in the next five years, even though the cost remains a hurdle for many road users.
Petrol car ban, greener taxis could halve emissions
Australians could halve transport pollution by the end of the decade and improve people's health with a new study showing the hard changes needed to get there.
Uber ride-share rival Ola hits the brakes in Australia
Ride-share company Ola will end its operations in Australia after six years, warning customers of the closure in an email.
automotive equipment
consumers
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
fine
road transport
transport
Another state powers up electric vehicle parking fines
Parking beside an electric car charger but failing to use it will risk penalties in another state after two new fines were introduced.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
diesel fuel
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
sales
transport
Big car sales boom but EV buyers are hitting the gas
Sports utility vehicles dominated new car sales in Australia during March, according to new figures, but sales of low-emission cars are accelerating.
Electric car price war resumes as one brand sets record
The price of the cheapest electric vehicle in Australia has dropped again, in a move experts say shows the fuel-efficiency standard is already working.
Bus driver set to plead to charges over fatal crash
Bus driver Brett Button is expected to enter pleas in May to almost 90 charges over a crash which killed 10 people in NSW's Hunter Valley.
Volkswagen to test car tech to make kangaroos go jump
Australian-made car technology that will play sounds kangaroos don't like will be tested in motion after receiving university approval.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumer issue - lifestyle and leisure
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
EV owners urged to change charging behaviour for Easter
Charge early and plan ahead: experts are advising electric vehicle drivers to be mindful of others to avoid queues during a record-breaking Easter holiday.
Middle of the road: compromise for utes, SUVs in rules
Rules to lower vehicle emissions in Australia will involve compromises for utes and some large four-wheel-drive vehicles following industry negotiations.
Call for e-bike and e-scooter restrictions, EV training
An inquiry is exploring if new rules are needed to safely operate electric and hybrid cars but it's two-wheeled vehicles that are getting the most attention.
alternative energy
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
energy
energy (general)
energy and resource
renewable energy
research
research and development
road transport
transport
Electric vehicles threaten to overtake hydrogen promise
The popularity of hydrogen cars is dropping in Australia and overseas, leading many experts to question the role it will play in the future of transport.
air pollution
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
politics (general)
road transport
transport
Most Aussies feel fuel cost pressures, want better cars
Most Australians support a vehicle efficiency standard but even more are feeling the pressure of fuel costs on household budgets.
air pollution
auto trends
automotive equipment
energy
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
heavy engineering
politics (general)
pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
‘Game-changing’ electric truck fleet launches in Sydney
The first 43 vehicles from Australia's largest electric truck trial have been unveiled in a move Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called a "game-changer".
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
consumers
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
Electric vehicles double amid calls for faster progress
Almost 100,000 new electric cars hit Australian roads last year but a new report is calling for faster adoption to meet climate targets.
Amazon plans to recruit ‘a handful’ of small businesses
US retail giant Amazon has revealed plans to expand its delivery network in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane using local small businesses.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
Why electric car dreams are becoming ‘suburban reality’
Outer suburbs are becoming hotspots for electric vehicles, with new figures showing the low-emission cars are more popular there than inner-city suburbs.
Volkswagen lodges protest against vehicle lobby group
Car group Volkswagen has become the latest manufacturer to withdraw support for Australia's peak car body but Toyota supports its calls for policy changes.