Electric vehicles

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
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
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 photo)

New electric vehicle charger adds jolt to your Vancouver Island West Coast jaunt

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 photo)
West Shore RMCP’s new police cruiser is a Tesla Model Y. The detachment was chosen to test how the EV performs as part of its fleet. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

West Shore unveils RCMP’s first EV police cruiser

Data to be collected on Tesla Model Y’s performance to help RCMP make future fleet decisions

West Shore RMCP’s new police cruiser is a Tesla Model Y. The detachment was chosen to test how the EV performs as part of its fleet. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
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
Salmon Arm’s Jim McConnell and Juanita Austin spent 58 days over the summer travelling across the country to PEI and back in their electric vehicle. (Contributed)

Salmon Arm couple put their electric vehicle to the test in cross-Canada road trip

A Salmon Arm couple’s cross-Canada journey by electric vehicle had their EV…

Salmon Arm’s Jim McConnell and Juanita Austin spent 58 days over the summer travelling across the country to PEI and back in their electric vehicle. (Contributed)
Salmon Arm’s Jim McConnell and Juanita Austin spent 58 days over the summer travelling across the country to PEI and back in their electric vehicle. (Photo contributed)

Salmon Arm couple put their electric vehicle to the test in cross-Canada road trip

Juanita Austin and Jim McConnell suggest charging station network along Highway 1 could be better

Salmon Arm’s Jim McConnell and Juanita Austin spent 58 days over the summer travelling across the country to PEI and back in their electric vehicle. (Photo contributed)
Yasuhide Mizuno, representative director, chairman and CEO of Sony Honda Mobility Inc. speaks during a Sony news conference before the start of the CES tech show Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Sony unveils prototype EV, Afeela, to be made with Honda

First cars to be delivered to customers in North America in spring 2026

Yasuhide Mizuno, representative director, chairman and CEO of Sony Honda Mobility Inc. speaks during a Sony news conference before the start of the CES tech show Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the General Motors CAMI production plant in Ingersoll, Ont., on Dec. 5. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne

Canada moves to mandate electric vehicle sales starting in 2026

One-fifth of all passenger cars, SUVs and trucks sold in Canada in…

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the General Motors CAMI production plant in Ingersoll, Ont., on Dec. 5. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne
In addition to outfitting your vehicle with the right tires – preferably snow tires – it’s essential to slow down, accelerate and brake more slowly, and turn your lights on, day and night, notes Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC.

Plan for a safe holiday road trip

By Blair Qualey As the holiday season takes centre stage, this is…

  • Dec 26, 2022
In addition to outfitting your vehicle with the right tires – preferably snow tires – it’s essential to slow down, accelerate and brake more slowly, and turn your lights on, day and night, notes Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC.
Pat Dailey, co-owner of Inspire EV, works on an electrified 1965 Ford Mustang in Arvada, Colo., on Sept. 23, 2022. Dailey is part of a small but expanding group of tinkerers, racers, engineers, and entrepreneurs across the country, converting vintage cars and trucks into greener, often much faster, electric vehicles. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert)

Racers, mechanics, tinkerers converting classic cars to EVs

Electric powertrain conversions are becoming more mainstream

Pat Dailey, co-owner of Inspire EV, works on an electrified 1965 Ford Mustang in Arvada, Colo., on Sept. 23, 2022. Dailey is part of a small but expanding group of tinkerers, racers, engineers, and entrepreneurs across the country, converting vintage cars and trucks into greener, often much faster, electric vehicles. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the General Motors CAMI production plant in Ingersoll, Ont., on December 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne

Canada moves to mandate electric vehicle sales starting in 2026

One-fifth of all passenger cars, SUVs and trucks sold in Canada in…

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the General Motors CAMI production plant in Ingersoll, Ont., on December 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne
The Kia Telluride, and the Hyundai Palisade (below) are getting revised styling a new trims, but no changes to their powertrains. PHOTO: KIA

Changes coming for the Palisade and Telluride, updates for Leaf, Mustang + more

Changes coming for the full-size Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride Both eight-passenger…

  • Dec 19, 2022
The Kia Telluride, and the Hyundai Palisade (below) are getting revised styling a new trims, but no changes to their powertrains. PHOTO: KIA
The electric motor of the Bolt EUV, left, drives the front wheels with 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Maximum range is about 400 kilometres, which is just shy of the Bolt EV, above, which weighs 45 kilograms less.PHOTO: CHEVROLET

Chevrolet Bolt EUV brings space, range and practical design

There are actually very few electric vehicles on the market at the…

  • Dec 19, 2022
The electric motor of the Bolt EUV, left, drives the front wheels with 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Maximum range is about 400 kilometres, which is just shy of the Bolt EV, above, which weighs 45 kilograms less.PHOTO: CHEVROLET
Due to ongoing supply chain issues, the New Car Dealers Association of BC has decided to cancel the Vancouver International Auto Show for 2023. Photo courtesy NCDA BC

2023 Vancouver International Auto Show cancelled – but other event options being explored

By Blair Qualey As owners of the Vancouver International Auto Show, the…

  • Dec 12, 2022
Due to ongoing supply chain issues, the New Car Dealers Association of BC has decided to cancel the Vancouver International Auto Show for 2023. Photo courtesy NCDA BC