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The Guardian
10 hours ago
- The Guardian
Some electric cars fall short of claimed range by up to 23%, Australian motoring group finds
A government-funded program to test the true performance of vehicles has found the driving range of five popular electric cars is between 5% and 23% lower than results from laboratory testing. The Australian Automobile Association tested vehicles from Tesla, BYD, Kia and Smart – the first EVs to be put through its four-year, federally funded Real World Testing Program to give consumers more accurate information on vehicle performance. The extended range variant of the BYD Atto3 had the largest discrepancy, according to the AAA, with a real-world range of 369km, 23% lower than the 480km achieved in laboratory testing. The Smart #3 had the lowest, with only a 5% difference. The Tesla Model 3 had a real-world range 14% lower than the lab test. Tesla's Model Y and the Kia EV6 both had a real world range 8% lower. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Despite showing a gap between lab and real-world results, the AAA and electric vehicle industry representatives said the results should reduce range anxiety among consumers looking to buy an EV. The Electric Vehicle Council industry body's head of legal, policy and advocacy, Aman Gaur, said the AAA's results should 'give confidence that EVs have more than enough range for everyday Australians'. 'The average Australian drives 33km per day. This means that an EV with a range of 350km can be driven for more than 10 days before needing to be recharged,' he said. The results come after the AAA released a summary last month of tests on 114 petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles that showed 77% used more fuel than advertised. One in five also broke noxious emissions that were advertised from lab tests. Carmakers advertise the results of government-mandated laboratory tests on emissions, fuel efficiency and, in the case of EVs, their energy consumption and range with a fully charged battery. The government's Green Vehicle Guide lists the results for all vehicles. AAA's managing director, Michael Bradley, said the Real World Testing Program had found consumers couldn't always rely on the laboratory tests as an indicator of real-world performance. 'As more EVs enter our market, our testing will help consumers understand which new market entrants measure up on battery range,' he said. Vehicles tested in the AAA program are taken on a 93km circuit of urban, rural and highway roads around Geelong in Victoria using protocols based on European regulations. For electric vehicles, the program also measures how much electricity is needed to run the vehicle. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Gaur from the EVC said laboratory tests were in controlled conditions while real-world driving 'throws in all sorts of variables: traffic flows, hills, rough roads, weather, extra passenger or luggage weight, and the unique driving styles of motorists.' He added: 'Given the unpredictable nature of driving, it's inherently challenging for manufacturers to provide real-world estimates. Electric vehicle manufacturers are following the rules and advertising the test results that are required by law.' John Kananghinis, a spokesperson for LSH Auto, the importer and retailer of Smart EVs in Australia, said it was inevitable the 'stringent testing criteria of the AAA' would give different results than in a laboratory. 'To achieve such a low 5% variation is, we consider, a testament to the leading battery and overall EV technology that underpins the smart brand,' he said. 'We thank AAA for the work they undertook to give consumers a real-world view of the performance of EVs that, hopefully, further alleviates any residual range anxiety and helps to act as incentive to experience the future of urban motoring.' Battery and plug-in hybrid cars accounted for 12% of new car sales in the first half of 2025, up from 9.6% for the same period last year, EVC data shows. Guardian Australia has also contacted Tesla, BYD and Kia for comment.
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Toyota Australia employee left 'mortified' by memo sent to staff after a complaint about 'short skirt club' from customer
A woman who claimed she was forced to resign from her job at a Queensland car dealership after being questioned about the length of her skirt has had her unfair dismissal case thrown out. Product specialist Amy Tonkin lodged a complaint with the Fair Work Commission in February, accusing Mike Carney Toyota in Townsville of constructive dismissal following what she described as a humiliating HR investigation into her attire. The saga began on January 2 when Ms Tonkin was told to 'try on a larger skirt size' to ensure it would reach knee length or lower, during a meeting with HR staffer Lyndel Spokes. Ms Spokes said the review of the dealership's uniform policy was prompted by a customer complaint to management, alleging there was a 'short skirt club' at the business. Ms Spokes said the dealership did not believe the complaint was accurate but nonetheless took steps to ensure staff complied with the uniform policy. Ms Tonkin said that although the conversation with Ms Spokes made her uncomfortable, she understood the skirt she wore was non-compliant and intended to try on new skirts over the following weekend. However, she said she did not have time to try them on. The following Monday, Ms Spokes circulated a memo summarising the conversation to Ms Tonkin and her line managers. The memo noted that Ms Tonkin's body proportions had made it challenging to find a skirt that fit properly. Ms Tonkin said she was 'mortified' by the memo. The next day, she responded to Ms Spokes, asking why her managers had been copied in. 'I do however want to say that I was quite upset by the comments about my body shape, and remind the business how much embarrassment I have suffered as a result, and I was mortified that these were copied to other managers within the business. This action wasn't necessary,' she said. Ms Spokes replied with an apology, and Ms Tonkin asked if any other female staff had received similar treatment about their skirt length. A meeting was then held in the 'war room' on January 10, where Ms Tonkin was told it was innapropriate to request 'confidential HR information' about whether other staff were told to wear a longer skirt. After the meeting Ms Tonkin said she suffered a mental breakdown during an appointment with her doctor. She said she felt as though her body was the problem, and that it was her fault she didn't fit into the uniform. Her doctor provided a medical certificate declaring her unfit for work, and she returned to work 10 days later. At another meeting on January 14 with the dealership's former general manager, he reportedly told her 'it just never should have happened' and apologised. A further meeting was held on January 24, where the general manager once again 'reiterated that this is a simple request to wear some appropriate clothing' and inquired 'if she could go to the shops now and buy some trousers that conform,' his notes reveal. She agreed to go purchase new clothing and move on, but decided to resign after reflecting on her treatment from the employer. On January 28, she formally resigned from the car dealership after her request for an apology was denied. But in a ruling handed down last Friday, Fair Work Commission Deputy President Nicholas Lake dismissed Ms Tonkin's claim, stating she had not been unlawfully dismissed, as she had chosen to resign. However, Deputy President Lake criticised the employer's handling of the incident, calling it insensitive and suggesting the investigation into Ms Tonkin's appearance was inappropriate and poorly managed. 'Discussing an employee's skirt length in the context of a uniform policy is within management's prerogative,' he said. 'However, it should be obvious to any employer that a discussion regarding the length of an employee's skirt should be handled sensitively.' 'I agree that she should have been provided with an apology.' Despite the criticism, the Commission found that the conduct did not meet the threshold for unfair dismissal, and Ms Tonkin's claim was formally rejected.
Reuters
a day ago
- Reuters
TPG to acquire Australian automotive software firm Infomedia for over $420 million
Aug 6 (Reuters) - Australia's Infomedia ( opens new tab said on Wednesday it has agreed to be acquired by the Asia-focused private equity arm of asset manager TPG (TPG.O), opens new tab for an equity value of A$651 million ($421.33 million). Under the deal, shareholders in the ASX-listed firm would receive A$1.72 per share, reflecting an over 30% premium as compared to the stock's close on Tuesday. Infomedia provides software as a service (SaaS) solutions for the global automotive and motor service sector, offering clients data-driven solutions. It counts global carmakers BMW ( opens new tab, Audi and Cadillac among its customers, according to its website. The A$1.72 per-share offer sits close to what was offered for the firm back in 2022 by potential suitors from the United States. The cash consideration reflects an enterprise value of A$579 million, the company said. Infomedia is also allowed to pay its shareholders a fully franked dividend of up to 2 Australian cents per share for fiscal 2025 and a further special dividend of up to 2.9 Australian cents apiece. ($1 = 1.5451 Australian dollars)
