Electric vehicles

The GR Corolla’s special three-piece muffler with stainless-steel exhaust tips increases flow, which aids efficiency and performance of the 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine. PHOTO: TOYOTA

All the Corolla hatchback needed was a bit more power + AWD, but Toyota went all-in

Small hatchbacks make affordable fuel-sipping commuters that can tote a good amount…

  • Mar 30, 2023

 

City of Victoria electric vehicle chargers n Store Street. The city will need to ramp up the number of public chargers it builds in the coming years to keep up with the expected demand and its own timelines. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Jolt needed in Victoria’s electric vehicle charger rollout as city misses first target

Goal to build 650 over six years, but only 67 installed in 2022

 

The updated 2024 Cadillac XT4 gets new front styling and a 33-inch (84-centimetre) curved display to replace the current eight-inch screen. PHOTO: CADILLAC

The Auto Sleuth: New course for Cadillac; Updated Explorer + more

The Cadillac XT4 sets a course for modest changes For 2024, the…

  • Mar 27, 2023

 

The AWD SS is the first Blazer EV model to arrive. It’s also the most expensive, with loads of content, all-wheel-drive and 557 horsepower. The base 1LT is expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2024. PHOTO: CHEVROLET

2024 Chevy Blazer EV: have-it-your-way trim levels, plus a variety of power + price points

The familiar Chevrolet Blazer name, which was revived for 2020, will soon…

  • Mar 27, 2023
The AWD SS is the first Blazer EV model to arrive. It’s also the most expensive, with loads of content, all-wheel-drive and 557 horsepower. The base 1LT is expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2024. PHOTO: CHEVROLET
The Venue is 12.5 centimetres shorter than the next-up Hyundai Kona, although passenger room is similar. Where the Venue makes its sacrifice is total cargo room, lack of powertrain choice and it doesn’t offer all-wheel-drive. The Kona does. PHOTO: HYUNDAI

2023 Hyundai Venue: Introverted subcompact city runner is big on saving money

Big and brawny utility vehicles aren’t to everyone’s liking, or to their…

  • Mar 24, 2023
The Venue is 12.5 centimetres shorter than the next-up Hyundai Kona, although passenger room is similar. Where the Venue makes its sacrifice is total cargo room, lack of powertrain choice and it doesn’t offer all-wheel-drive. The Kona does. PHOTO: HYUNDAI
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
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.
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 Encore was cancelled, but the Encore GX gets new exterior styling and fresh interior with a large touch-screen. PHOTO: BUICK
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 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
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
During a visit from North Saanich, Kathy Sanderson and Phil Scott powered up their Tesla on Jan. 29 with a new fast charging unit recently installed by BC Hydro at the Pacific Rim Visitor Centre. Andrew Bailey / Westerly News photo

BC Hydro installs new electric vehicle charger at Tofino-Ucluelet junction

50-kilowatt fast charging unit doubles charging capacity at Pacific Rim Visitor Centre

During a visit from North Saanich, Kathy Sanderson and Phil Scott powered up their Tesla on Jan. 29 with a new fast charging unit recently installed by BC Hydro at the Pacific Rim Visitor Centre. Andrew Bailey / Westerly News photo
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
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