Loans for electric cars surge 90 percent in one month amid fuel crisis

Loans for electric cars surge 90 percent in one month amid fuel crisis

More Australians are preparing to pull the plug on their petrol cars, with new data revealing a massive 90 percent surge in loans for electric vehicles over the past month.

Petrol prices have climbed by 30 percent since the war broke out in the Middle East on February 28, strangling the fuel supply routes through the Straight of Hormuz.

With the cost of diesel now well over $3 a litre and the price of unleaded fuel hovering at around $2.20 in major cities, the prolonged pain at the bowser is causing motorists to rethink whether they want to remain at the mercy of rising fuel prices and supply issues.

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Australia's fuel shipments have been secured for 'well into' May, the nation's energy minister says.However he called for the critical shipping lane to be opened as the ongoing anguish over supplies continues.

According to non-bank lender MONEYME, applications for its Autopay EV loans nearly doubled between February and March 2026.

However, the shift isn't just a monthly blip, with EV demand surging 270 per cent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, the appetite for traditional fuel-only vehicles has plummeted, dropping 22 per cent in the last month alone.

"What is notable is the speed of change," Clayton Howes, CEO of MONEYME said. 

"A 90 per cent increase in a single month indicates that external shocks, including fuel shortages and price spikes, are accelerating decisions that may otherwise have taken years."

Demand for hybrid vehicles has also risen with the fin-tech lender, climbing 44 per cent year-on-year, and 9 per cent in the last month.

The shift in sentiment towards electric cars is echoed in carsales.com.au data, which showed searches for electric vehicles on the platform tripled in March compared to late February.

According to the carsales data, 55 per cent of Australians would now consider purchasing an EV—a massive jump from the 35 per cent recorded only last November. 

"Australians are responding directly to fuel price volatility and supply uncertainty," Howes added. "Access to finance is becoming a key enabler as more Australians move to secure vehicles that reduce their exposure to fuel price risk."

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Sydney expat slapped with drink driving charge on a Lime Bike

Sydney expat slapped with drink driving charge on a Lime Bike

A British expat has copped a fine for driving under the influence in Sydney while riding a Lime Bike on a footpath.

The maximum penalties for a first DUI offence in NSW include a court-imposed fine of $3300 and 18 months imprisonment.

Shocked that they could even be charged with DUI while riding an e-bike, the expat went to social media for lawyer recommendations.

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A British expat has copped a fine for driving under the influence in Sydney while riding a Lime Bike on a footpath.

"That's f--king tragic," one person responded to the post.

Another said they knew someone who had lost their licence after being charged with DUI on a bike.

Lime has strict rules against riding while intoxicated and requires riders to follow the same blood alcohol content laws that apply to their driver's license.

Riders without a license must have a BAC of zero.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson also confirmed it is an offence to ride a bicycle or e-bike while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in NSW.

"Driving while impaired can affect a rider's ability to properly control a bike and place themselves and other road users, including pedestrians, at risk," they told nine.com.au.

"Penalties can include court-imposed fines, licence disqualification and, in more serious matters, imprisonment."

In fact, it's illegal to ride a bike, including e-bikes, across most of Australia.

Can you get a DUI on an e-bike?

It's an offence to ride an e-bike under the influence of drugs or alcohol in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, the ACT, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.

It's technically not illegal to ride while intoxicated in the NT, but you can be fined $25 for riding dangerously.

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What are the penalties for riding an e-bike under the influence?

Penalties for riding an e-bike under the influence vary, depending on the jurisdiction where the offence occurs.

In NSW, the maximum penalty for a first offence is $3,300, imprisonment for 18 months, or both.

In Victoria, compliant e-bikes are considered bicycles, so riders are subject to the same rules as cyclists.

Those caught consuming alcohol while riding may face fines starting at $254.

Non-compliant e-bikes are considered motorcycles so riders are subject to the same rules as motorists.

Those caught riding under the influence face fines starting at $508, minimum three-months disqualification, and losing their license.

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In Queensland, e-bike riders caught riding under the influence face a $500 fine.

In the ACT, the same drink driving rules and penalties apply to e-bike riders as car drivers.

Penalties include fines starting at $825 and a minimum three-month disqualification.

In WA, e-bike riders are subject to the same drink and drug driving laws as motor vehicle drivers with fines starting at $1000.

In SA, e-bike riders caught riding while drunk face fines starting at $500, minimum three months disqualification, and demerit points.

In Tasmania, it's illegal to ride any bike while intoxicated, including e-bikes.

Those caught breaking the rules face fines starting at $410, minimum three months disqualification, and potential jail time for repeat or serious offenders.

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Can you lose your license for drink driving on an e-bike?

It depends on the state or territory where you're caught riding under the influence, and whether the case goes to court.

Riding an e-bike while intoxicated may lead to demerit points, disqualification and/or license suspension in NSW, Victoria, WA, SA, the ACT, and Tasmania.

What is the alcohol limit for e-bike riders in Australia?

It is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.05 per cent or higher in Australia.

The same limit applies to drink riding in the states and territories that enforce drink riding offences.

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Do drink driving laws apply on bike paths and footpaths?

Drink riding laws apply wherever you are riding, including on roads, bike paths and footpaths.

"Road safety is a shared responsibility, and we all have a role to play in helping each other get to our destinations safely," the Transport for NSW spokesperson said.

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Trial date set for Lehrmann rape allegations

Trial date set for Lehrmann rape allegations

Former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann's trial date to face rape charges can now be revealed after an application for a blanket non-publication order over the case was withdrawn.

Lehrmann, 30, is set to stand trial from November 2, just over five years after the alleged offences took place at a house in regional Queensland.

Lawyers for Nine Entertainment, News Corp and the ABC were informed last week that Lehrmann was no longer attempting to ban all media coverage of his court case before the trial.

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Bruce Lehrmann outside Sydney court (Kate Geraghty/Nine)

District Court Judge Deborah Richards on Tuesday confirmed the temporary non-publication order over the entire case had been allowed to expire.

On March 18, defence solicitor Zali Burrows had sought blanket suppression over the case, saying further news reports would generate "adverse publicity" and serve as a "vehicle for commentating on social media".

"We seek (the order) to preserve for Mr Lehrmann to have a fair trial," Ms Burrows said.

Judge Richards imposed the temporary non-publication order next day with the media organisations due to challenge a permanent order at a hearing on April 9.

When Ms Burrows was asked by Judge Richards if Lehrmann would seek a jury trial or a trial before a judge alone.

"It may be (before a jury). Mr Lehrmann is still deciding," Ms Burrows said.

Lehrmann is accused of raping a woman twice during the morning of October 10, 2021 after a night out in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane.

He was charged in January 2023 and committed in July 2024 to stand trial following hearings in Toowoomba Magistrates Court into the reliability of the alleged victim's evidence.

Lehrmann and the woman met during the previous night at a Toowoomba strip club.

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She told police she and Lehrmann discussed their political beliefs before catching a taxi to his friend's house, having consensual sex and consuming cocaine about 4am.

The woman said she was woken about 10am by Lehrmann sexually assaulting her.

Lehrmann, who is on bail, has yet to formally enter a plea but previously indicated he would contest the charges.

Lehrmann previously worked in Canberra's Parliament House for then Liberal senator and minister Linda Reynolds.

He sued Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson for defamation over an interview with former colleague Brittany Higgins, who claimed Lehrmann raped her in the ministerial office in 2019.

A criminal trial in the ACT on the charge of raping Ms Higgins was aborted in 2023 due to juror misconduct.

Lehrmann lost the defamation case after a Federal Court judge found in 2024, to the civil standard of proof, that he raped Ms Higgins.

Lehrmann has taken his case to the High Court in his third bid to win the defamation case.

If Lehrmann is denied further appeal, he could be forced into bankruptcy due to court orders he pay a $2 million legal bill to Ten.

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Winter blast to leave states reeling before severe storms this week

Winter blast to leave states reeling before severe storms this week

Multiple states are facing an early sample of winter this week as storms and a cold front sweep Australia's south-east.

Melbourne is facing a week of overcast skies and showers, with temperatures to fall from a top of 27 degrees on Thursday to a top of 17 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, and lows of 10 degrees or just below through the weekend.

Canberra will get as cold as just two degrees on Sunday and Monday, while lows of 9 degrees on the weekend are expected in Adelaide and 7 degrees in Hobart.

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Weatherzone said a trough would move across south-eastern Australia on Thursday, with severe thunderstorms expected in southern South Australia, Victoria and southern New South Wales.

"With strong winds aloft, these storms are likely to produce damaging wind gusts, with a chance of destructive winds in some areas," Weatherzone reported.

Gusts of more than 80km/h are expected over "elevated terrain", accelerating to 90km/h to 100km/h in alpine and mountainous regions.

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"After the cold front crosses later on Thursday, a much colder airmass will sweep across the south-east on (Friday), with a secondary trough and low driving a noticeable shift to wintry conditions into the weekend," Weatherzone said.

Snow could fall at heights of just 600m above sea level in Tasmania, while some could also been seen in Victoria, though only above 1000m.

"Cold air thunderstorms with small hail are also possible, marking a notable early-season wintry outbreak for April across southeast Australia," Weatherzone said.

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Australian flight attendant dies in horror Fiji crash

Australian flight attendant dies in horror Fiji crash

Family and friends are paying tribute to an Australian woman who died in a road accident in Fiji as she celebrated her 28th birthday.

Virgin Australia flight attendant Lucinta Evans was struck by a taxi that had hit another vehicle and veered off the road in Nadi on March 28.

In a heartbreaking post on Instagram, her sister Gabriana Evans said Lucinta was "truly full of life, with a light and energy that touched everyone who knew her".

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A picture of Virgin Australia flight attendant Lucinta Evans, who died after a road accident in Nadi, Fiji, on March 28.

"Right now, we are all trying to process this loss and ask for some privacy as we grieve together".

Lucinta's cabin manager Lissy Hyde posted a floral tribute to her colleague at the site of the crash.

"I won't be able to look after you anymore on our flights or anything about work. I ask you to look after us from above," she said.

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A floral tribute to Virgin Australia flight attendant Lucinta Evans, who died after a road accident in Nadi, Fiji, on March 28.

"Fly with us my girl, beat us to every destination so we know you're there. You are loved, and we will continue to live life as bright and loud as you."

Her funeral will be held in Sydney on Monday, April 13.

A Gofundme has been set up to support Lucinta's family and partner "during this incredibly difficult time".

"Alongside their grief, they are facing unexpected financial strain after the funeral. This fund is to help ease that burden, giving them the space and time to mourn and heal without added stress," the Gofundme campaign said.

"A portion of the funds will also be used in Lucinta's memory — through road safety advocacy or a memorial plaque — with the hope of raising awareness and helping prevent future incidents at this location."

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New 'severe' tropical cyclone looming for northern Australia

New 'severe' tropical cyclone looming for northern Australia

Residents in storm-lashed Far North Queensland could be facing another tropical cyclone in a few days, a potential second giant storm within just a few weeks.

The Bureau of Meteorology said today it was tracking severe Tropical Cyclone Maila, a category 3 storm, with sustained winds of 120 km/h and gusts of up to 165 km/h.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle last month was the latest to ravage Australia, tearing through north Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia as a cyclone and ex-cyclone.

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The bureau says Tropical Cyclone Maila is currently slow moving in the Solomon Sea, but is forecast to move towards the Far North Queensland coast later in the week, potentially crossing the coast on the weekend.

Residents who experienced damaging winds and flooding from Tropical Cyclone Narelle last month face more of the same if this latest severe weather system continues moving south-west.

This year's cyclone season, which runs until the end of this month, has already been a busy one, Weatherzone reports.

Tropical Cyclone Maila is the 11th named tropical cyclone to form in or move into the Australian region this season.

The cyclone should reach severe intensity (Category 3) by late next Sunday or early Monday, modelling suggests.

https://twitter.com/BOM_Qld/status/2040905409880277241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

"Should it cross the Cape York Peninsula, the system could weaken over land and then reintensify in the Gulf of Carpentaria, before impacting the eastern Top End early next week as it moves west," Weatherzone said.

It's too early to forecast whether Tropical Cyclone Maila will also impact Western Australia, forecasters say.

But they're reminding Top End communities to be mindful that a weakened or redeveloped system could bring heavy downpours and to check for updates.

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Qantas flight forced to make emergency return to Australia

Qantas flight forced to make emergency return to Australia

A Qantas passenger jet bound for the United States was forced to turn back to Australia due to a mid-air passenger health emergency.

Flight QF7 was about four hours into its journey from Sydney to Dallas yesterday when an onboard medical incident force the plane to divert near Fiji.

With the aircraft carrying too much fuel to land in Fiji, the pilots chose to return to Sydney so the passenger could receive further medical treatment and where Qantas has more resources.

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After changing course back to Sydney airport, the jet had to dump fuel at high altitude.

Among the passengers was Australian Olympic diver Sam Fricker who shared footage of the mid-air release of aviation fuel.

"Four hours into our flight from Sydney to Texas, there was a medical emergency on board and we had to turn around and head straight back home," Fricker wrote on Instagram.

"We've now got a couple of hours before we try again and make another run at getting to America to compete.

"Really hoping the person who had the medical emergency is okay and getting the care they need."

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Sam Fricker.

"It's sad to see them dumping fuel, we're over the ocean," Fricker said.

"It's also a tough time for fuel so I can't imagine how expensive this must be for them.

"It just goes to show the cost of human life is priceless, so if they can save their life, it's worth it."

The Iran war has disrupted global oil supplies of oil, with the price of aviation fuel soaring for airlines.

The rescheduled Dallas flight with a new crew departed Sydney around 9.25pm.

Qantas said safety was the airline's number one priority and it thanked customers on the flight for their patience and understanding.

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Taxi company's fear as fuel prices, Uber and 'rogue cowboys' smash industry

Taxi company's fear as fuel prices, Uber and 'rogue cowboys' smash industry

Regional taxi drivers and operators are still dealing with the devastating ripple effect of skyrocketing fuel prices despite promised relief from the government.

Some owners fear they will shut down if spiralling costs at the pump don't ease soon.

Crown Cabs director Jacqui Shephard said her fleet of 35 drivers across Victoria are doing it "tough".

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Crown Cabs Victoria

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She said the taxi company was already struggling with the rising popularity of rideshare apps and independent operators who shirk the regulations.

"We're looking at things like... do we stay open? And we've been looking at that for a little while," Shephard told Nine.com.au.

"Because we wear the fuel cost, which means that, with any more costs going up, it's not even worth us staying open."

Shephard said Crown Cabs' regular customers in regional communities rely on the service for wheelchair-friendly trips or to attend healthcare appointments.

Often, drivers are heading back to town with no passengers.

These "empty" rides still use up fuel and after diesel surged to over $3.20 a litre, that is potentially hundreds of dollars wasted.

TaxiGeneric petrol station in Sydney. Fuel, diesel, unleaded, oil, service station, prices, inflation, war, conflict, Iran. Ampol Petrol Station Chatswood East. Friday 27th March 2026 AFR photo Louie Douvis

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"Our costs have gone up considerably," Shephard added.

"It's really tough. And there doesn't seem to be any reaction or any support from the state or federal government."

Some taxi drivers have reported seeing their weekly diesel bill double from around $400 to over $800.

But taxi companies are not able to pass on the cost of fuel to customers due to the industry's tight regulations.

There is legislation capping the maximum fares that taxis can charge in Victoria, meaning surcharges to cope with the cost of fuel are out of the question.

Even if they could, Shephard said her customers are "already struggling enough" as it is.

"We want to be there to help those people. We're not going to be raising our prices ridiculously - and we can't," she said.

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Meanwhile, rideshare companies DiDi and Uber have been able to introduce temporary levies to help out drivers.

Shephard said there has been a rise of independent drivers who refuse to play by the rules too.

"We have to abide by everything," Shephard said.

"And you've got all the idependents who are just rogue cowboys who take work away from those doing the right thing and give the industry a bad name."

For companies like Crown Cabs, it remains to be seen if the federal government's decision to halve the fuel excise for three months will help lower costs.

The government convened in a national cabinet meeting yesterday to urgently discuss ways to ease the supply issues and high prices impacting motorists.

Fuel availability is dwindling around the country as stock is depleted.

In Victoria alone, out of a total of 1,627 petrol stations, 82 are without diesel and 40 are without any petrol at all.

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Artemis II's moonbound astronauts capture Earth's brilliant blue beauty

Artemis II's moonbound astronauts capture Earth's brilliant blue beauty

The Artemis II astronauts have captured our blue planet’s brilliant beauty as they zoom ever closer to the moon.

NASA released the crew’s first downlinked images on Friday, one and a half days into the first astronaut moonshot in more than half a century.

The first photo taken by commander Reid Wiseman shows a curved slice of Earth in one of the capsule’s windows.

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This image provided by NASA shows a view of Earth taken by NASA astronaut and Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman from of the Orion spacecraft's window after completing the translunar injection burn on April 2, 2026. This image provided by NASA shows a downlink image of Earth taken by NASAs Artemis II astronaut commander Reid Wiseman inside the Orion capsule.

The second shows the entire globe with the oceans topped by swirling white tendrils of clouds. A green aurora even glows, according to NASA.

“It’s great to think that with the exception of our four friends, all of us are represented in this image," said NASA's Lakiesha Hawkins, an exploration systems leader. She added the mission was going well.

As of late Friday afternoon, Wiseman and his crew were more than 180,000 kilometres from Earth and were quickly gaining on the moon with another 240,000 kilometres to go. They should reach their destination on Monday.

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This image taken from video provided by NASA shows the Artemis II crew, from left, Canadian astronaut and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, Commander Reid Wiseman, mission specialist Christina Koch and pilot Victor Glover as they appear on a video conference from the moon's orbit.In this photo provided by NASA, a view of the Earth from NASA's Orion spacecraft as it orbits above the planet during the Artemis II test flight.

The three Americans and one Canadian will swing around the moon in their Orion capsule, hang a U-turn and then head straight back home without stopping.

They fired Orion's main engine on Thursday night that set them on their course.

After Mission Control shifted the position of their capsule, the entire Earth complete with northern lights filled their windows.

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NASA's Artemis II moon rocket

“It was the most spectacular moment, and it paused all four of us in our tracks,” Wiseman said in a TV interview.

They're the first lunar travelers since Apollo 17 in 1972.

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Multiple men charged following alleged plan to import multiple tonnes of drugs into Victoria

Multiple men charged following alleged plan to import multiple tonnes of drugs into Victoria

Nine men have been charged in a multi-agency operation investigating an alleged syndicate behind the importation of tonnes of illicit drugs into Victoria and the trafficking across the country.

The ten-month investigation has seen nine alleged offenders, aged between 31 and 72, charged with a range of offences relating to the alleged conspiracy of interstate drug trafficking.

Seven of the men are now facing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if found guilty.

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Nine men have been charged for their alleged links to a syndicate behind a large-scale conspiracy to import tonnes of illicit drugs into Victoria and traffic drugs around the country.

The operation began in May last year after four crew members were rescued offshore following the sinking of a commercial trawler off Port Albert in Victoria.

The crew's movements were monitored following suspicions about why the vessel was out at sea in poor weather without the equipment usually used for commercial fishing.

For months after the incident, police kept close watch on multiple local boats they suspected were linked to a drug importation syndicate.

Authorities will allege the syndicate unsuccessfully made multiple attempts to travel in the Bass Strait so they could launch "daughter vessels" to receive large quantities of drugs from a "mother ship" passing through Australian waters.

Multiple search warrants were executed over the past month across suburbs in Victoria, including Morwell, Glenroy, Cranbourne, Cranbourne West, Cranbourne South and Greenvale.

A warrant was also executed in St Clair, a suburb in Sydney's west.

Following the searches, eight men were arrested in Victoria, and one man was arrested in Sydney.

Police charged seven of the men for their alleged roles in conspiracy to import drugs into the country, while two were charged for their alleged involvement in drug activity.

Four of the men were also charged in relation to the seizure of 30kg of methamphetamine in Perth on August 11 last year and the confiscation of 41kg of cocaine by Victorian police just two days later.

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Nine men have been charged for their alleged links to a syndicate behind a large-scale conspiracy to import tonnes of illicit drugs into Victoria and traffic drugs around the country.

Police will allege these two incidents are tied to the syndicate, which would allegedly exploit ties to the trucking industry to move illicit drugs interstate.

Police have not ruled out further arrests as they continue to investigate the international syndicate behind an alleged mothership attempting to drop illicit cargo into Australian waters.

"Organised criminals are sending their business to our shores because of the insatiable Australian demand for illicit commodities and the community's willingness to pay top dollar for them," AFP Detective Superintendent Ray Imbriano said.

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