US-based former Australian transport management scaleup BetterFleet has raised US$15 million (A$23.7m) in a Series A. The round was led by US funds Aligned Climate Capital, Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF), and Remarkable Ventures Climate (RVC). BetterFleet was cofounded in Sydney by CEO Daniel and Nick Butlin as EVenergi in 2016. The software startup kicked off… Read more »
While the Tesla CEO is busy rage-tweeting, Roman saluting, dialling into far-right German political rallies, cutting aid funding and sacking US government workers, sales of his car brand in Australia, as well as the rest of the world have gone over a cliff, with January’s poor results continuing in February. The plunge for Nasdaq-listed EV… Read more »
Power retailer Amber Electric has acquired the electric vehicle (EV) smart charging app Charge HQ as the renewables-focused startup positions itself as a key player in the energy management solutions. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Charge HQ allows EV owners to recharge directly from rooftop solar, optimising it based on grid conditions… Read more »
With government subsidies, tax incentives and potential cost savings, plus the ability to lower business vehicles’ tailpipe emissions, small businesses are finding more reasons to transition to electric vehicles (EVs). Whether your motivator is financial, environmental or both, here’s a step-by-step guide if you’re considering making the switch for your business. 1. Evaluate your current business… Read more »
Just before the end of FY2024, my wife and I went for test drives in electric vehicles to replace the 10-year-old SUV we’d used to ferry two kids to schools, sports and holidays, often with friends and/or dog in the back. We planned to downsize and go electric. Three Volvos on over 20 years, we… Read more »
Just last year, data suggested plug-in hybrid cars were on the way out in Australia. But they’re back. New data shows plug-in hybrids and conventional hybrids combined have overtaken battery electric vehicle sales in the first quarter of 2024. The trend continued during April and May. In the first quarter last year, hybrids accounted for… Read more »
Advocates believe a perfect storm of competition concerns, new fuel efficiency standards and the axing of archaic parallel-import restrictions could provide “achievable change” that boosts the supply of electric vehicles (EVs) and slashes their prices by around $9,000. That’s the amount Australians are overpaying for EVs, former ACCC chair Allan Fels concluded in a recent analysis of price… Read more »
Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy, released today, details the government’s long-awaited plans to accelerate the adoption of these vehicles. Consultations on the strategy began last September. The climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, then promised the strategy would make Australia a globally competitive market for electric vehicles. Households and businesses would have access… Read more »
Electric vehicle sales are surging. Australian sales doubled in 2022 to 3.8% of all new vehicle purchases, and were up 780% in the first two months of 2023 compared to a year ago. In the United States, Europe and China, the market share of electric vehicles is much higher, helped by greater government support. As… Read more »
ASX-listed regional airline REX has taken a 20% stake in electric passenger planes startup Dovetail Electric Aviation. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. A REX board member will join the Dovetail board. The investment follows a collaboration partnership struck last year with REX, which provided Dovetail with a Beechcraft King Air as flying… Read more »
Melbourne aerospace startup Kite Magnetics has revealed its 120 kW air-cooled electric motor, the world’s most powerful for planes, at the Avalon Air Show. The lightweight motor, made from a unique new magnetic material called Aeroperm, is more powerful than a small car engine but only weighs as much as a full suitcase. Kite Magnetics… Read more »
NSW motoring mutual the NRMA has helped motorists with flat car batteries for a century and now it’s coming to the rescue of the next generation with roadside assistance for electric vehicles with flat batteries, putting patrol vans on the road with recharging battery packs. It’s baby steps for now, but a start. Just two… Read more »
Volvo Car Australia is putting the sword to the internal combustion engine in its vehicle range, pledging to go fully electric by 2026. The shift is four years earlier than the Swedish parent company’s 2030 global target and will mean the local Volvo business will need to get its skates on to replace the popular… Read more »
The Albanese government has introduced tax cuts to electric vehicles in its first sitting week, claiming the proposed changes would be “good for motorists, good for climate action and good for fleet purchases”. They won’t, however, help most Australians afford one. Labor plans to stop the “fringe benefits tax” applying to electric vehicles. This tax… Read more »
Australia’s largest public EV charging network, Chargefox, has been acquired by a consortium of motoring organisations, led by the NRMA, in a deal that values the business at $56 million. Australian Motoring Services (AMS) made up of the state-based membership groups NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAC, RAA and RACT, already had around a 40% stake in… Read more »
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Artificial intelligence expert Lee Hickin departs Microsoft to become National AI Centre director 
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