Electric vehicles

It’s anticipated the B.C. auto industry will need more than 20,000 new hires over the next 10 years to fill projected job openings across the sector, from technical positions to sales and management.

Addressing the labour shortage in B.C.’s auto sector

British Columbia’s new vehicle industry, like many other sectors, is in the…

  • Mar 20, 2023

 

The Encore was cancelled, but the Encore GX gets new exterior styling and fresh interior with a large touch-screen. PHOTO: BUICK

The Auto Sleuth: Updated Encore GX; Ferrari crossover a hit + more

The recent departure of the compact Encore utility vehicle leaves the similarly…

  • Mar 20, 2023

 

The Civic Type R has wider track – the distance between the left and right wheels — than the standard Civic, so the fenders are flared to cover the tires. The Type R is front-wheel-drive, but the Toyota GR Corolla, the Volkswagen Golf R and the Subaru WRX are all-wheel-drive. PHOTO: HONDA

Honda ‘hatches’ a new performance compact with more flair and finesse

From the bones of the latest Honda Civic comes a new powered-up…

  • Mar 17, 2023

 

The CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 (released in October 2021) proposes to complete B.C.’s Electric Highway by 2024 and reach a target of 10,000 public EV charging stations in B.C. by 2030.

The road to electric vehicle ownership

By Blair Qualey A recent survey by KPMG suggests that 70 per…

  • Mar 17, 2023
The CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 (released in October 2021) proposes to complete B.C.’s Electric Highway by 2024 and reach a target of 10,000 public EV charging stations in B.C. by 2030.
For the 2023 redesign, the doors and fenders have been smoothed, while the floating-style rear roof pillars maintain their familiar look. A new taillight bar extends the full width of the vehicle. The new RX is about the same length as before. PHOTO: LEXUS

2023 Lexus RX: The all-star in the Lexus stable keeps getting better with age

Through the past four generations spanning more than two decades, the Lexus…

  • Mar 14, 2023
For the 2023 redesign, the doors and fenders have been smoothed, while the floating-style rear roof pillars maintain their familiar look. A new taillight bar extends the full width of the vehicle. The new RX is about the same length as before. PHOTO: LEXUS
The Outback has standard all-wheel-drive although the base 2.5-litre four-cylinder takes a heavy foot on steeper inclines. The optional turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder has 56 per cent more peak torque, but you need to spring for a pricier trim to get it. PHOTO: SUBARU

For urban or backwoods travel, the 2023 Subaru Outback is prepared to deliver

Since its mid-1990s introduction, the Subaru Outback has kept up with the…

  • Mar 12, 2023
The Outback has standard all-wheel-drive although the base 2.5-litre four-cylinder takes a heavy foot on steeper inclines. The optional turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder has 56 per cent more peak torque, but you need to spring for a pricier trim to get it. PHOTO: SUBARU
Doug Ettinger, president and CEO of Canada Post, speaks at a press conference announcing that Nanaimo’s Canada Post depot is the first in the country to boast an all-electric corporate delivery fleet. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

Canada Post announces its first all-electric delivery fleet is in Nanaimo

Crown corporation making announcement today at East Wellington Road depot

Doug Ettinger, president and CEO of Canada Post, speaks at a press conference announcing that Nanaimo’s Canada Post depot is the first in the country to boast an all-electric corporate delivery fleet. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
To help keep the economy moving in the right direction, B.C.’s New Car Dealers advocate for policy and funding decisions that help encourage consumer spending and support jobs, and incentivize consumers through EV and charging equipment rebates.

Budget 2023 continues the path to a greener economy

By Blair Qualey When the B.C. government tabled Budget 2023 last week,…

  • Mar 6, 2023
To help keep the economy moving in the right direction, B.C.’s New Car Dealers advocate for policy and funding decisions that help encourage consumer spending and support jobs, and incentivize consumers through EV and charging equipment rebates.
The Silverado EV rides on GM’s Ultium battery platform, with front and rear electric motors driving all four wheels. Maximum range is estimated at 640 kilometres. PHOTO: CHEVROLET

Chevrolet’s Silverado EV: If an electric pickup can be popular, the EV movement has truly hit its stride

Electric cars are well and good, but with Dodge, Ford and General…

  • Mar 5, 2023
The Silverado EV rides on GM’s Ultium battery platform, with front and rear electric motors driving all four wheels. Maximum range is estimated at 640 kilometres. PHOTO: CHEVROLET
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tries his hand at driving an intelligent electric vehicle during a visit to the University of Trois-Rivieres, Wednesday, January 18, 2023 in Shawinigan, Que. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Lack of vehicles and infrastructure hampers effort to switch federal fleet to EVs

Around 17,000 vehicles need converting

  • Feb 22, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tries his hand at driving an intelligent electric vehicle during a visit to the University of Trois-Rivieres, Wednesday, January 18, 2023 in Shawinigan, Que. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
With a hiked up ride height, the Crown will have plenty of ground clearance to tackle the urban jungle.

The Auto Sleuth: A new Toyota nameplate; Rivian’s R1S heads to market + more

So long Avalon, hello Crown A Toyota nameplate that has existed in…

  • Feb 21, 2023
With a hiked up ride height, the Crown will have plenty of ground clearance to tackle the urban jungle.
The VinFast VF-8 seems like an average player in the EV space, so what will tempt buyers to commit to an unknown vehicle from an unfamiliar brand? The battery leasing should provide some confidence. PHOTO: VINFAST

2023 VinFast VF 8: What will draw buyers to this interesting newcomer from Vietnam?

You have to give credit to VinFast, the Vietnam-based automaker that’s rapidly…

  • Feb 19, 2023
The VinFast VF-8 seems like an average player in the EV space, so what will tempt buyers to commit to an unknown vehicle from an unfamiliar brand? The battery leasing should provide some confidence. PHOTO: VINFAST
There’s no question that new vehicle inventory continues to be a challenge, but those challenges are expected to begin easing through 2023 and into 2024, says Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. AdobeStock

Report on state of zero emission vehicle sales states the obvious – but lacks context

By Blair Qualey The New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA) takes…

  • Feb 18, 2023
There’s no question that new vehicle inventory continues to be a challenge, but those challenges are expected to begin easing through 2023 and into 2024, says Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. AdobeStock
The Polestar 3 will have front and rear electric motors and will be built alongside the Volvo XC90 in the United States. PHOTO: POLESTAR

The Auto Sleuth: New SUV for Polestar, Honda’s updated HR-V, Blazer goes electric + more

Enjoy this quick look at what’s happening in the auto world! Polestar…

  • Feb 11, 2023
The Polestar 3 will have front and rear electric motors and will be built alongside the Volvo XC90 in the United States. PHOTO: POLESTAR
All-wheel-drive bZ4X models get front and rear 80-kilowatt-hour motors that produce a net 214 horsepower. The drive system is supported by a 71.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack positioned in the floor. PHOTO: TOYOTA

Meet the 2023 Toyota bZ4X

Toyota’s expertise in hybrid systems makes going electric a natural next step

  • Feb 11, 2023
All-wheel-drive bZ4X models get front and rear 80-kilowatt-hour motors that produce a net 214 horsepower. The drive system is supported by a 71.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack positioned in the floor. PHOTO: TOYOTA
The market share of zero-emission light-duty ZEVs vehicle in Canada hit 9.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2022, an all-time high that shatters the previous best quarterly result of 8.3 per cent, recorded in Q1 last year. Photo courtesy the New Car Dealers Association

ZEV Sales in Canada on the upswing but not yet on pace with British Columbia

By Blair Qualey The latest report by S&P Global Mobility demonstrates that…

  • Feb 6, 2023
The market share of zero-emission light-duty ZEVs vehicle in Canada hit 9.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2022, an all-time high that shatters the previous best quarterly result of 8.3 per cent, recorded in Q1 last year. Photo courtesy the New Car Dealers Association
The Genesis GV60 uses the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6, although the GV60 is shorter than both. PHOTO: GENESIS

The Auto Sleuth: EVs from Hyundai, Honda + Volvo; A longer Defender from Land Rover

Welcome to the Sleuth, a look at the hot-of-the-press news from the…

  • Jan 31, 2023
The Genesis GV60 uses the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6, although the GV60 is shorter than both. PHOTO: GENESIS
Beautiful to look at and a pleasure to drive, all Electrified G80s use front and rear electric motors that deliver a net 365 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. PHOTO: GENESIS

2023 Genesis Electrified G80: Could this electric sedan be the benchmark to beat?

With each successive model, Hyundai’s premium Genesis division continues to challenge entrenched…

  • Jan 26, 2023
Beautiful to look at and a pleasure to drive, all Electrified G80s use front and rear electric motors that deliver a net 365 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. PHOTO: GENESIS
Supply chain issues that have plagued the automotive sector are expected to start easing this year, which should mean more new-vehicle inventory available to consumers.

Rollercoaster Continues for Auto Industry

By Blair Qualey Over the past few years, the auto industry has…

  • Jan 23, 2023
Supply chain issues that have plagued the automotive sector are expected to start easing this year, which should mean more new-vehicle inventory available to consumers.
The 2023 Honda CR-V is 7.5 centimetres longer than the current version and the cargo capacity for the hybrid will no longer be less than the nonhybrids. PHOTO: HONDA

The Auto Sleuth: Honda CR-V updates; Walmart picks Canoo + more

Updated Honda CR-V is larger, but the powertrains carry over The last…

  • Jan 19, 2023
The 2023 Honda CR-V is 7.5 centimetres longer than the current version and the cargo capacity for the hybrid will no longer be less than the nonhybrids. PHOTO: HONDA