Fuel News

This is going to make uncomfortable reading for a lot of mums and dads on the school run – especially as Australia is front and centre in the global boom in SUV sales. A report by the International Energy Agency released overnight says the massive growth in SUV sales around the world is offsetting the fuel savings being made in the latest small cars.

It seems the French have found a way around Australia's poor fuel quality, beating the rest of the world to bring the first petrol particulate filter (PPF) to our market in the new Peugeot 308 GT warm hatch. Peugeot Australia has confirmed that local versions of the 308 GT will indeed be fitted with a PPF, despite other manufacturers like Porsche and Volkswagen claiming they're unable to bring their PPF-fitted powertrains Down Under due to our sulphur-rich petroleum.

Volkswagen is turning to dealers in its push for revised emissions standards Down Under, arming dealer principals with a sternly-worded letter to hand their local member of parliament ahead of next year's Federal Election. The company has been one of the most vocal campaigners for revised legislation around vehicle emissions and fuel quality in Australia, lest we join what it's dubbed the 'automotive third world'.

Mercedes-Benz has committed to offering its F-Cell range of fuel-cell models in the short term, but the longer-term future of the technology appears to be bleak, based on comments made by the company’s chief at the 2017 Detroit motor show.

The company that sells V8 Mustang muscle cars by the boatload says that a significant number of new car buyers regret not opting for a more efficient vehicle, even if many of them have little idea how to make their cars use less juice. Ford Asia Pacific commissioned a buyer survey* of 9500 people across 11 markets — including Australia — and found that buyers here rank fuel efficiency as their top priority when purchasing a new vehicle.