Car News

Volkswagen's 'Local Hazard Warning' system has become the first piece of technology in almost six years to win a Euro NCAP award, claiming the safety body's ‘Advanced’ award in recognition of its unrealised potential to protect motorists from hazards. The communication system enables Volkswagen cars to warn fellow road users of upcoming road safety risks by transmitting a signal to nearby cars, emergency vehicles and road infrastructure.

Samsung has proposed a new type of solid-state battery smaller than a lithium-ion battery yet capable of storing more charge, and degrades more slowly than other iterations of this tech. The prototype – based on research towards driving “the expansion of electric vehicles (EVs)" – uses a new kind of anode that could potentially offer a longer usable lifespan of more than 1000 full charges.

As Australian sales of electric cars continue to rise and industry bodies urge the Federal Government to make charging infrastructure a national priority, it appears EVs have progressed beyond buzzword status to present-day reality.

Infrastructure Australia (IA) has identified the development of a fast-charging network for electric cars as one of Australia's highest national priorities over the next five years. In its Infrastructure Priority List 2020 – a guide to the investments required to "secure a sustainable and prosperous future" – the independent advisory body cited a lack of access to charging stations as a major hindrance to the uptake of electric cars.

Renault has expanded its electric vehicle portfolio with the launch of the urban-focused Twingo Z.E, a tiny battery-powered runabout that’s ready for a future where combustion engines are banned in population centres.