The New South Wales state government is seeking proposals for projects valued at $100 million or more that will address fuel security issues, including for renewable fuels and heavy electric vehicle charging hubs.

The state’s Investment Delivery Authority (IDA) is calling for expressions of interest (EoI) for support for projects that will boost supply, reduce the reliance on imports, and to encourage the development of new technologies.

The IDA round is focused on projects valued at $100 million or more that can directly improve fuel security, and includes a relatively wide definition that encompasses a range of technologies.

Heavy electric vehicle (EV) fleets and charging hubs are on the agenda, with a view to eventually reducing the state’s reliance on diesel.

Such projects would exclude all electric passenger vehicle fleets but include a wide array of commercial and fleet vehicles including rigid trucks, articulated trucks, and other freight or service vehicles.

The IDA is also willing to canvass projects that promote renewable fuels and their feedstocks – including aviation fuel, renewable diesel, biodiesel, biomethane, and green ammonia.

“We’re inviting industry to bring forward the next generation of fuel security projects,” said Daniel Mookhey, NSW state treasurer.

“This isn’t only an energy issue, it’s a cost-of-living issue for families and businesses across NSW. This is about partnering with investors to strengthen supply, support jobs and reduce our exposure to global fuel disruptions.

“By opening both an EOI and Market Sounding process, we are making sure we capture projects that are ready to proceed, as well as those that can shape future investment.”

Expressions of Interest will remain open till 11:59am Monday 22 June 2026 and projects can be submitted with the IDA here.

Sign up for The Driven’s free daily newsletter and get the latest EV news and analysis delivered straight to your inbox. 

Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.

Source link

Source link

Electric vehicle sales in March reached an all-time high in Australia, reaching a record number of 15,839 and a record share of 14.5 per cent – nearly double the share in the same month last year – as consumers searched out EVs amid the global fuel crisis.

The EV sales were led by China’s BYD, which once again overtook Tesla in total brand sales, but could have been higher were it not for many companies running out of stock. Tesla last week promised more ships, and more deliveries, after the wait time for its Model Y electric SUV blew out to several months.

BYD, which has a number of different models, sold a total of 4,206 EVs in March, beating Tesla with 3,485, although the Model Y regained its position as the top selling EV with 2,818 – which would put it at number 3 in the overall list behind the popular Ford and Toyota diesel utes.

Other EV makers also boosted sales, helped by multiple incentives that were already in place in March before Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, soaring prices and concerns about fuel supply as many servos ran out of fuel.

In March last year, EVs accounted for only 7.5% of total new car sales.

EV Sales Breakdown – March 2026

FCAI vFacts	12,194
EVC (Polestar + Tesla)	3,645
EV Sales Total (FCAI + EVC)	15,839
Total Vehicle Sales (FCAI + EVC)	108,703

For the first three months of the year, EV sales have doubled in Australia. Last year they totalled 17,901, and 2026 already shows 34,382 new electric cars made it onto the road.

In March, PHEV sales increased from the previous month, with 8,215 PHEVs sold, up from over 5,000 in February.

Looking into the EV models that made up the top 5 Tesla sales, the Tesla Model Y stayed at the top spot with 2,818 sales. The Sealion 7 SUV came in the second spot with 1,970 sales. 

The third spot went to Zeekr’s 7X, raking in 679 sales during the month. Tesla Model 3 and Geely EX5 made up the rest of the top 5.

Other notable mentions include the BYD Atto 1, Australia’s cheapest EV, which saw 488 sales in its best month to date. Omoda Jaecoo J5 EV also showed solid growth in the SUV segment, surpassing 500 sales in the month.

The best-selling EVs in March 2026 were:

• Tesla Model Y – 2,818 sales
• BYD Sealion 7 – 1,970 sales
• Zeekr 7X – 679 sales
• Tesla Model 3 – 667 sales
• Geely EX5 – 606 sales
• Kia EV5 – 587 sales
• BYD Atto 2 – 572 sales
• Omoda Jaecoo J5 – 569 sales
• BYD Atto 1 – 488 sales
• MG S5 – 475 sales
• BYD Atto 3 – 466 sales
• Kia EV3 – 461 sales

The Driven is waiting to hear back from various manufacturers regarding sales of some EV models, and this will be updated once they are received.  You can see our detailed data here: Australian electric vehicle sales by month in 2026 – by model and by brand

FCAI CEO Tony Weber said it is too early to determine whether this represents a structural shift in the market. “More consumers are considering EVs due to the disruption to fuel supply caused by conflict in the Middle East, along with the review into the fringe benefits tax concession for EVs,” he said in a statement.

“The automotive industry would welcome a sustained shift to EVs, given its substantial investment in bringing more than 100 EV models to the Australian market and the industry’s efforts to meet ambitious NVES targets.

 “A long-term shift to EVs will require Australian governments to sharpen their focus on public charging infrastructure, particularly in regional areas and locations where home charging is not practical.”

Will the recent growth in interest and EV lead times being pushed out for brands like Tesla and others impact upcoming monthly sales? Time will tell.  

See full details of EV sales for each month of the year in our database here.

Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.

Source link

Source link

It was 22 degrees where I live last night, making it very tempting to give my car a few extra minutes to warm up this morning before driving my kids to school. It’s also easy to find someone sitting in their car with the engine running in almost any major parking lot, but that’s not the activity of a driver who wants to save fuel costs. Idling, which is when you let your engine run when you’re not driving the vehicle, uses more fuel than you probably think, and it generates a load of nasty emissions in the process.

How Much Fuel Does Idling Actually Use?

The U.S. Department of Energy states that idling can use one-quarter to one-half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on the vehicle and the use of accessories (such as air conditioning). With climate controls turned off, idling could cost you up to $0.03 per minute. That might not seem like a lot at first, but consider how many times you’ve started your car 20-30 minutes before leaving the house in the morning or how long you’ve waited in the school pickup line with the engine running. The costs add up more quickly than you think.

Idling Is a Big Problem in the U.S.

While we’re mainly here to talk about fuel consumption, the cumulative effects of idling personal vehicles are staggering. The more than 250 million cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs on American roads burn 3 billion gallons of fuel and generate 30 million tons of CO2 each year, just by idling. We admit that there are situations when it’s necessary to leave your car running, but reducing idle time would have the same fuel-saving and emission-reduction effects as taking millions of vehicles off the road. 

You Could Get a Ticket

Depending on where you live, idling may be illegal. Several states and cities have banned idling, including New Jersey, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Maryland, and others. New York City and parts of California also have regulations that prohibit idling in many situations. 

Learn more about fuel economy and gas prices.

Tips to Reduce Idling

We aren’t telling you never to let your car idle, but there are several things you can do to reduce the time your car sits with the engine running.

Source link

Proper tire pressure plays an integral role in fuel economy that many drivers don’t realize. When tires are underinflated, they create more resistance as they move along the road. That extra resistance forces the engine to work harder, which uses more fuel and reduces mpg.
Even a small drop in tire pressure can affect efficiency. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, underinflated tires can reduce fuel economy by roughly 0.2% for every one psi drop in the average pressure of all four tires. Over time, that lost efficiency can add up at the pump.

Why Does Lower Tire Pressure Hurt MPG?

Underinflated tires are slightly flattened when they are in contact with the road, increasing what is known as rolling resistance. The greater the resistance, the more energy the vehicle needs to maintain speed. The extra workload means the engine burns more fuel to keep the vehicle moving.

Low tire pressure can also create additional problems beyond fuel economy, including :

• Uneven or premature tread wear
• Reducing handling performance
• A higher risk of the tire overheating

Fuel Economy Tips

How to Prevent Fuel Economy Loss From Low Tire Pressure

Keeping your tires properly inflated is one of the easiest ways to help protect mpg. A few simple habits can reduce rolling resistance, support more efficient driving, and help your vehicle make the most of every tank.

Tire pressure maintenance is small, but the payoff can be meaningful. These habits help drivers stay ahead of gradual air loss, shifting temperatures, and incorrect PSI readings that can quietly chip away at fuel economy.

Tires naturally lose air over time, and that gradual drop can add resistance on the road. Checking pressure at least once a month helps catch small changes before they start hurting fuel economy.

The correct tire pressure is set by the vehicle manufacturer for that specific model. Use the PSI listed on the driver’s door-jamb sticker or in the owner’s manual, not the maximum number molded into the tire sidewall.

For a more accurate reading, check pressure before driving or after the vehicle has been parked for several hours. Driving warms the tires and temporarily raises PSI, which can make a low tire look normal.

Watch Temperature Changes

Cooler weather can cause tire pressure to drop faster than many drivers expect. When temperatures swing or seasons change, make pressure checks part of your routine so mpg does not slip without notice.

Quick Take

Proper tire pressure helps support better fuel economy by reducing rolling resistance. It is one of the simplest maintenance checks drivers can do to help improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary tire wear, and keep the vehicle operating as intended.

The bottom line

Maintaining proper tire pressure doesn’t just help your tires last longer; it also helps them perform better. It can also improve your fuel economy and overall vehicle performance. Quick monthly pressure checks take only a few minutes and can help drivers save money on fuel while keeping their vehicle operating safely and efficiently.

Source link

Ever wondered if that little green “eco” light on your dash is actually translating to dollars saved? The short answer is yes, eco mode does save some fuel. The longer answer is that your eco mode fuel savings will vary based on factors like where you’re driving, how you’re driving, and what kind of car you’re driving.

What Is Eco Mode?

Depending on who you ask, the “eco” in eco mode stands for either “economy” or “economical.” Whichever term you (or your car’s manufacturer) prefer, the gist is savings. Eco mode is generally activated by the driver via a button or switch, though some cars will automatically show that you’re in eco mode when you’re driving efficiently. When it’s on, the car’s computer adjusts settings and controls to improve fuel economy.

Exactly which settings get adjusted depends on the specific vehicle and can include transmission shift timing, throttle response, air conditioning, and lights. You may notice that acceleration is more gradual, earlier shifting to high gears to keep engine speed lower, or reduced cooling intensity from your air conditioning.

How Much Fuel Does Eco Mode Save?

Some manufacturers boast eco mode savings up to 12% for some vehicles under controlled conditions. Recent testing by Consumer Reports estimated the true fuel savings from eco mode more conservatively, coming in at about 2 to 3 mpg. It doesn’t seem like much, but when gas prices rise, every bit of savings can help keep your money in your pocket rather than in the gas tank.

Factors that can impact the efficacy of eco mode include:

• Vehicle type: If your car has a smaller engine, eco mode can make your drive feel more sluggish. If you’re running casual errands close to home, you might not even notice it, but on longer drives you likely will. More throttle input to accelerate to highway speeds can actually waste fuel in these scenarios.
• Road and traffic conditions: Eco mode works best on highways at steady speeds. It’s also good for city driving, helping reduce pressure on your engine and transmission from frequent starts and stops. If you’re driving through steep or hilly terrain, hauling a packed car, or just need a little extra pep to merge onto a highway or pass another car, it’s not going to be efficient, and you are better off using sport mode (if your car has it).
• Driving habits: If you have a lead foot, frequently ride your brakes, or drive aggressively, you may cancel eco mode’s benefits. Eco mode shines with gentler driving techniques like slow, steady acceleration.

Final Thoughts About Eco Mode

If your car has eco mode, using it is a good way to improve your fuel economy — a bit. If you’re heading out on a longer trip with tougher or more unpredictable road conditions, eco mode might not ultimately benefit you all that much, but for regular, daily driving, it’s worthwhile to use. You likely won’t notice any major impact to your car’s performance, and you can feel good about making the ecological, economical choice.

Source link

Fuel spending is one of the most significant ongoing costs for today’s vehicle owners. Prices can fluctuate daily and vary widely from state to state, making it hard to know whether you’re getting the best deal. To help, we’ve assembled expert-backed articles and tips for boosting your fuel efficiency, gathered useful resources for tracking the best fuel prices locally and nationally, and included a handy search tool for fuel-economy estimates from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Let’s get rolling.

Jump to today’s gas prices.

Year
Select Year

Make
Select Make

Model
Select Model

Search MPG
Reset

Loading data…

Source: Data provided by fueleconomy.gov (U.S. EPA).
Results may vary based on specific trim and options. Actual mileage will vary with driving conditions.

Smart Fuel Savings Strategies

Driving Habits That Save Fuel

Avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking. Smooth, gradual speed changes can improve fuel economy by up to 40% in stop-and-go traffic.

Use cruise control on highways to maintain consistent speed. Each 5 mph over 50 mph reduces fuel economy like paying an extra $0.30 per gallon.

Turn off your engine if you’ll be stopped for more than 60 seconds. Idling wastes fuel and costs you money without moving an inch.

Remove unnecessary items from your vehicle. Every extra 100 pounds can reduce fuel economy by up to 2% depending on vehicle size.

Keep Your Vehicle in Top Shape

• ✓
  Check tire pressure monthly – Properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage by up to 3%
• ✓
  Replace air filters regularly – A clean air filter can improve acceleration and protect your engine
• ✓
  Use recommended motor oil – The right grade reduces friction and can improve fuel economy by 1-2%
• ✓
  Get regular tune-ups – A well-maintained engine runs more efficiently and saves fuel
• ✓
  Fix oxygen sensor issues – A faulty sensor can reduce mileage by up to 40%

Find the Best Gas Prices

Download gas price tracking apps to compare local stations in real-time. Many offer user-reported prices updated within the hour.

Gas prices typically rise on Thursdays and peak on weekends. Monday through Wednesday often offers the lowest prices of the week.

Sign up for station rewards programs and use affiliated credit cards. Many offer 5-10 cents per gallon in savings or cashback.

Membership warehouse stores often sell gas at lower prices than traditional stations. The savings can quickly offset membership costs.

Pro Tip: Plan Your Routes

Combine errands into one trip and plan the most efficient route. Multiple short trips from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a single trip covering the same distance. Apps with real-time traffic can help you avoid congestion and save fuel.

National Average Gas Prices

Source link

Is shelling out the money for fuel injection cleaning, which is sometimes suggested by garages and repair shops, a worthy investment in your vehicle? The odds are, your vehicle doesn’t need a fuel injector flush. If the car is performing normally and your “check engine” warning light isn’t illuminated, don’t fret over flushing the fuel injectors. 

Do Fuel Injectors Need To Be Flushed? 

Fuel injection service is part of a larger family of automotive maintenance procedures, including flushes for crankcases, power steering pumps, cooling systems, differentials, and other lubricated parts.

Carmakers have greatly improved fuel injection systems, and most high-quality gasoline is formulated with additives that help keep fuel injectors operating at full efficiency. Don’t allow an unscrupulous mechanic to talk you into an expensive flush that your car doesn’t need.

If the injectors ever do require flushing, your car will let you know.

What Are Fuel Injectors? 

Fuel injectors are part of the modern delivery system to get gasoline from a car’s tank into an engine’s combustion chamber. Once upon a time, a carburetor mixed fuel with air, which it then fed into the cylinder’s combustion chamber. A spark from the cylinder’s spark plug ignited the fuel-air mixture, driving that cylinder’s piston downward. A crankshaft connects the pistons, which, when fired in a series, spin the crankshaft, creating the energy that eventually works its way to the drive wheels.

Fuel injection has replaced the carburetor in passenger vehicles made over the past several decades. In simple terms, a fuel injector is an electronically-controlled valve. It functions to pressurize gasoline from the fuel pump and air from the intake into a fine mist as it enters the cylinder’s combustion chamber. One or more clogged injectors will reduce the engine’s efficiency and performance, potentially even causing it to stall. 

Do You Need a Fuel Injector Flush? 

Dirty fuel injectors can reveal themselves through various symptoms. Although some of the symptoms we list can be caused by various failures or malfunctions, dirty fuel injectors are certainly among them. 

Here are some symptoms of dirty fuel injectors to be on the lookout for: 

• “Check Engine” warning light illuminates: Any number of issues can cause the check engine light located within the gauge cluster to pop on. Something as innocuous as a loose fuel filler cap to more important issues, such as a failing catalytic converter, can trigger the check engine light. Only a trained professional or, if you are more of a do-it-yourselfer, using an OBD-II scanner to diagnose the problem yourself will expose the exact cause. 
• Trouble starting or stalling: If your engine is slow to start or does start and then stalls, the cause may be clogged fuel injectors. 
• Sluggish performance: A lack of engine response when goosing the accelerator pedal or if your car’s engine seems to struggle going uphill, the culprit could be dirty fuel injectors. 
• Black exhaust smoke: An extreme amount of black exhaust smoke can be traced back to compromised fuel injectors. 
• Fluctuating tachometer: If your car’s engine isn’t getting the ideal fuel-air mix, it may react with radically fluctuating RPMs. In other words, if your tachometer needle begins bouncing around when the car is idling, you could have a fuel injector issue. 
• Decreasing mpg: A noticeable drop in your car’s fuel economy may be another sign that the fuel injectors are malfunctioning. 
• Engine misfiring: Incomplete combustion or misfiring is often caused by fuel injectors not spraying the fuel-air mixture appropriately. 
• Rough idling: If your car vibrates or shakes when idling, its fuel injectors could be clogged. 

NOTE: If you need your fuel injector flushed, find a mechanic at a repair shop near you. You can also find maintenance schedules for your vehicle with repair pricing in your area. 

How To Avoid Dirty Fuel Injectors 

You can help ensure your fuel injectors remain healthy and operate at peak capacity by doing two things. 

Unless you are experiencing one or more of the dirty fuel injector symptoms listed above, don’t be too concerned about flushing the injectors. Buying quality gas and keeping up with routine maintenance should keep the fuel injectors performing at peak efficiency for miles to come, and in turn, help retain your car’s value over time.  

RELATED: Car Maintenance Guide: Everything You Need To Know 

Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its initial publication. Russ Heaps contributed to the report. 

Source link

What Is Flex Fuel: E85 Quick Facts

• E85 fuel is blended from about 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.
• Flex-fuel vehicles can use E85 or regular unleaded; traditional gas engines cannot use E85 flex fuel.
• E85 costs around 60 cents less per gallon than regular gas, but vehicles using it travel fewer miles per gallon.
• E85 is not available at every filling station.

Vehicles that can run on flexible fuel, a blend of gasoline and ethanol also known as “flex fuel,” gained popularity in the 1990s. In turn, manufacturers began producing new cars that could use this biofuel blend. But many motorists know little about ethanol-blended gasoline labeled E85 at gas pumps.

Even some owners of flex-fuel vehicles, or FFVs, have questions about gasoline-ethanol blends. Read on to learn about flex fuel and whether you can use E85 or other blended gas in your vehicle.

What Is Flex Fuel?

Flexible fuel is the general term for a renewable and domestically-produced alternative fuel that is gasoline blended with ethanol. Ethanol is made from a collection of plant materials, including corn. Most of the gas sold in the United States contains some ethanol. However, E85 for FFVs uses a higher percentage of ethanol. So, what is E85 gas?

Also known as flex fuel, E85 is a gasoline-ethanol blend containing between 51% to 85% ethanol, depending on the season and geographic region of the distributor. For example, E85 sold during colder months often has lower ethanol levels to produce the vapor pressure necessary for starting in cold temperatures.

RELATED: Types of Gasoline Explained: Learn the Differences

Can My Car Use Flex Fuel?

Manufacturers make flex-fuel vehicles with modified internal combustion engines using traditional gasoline and ethanol blends, such as E85. A badge with “Flex-Fuel,” “FFV,” or “E85” on the rear of the vehicle may indicate it is compatible with the alternative fuel.

Having a yellow gas cap is a good indication that the car can use flex fuel. If the vehicle has a capless fuel filler, a yellow ring around the hole where the nozzle is inserted indicates that E85 is compatible with the vehicle.

Using any octane level of gasoline in a flex-fuel vehicle is acceptable. The sensors in an FFV detect whether the fuel is pure gasoline or 85% ethanol and make necessary changes for optimal fuel injection and combustion timing.

Putting E85 in a car not designed for flexible fuel can be harmful. Always refer to the owner’s manual for specifications on the optimal fuel to use in your vehicle.

Can You Use Regular Gas in a Flex-Fuel Vehicle?

One benefit of flex-fuel vehicles is that they are also compatible with regular gasoline. FFV engines have sensors that detect the gasoline-ethanol ratio in the fuel and make adjustments for optimal performance.

Can You Use Flex Fuel in a Regular Gas Car?

Flex fuel, such as E85, can be used only in flex-fuel vehicles and will damage a traditional gasoline engine.

MORE: What Happens if You Put Diesel in a Gas Car?

Why Would I Use Flex Fuel?

Proponents of higher ethanol-gasoline blends cite lower greenhouse-gas emissions since flex fuel burns cleaner than pure gasoline, and its use reduces reliance on foreign oil. The primary ingredient in the production of ethanol is corn, a sustainable crop grown in the United States.

E85 costs less per gallon than regular gasoline, making it an attractive option. At this time, AAA reports the national average gas price for a gallon of E85 is about $2.23 — about 60 cents less than a gallon of regular unleaded gas.

Flex Fuel Disadvantages

While the price per gallon of E85 is typically less than that of regular gas, FFVs using the ethanol-gasoline blend have lower fuel economy ratings. In some cases, the difference in mileage is close to 25%.

For example, a 2023 Ford F-150 2WD FFV pickup with a 3.3-liter 6-cylinder engine achieves 21 mpg combined when using gasoline but only 16 mpg combined when using E85. Often, the lower price per gallon for E85 offsets the loss in mileage.

RELATED: Should You Use Premium Gas?

Availability of E85 and FFVs

Around 4,800 gas stations across the U.S. sell E85 flex fuel, mostly in corn-producing Eastern and Midwestern states. However, you can find vehicles compatible with E85 nationwide because those automobiles can also use traditional gasoline.

The number of flex-fuel vehicles on the road today is unclear. One study found 21 million FFVs in the U.S. in 2017. More recently, some estimate that more than 27 million vehicles are using flex fuel.

The number of new FFV offerings from manufacturers has decreased, as automakers shifted focus to hybrid and electric vehicles.

Three automotive brands — Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC — offer FFVs in the 2025 model year. Flex-fuel compatibility may depend on specific trim levels or engine selection. Additionally, some models using E85 may be designated for fleet sales only.

According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), more than 80 different models from eight manufacturers were available to consumers as recently as the model year 2015.

RELATED: Car Maintenance Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Other Ethanol Blends

E10

About 98% of the gasoline sold in the U.S. contains ethanol, typically E10 with 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline.

E15

Another blend, E15 (with 15% ethanol), entered the market in 2011. Sales were restricted during the summer months, but EPA waivers since 2021 have permitted year-round E15 sales. The EPA allows E15 for light-duty vehicles built after 2000. Manufacturers approve the use of E15 in approximately 95% of their model-year 2024 automobiles, according to a review of owner’s manuals and warranty statements by the trade group RFA. The group says the blend is available at more than 2,800 gas stations, and the average cost of E15 is about 25 cents per gallon less than regular unleaded.

E25

The RFA’s annual review indicates that E25 blends, containing up to 25% ethanol, are approved by the manufacturer for use in BMW and Mini vehicles. The 2024 Toyota GR Supra — developed with BMW — also allows E25.

E98

E98, 98% ethanol, is a popular fuel for some types of race cars.

If you’re trying to find the right car for you, check out our best cars and top 10 lists and the most fuel-efficient sedans.

Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its initial publication.

Source link