Experts back rules to snuff out e-bike, e-scooter fires
After a spate of house fires and injuries Australia urgently needs new rules governing electric bikes, scooters and skateboards, experts say.
transport
Australia could become ‘superpower’ in electric cars
Australia has the potential to become a 'global superpower' in the electric car industry and could make vehicles again, an event has heard.
Why electric car batteries may go round and round again
Automakers and regulators are working on ways to recycle electric vehicle batteries in Australia to avoid crashing into a new environmental barrier.
Why an electric vehicle could cut energy bills by $1700
Australians could cut their household bills by 75 per cent using an electric car now and even more with future technology, a Sydney innovation summit will hear.
Drivers face shocking fines for ‘ICEing’ electric cars
Australian motorists face fines of up to $3200 for parking in electric vehicle charging spots after changes to laws in four states and territories.
Supermarkets, department stores urged to go electric
A scorecard ranking Australian businesses on their green transport options has revealed surprising winners and losers, with supermarkets falling behind.
More flying coffees forecast as Google tests drone tech
Delivery drones will be able to pick up coffee or takeaway meals without human help in the next phase of Google's Australian technology trial.
Energy giant launches electric vehicle subscriptions
One of Australia's biggest energy firms will launch a subscription car service to get more EVs on the road and offer some customers free power to fuel them.
consumer goods
economy, business and finance
environmental issue
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Australian buyers charged a premium for electric cars
New figures show Australian car buyers can pay thousands of dollars more for some electric vehicles than buyers overseas.
Toyota faces ‘greenwashing’ claims over car emissions
Greenpeace has accused Australia's largest car maker of 'greenwashing' over its advertising and net-zero goals in a complaint lodged with the ACCC.
Electric vehicles spark rush to train 100,000 mechanics
Australia needs thousands more mechanics trained in how to service electric vehicles and time is running out to educate them.
Musk predicts AI-powered robots will outnumber humans
Tesla's boss has made a bold prediction about the popularity of humanoid robots in future while also unveiling plans to ramp up electric car production.
More than 200 cars deregistered over EV road user tax
The Victorian government has cancelled registrations for more than 200 vehicles as part of its low-emission vehicle road user charge being fought in court.
Drivers asked to go without a car in Uber experiment
Fifty Australian drivers will be paid to go without their own car for a month in a social experiment designed to accelerate transport trends.
Inland Rail $14.5b project ‘way over budget’, schedule
One of Australia's biggest transport projects is over budget, behind schedule and has been treated like a "vanity project", the federal minister has warned.
Low-profile electric vehicle chargers tested in Sydney
The first of 30,000 electric vehicle chargers mounted on power poles has launched in Sydney as part of a plan to help apartment dwellers power up their cars.
Australia risks losing race for carbon competitiveness
Some want emissions safeguards expanded to cover more industrial plants as a step towards an economy-wide carbon limit and price, but others warn of job losses.
Car pollution kills 11,000 Aussies, hospitalises more
More than 11,000 Australians are dying prematurely each year from vehicle pollution, according to a new study that calls for more cuts to car emissions.
When Aussies can expert EV prices to finally drop
A record number of electric cars are hitting Australia's second-hand market, forcing down prices. But experts say more drops are needed to increase adoption.
Billion-dollar rail deal to take trucks off the road
A major transport company has signed an 11-year deal to put more shipments on Australian railways, cutting trucks and carbon emissions.
Queensland reveals plans to power electric car trend
More Australian petrol stations will be turned into electric vehicle recharging hubs as Ampol ramps up its local rollout and EV numbers double.
Electric vehicle tax hearing recharges political row
A battle between state and federal governments over how electric vehicle owners will be charged for using roads continues inside and outside the courtroom.
Silent ‘life and death’ risk lurking in electric cars
Electric cars are too quiet to be safe, according to lobby groups and researchers, who say urgent policy changes are needed in Australia to protect pedestrians.
Petrol car ban will force Aussie drivers to go electric
Australians drivers may not be able to buy a new petrol or diesel car in 2035 after restrictions on their sale was approved in Europe.
Farmers, truckies, councils want $5.5b rural road fix
A new alliance of farmers, livestock carriers and local councils are calling on the federal government to provide $5.5 billion in emergency funding for roads.
Inland Rail review identifies ‘significant concerns’
An independent review of the Inland Rail project to connect Melbourne and Brisbane will expose "significant concerns" with the project.
Future of Victorian electric vehicle tax up in the air
The High Court is set to rule on whether Victoria's electric vehicle tax is constitutional in a case that could decide what levies states can impose.
Heavy-duty trucks go electric for Queensland trial
Electric trucks capable of carrying huge payloads will be driven on Queensland roads for three months in the latest zero-emission transport trial.
Water-damaged scooter batteries ‘ticking time bombs’
Firefighters warn e-scooter riders to keep an eye on their battery's condition after water damage sparked a house fire in the latest of several similar blazes.
Crucial court battle to set road tax for electric cars
How much electric vehicle drivers will pay to use Australian roads, and who will charge them, could be determined during an upcoming high-profile court case.
Australia nears electric car milestone but trails peers
More than 83,000 electric cars are being driven in Australia, a new report shows, but their adoption might not be fast enough to meet climate goals.