Electric cars crash Aussie records but utes top charts
Australians snapped up more electric cars during February than ever before, new figures show, but diesel utes dominated the ranks of most popular models.
road transport
Energy firm drives heavy duty electric vehicle plans
One of the nation's biggest power distributors has started adopting electric trucks as part of a plan to drive change in other firms.
Electric wreck picked to bits in pursuit of fire safety
Firefighters have dismantled a burnt-out electric car to confirm how it caught fire, but experts say incidents are far less frequent than people might expect.
Tech firm enters Australia’s electric car charging race
A technology services company behind the NBN rollout has revealed plans to focus on electric car infrastructure after identifying it as 'the next big thing'.
Electric joy rides in Canberra to support fuel standard
Expect to see more politicians behind the wheel of a small electric car in a show of support for new vehicle efficiency rules.
auto trends
consumer goods
consumers
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
Electric vehicle charging sparks concern among drivers
More than two in three Australians think the nation needs more electric vehicle charging stations even though their number almost doubled last year.
automotive equipment
consumer goods
energy (general)
energy saving
environmental issue
environmental pollution
road transport
transport
Tests show cars are dirtier and thirstier than promised
Some popular vehicles are using as much as 20 per cent more petrol than promised, road tests show, while others are secret high polluters.
air pollution
energy
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
renewable energy
research and development
road transport
technology (general)
transport
wireless technology
Drive-by charging on the cards for electric trucks
A world-first research project will attempt to recharge heavy-duty trucks wirelessly while they drive along roads in regional Australia.
Third time lucky the hope for fix to licence system
A major database holding images and home addresses of one in four Australians is decades old but replacing it has been plagued by issues, a report has found.
consumer goods
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Aussie drivers are paying more to fuel cars, study says
Australian ute drivers are paying hundreds of dollars more for fuel than their American and European counterparts, according to a new fuel-efficiency study.
Hyundai breaks ranks to support new car emissions rules
A popular car brand has voiced support for new rules that would cut vehicle emissions, saying Australia only has a short time to catch up to other countries.
First electric vehicle announced for Bathurst 500 race
A powerful electric Porsche has been tapped to take part in this year's Supercars season, including the Bathurst 500, as the safety vehicle.
Mazda fined $11.5m for misleading buyers on faulty cars
One of Australia's most popular car brands has been fined $11.5 million for misleading nine customers about their rights to refunds or replacement cars.
Cheap, damaged e-scooters may be banned in apartments
Apartment managers will be encouraged to restrict the use of e-scooter "cheap imports" in by-laws and educate residents about using technology safely.
auto trends
automotive equipment
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
politics (general)
renewable energy
road transport
transport
One in four Aussies consider an electric vehicle next
A study shows more Australian drivers are keen on electric cars but the group behind the research says it also shows bad news for a fuel-efficiency standard.
Funding boost and police blitz put road safety in focus
Road safety upgrades in Queensland will get a half a billion dollar boost under funding to improve urban, regional and remote streets, footpaths and cycleways.
alternative energy
auto trends
automotive equipment
diesel fuel
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Truth behind viral photo of ‘diesel-powered’ EV charger
An outback electric vehicle charger that went viral has yet to use its diesel generator backup to recharge one car, the Senate has heard.
Transurban half-year earnings up 7.5pct to $1.3b
Toll road operator Transurban says it had growth in all the markets it operates during the six months to December 31.
Aussie motorists show a big preference for big cars
SUVs and utes dominated new car sales in January, according to a new report, dwarfing passenger and electric vehicle sales.
‘Back to the future’ as Uber launches phone service
Like taxis before them, Uber has revealed plans to launch a phone hotline as part of a new service designed to get more seniors on board.
Choice at the heart of new fuel standards for motorists
Giving motorists more options for cheaper cars is at the heart of proposed fuel efficiency standards, the federal government says.
consumer goods
diesel fuel
energy (general)
energy saving
environmental issue
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Car buyers urged to sort the thrifty from the thirsty
A huge difference between the most and least efficient cars has been shown in a study of more than 650 models with some guzzling almost $4000 in fuel each year.
air pollution
automotive equipment
energy
environmental issue
environmental politics
petrol
politics
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Car efficiency standards to lower emissions, fuel costs
Australians will be able to breathe easier, spend less on fuel and have more choice at the car yard under proposed new efficiency standards for cars and utes.
‘Trackless trams’ tipped to save emissions and budgets
A leading urban planner says more Australian cities should adopt "trackless tram" technology to reduce suburban traffic and transport pollution.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumers
energy (general)
environmental issue
pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Summer charging queues down despite rise in EV sales
Public electric vehicle charging soared by 150 per cent during the holiday period, providers say, but better etiquette and greater options kept queues down.
air pollution
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer goods
environmental issue
environmental pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Car manufacturers pull up short on emission estimates
Automakers are still failing to accurately report their greenhouse gas emissions, a new analysis warns, and some brands fall well short of the target.
More than 500 Tesla Model 3s recalled for safety change
A new model of one of the most popular electric cars in Australia is being recalled for safety reasons just weeks after arriving in the country.
E-scooter deaths remain a mystery, motoring group warns
The number of people killed or injured in e-scooter accidents in Australia remains unclear due to inconsistent reporting between states, a group has warned.
auto trends
automotive equipment
consumer issue - macro economics
energy
energy (general)
environmental issue
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Power trial promises to fill up electric cars for $5
Australia's largest energy retailer is launching an electric vehicle trial that will deliver cheap power to drivers who recharge during off-peak times.
Major automaker recalls electric cars due to fire risk
A recall has been issued for more than 200 electric vehicles after Audi discovered an issue with their batteries that could increase the risk of a fire.
Toyota’s electric adverts spark confusion claims
An environmental group is calling on Australia's consumer watchdog to investigate Toyota over the way it advertises hybrid vehicles.