Trucks

Josie Osborne, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation, speaks during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. British Columbia’s government is accelerating its zero-emission vehicle targets so it can hit its goal five years sooner. Osborne says the province is the “first in the world” to put EV sales target into law. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. pressing the gas pedal on EV transition targets by 5 years

Aiming to mandate all new light-duty vehicles, passenger cars and trucks sold be EVs by 2035

Josie Osborne, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation, speaks during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. British Columbia’s government is accelerating its zero-emission vehicle targets so it can hit its goal five years sooner. Osborne says the province is the “first in the world” to put EV sales target into law. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Toyota’s fourth-generation hybrid arrives in spring. PHOTO: Toyota

Auto Almanac: Toyota’s 4th-gen hybrid; Fixing spongy brakes + more

DRAWING BOARD 2024 Toyota Prius: Toyota’s fourth-generation hybrid arrives in spring with…

  • Oct 22, 2023
Toyota’s fourth-generation hybrid arrives in spring. PHOTO: Toyota
The Audi E-tron GT has front and rear electric motors and a claimed best range of about 380 kilometres. That will definitely be lower if you take advantage of the car’s ample thrust that propels it to 60 mph (96-km/h) from rest in as little as 3.1 seconds. PHOTO: AUDI

2024 Audi E-tron GT: Sleek, premium-class electric sedan acts more like a sports car

Platform sharing when it comes to electric vehicles is quite common. One…

  • Oct 21, 2023
The Audi E-tron GT has front and rear electric motors and a claimed best range of about 380 kilometres. That will definitely be lower if you take advantage of the car’s ample thrust that propels it to 60 mph (96-km/h) from rest in as little as 3.1 seconds. PHOTO: AUDI
Tires displaying the 3-peaked mountain/snowflake symbol and M+S (mud and snow) tires both meet the legal requirement as long as they have least 3.5 mm of tread. Winter tires outperform M+S tires in cold and snowy conditions. Black Press file

October’s arrival means it’s time for winter tires

Designated highways require winter tires or chains from Oct. 1 to March 31, other routes to April 30

Tires displaying the 3-peaked mountain/snowflake symbol and M+S (mud and snow) tires both meet the legal requirement as long as they have least 3.5 mm of tread. Winter tires outperform M+S tires in cold and snowy conditions. Black Press file
The Mazda CX-9, pictured, continued while the new CX-90 was being brought online. Now it’s time for the CX-9 to bow out. PHOTO: MAZDA

Auto Sleuth: Welcome to the Lotus Eletre; farewell to Mazda’s CX-9 and Chrysler’s 300C

Say so long to the CX-9 You could say it was inevitable…

  • Sep 29, 2023
The Mazda CX-9, pictured, continued while the new CX-90 was being brought online. Now it’s time for the CX-9 to bow out. PHOTO: MAZDA
The most important aspect of a vehicle when it comes to safely navigating variable weather conditions is simple: get winter tires.

Oct. 1 means winter tires are mandatory on many B.C. routes

By Blair Qualey The change of season means a lot of things…

  • Sep 24, 2023
The most important aspect of a vehicle when it comes to safely navigating variable weather conditions is simple: get winter tires.
The orange 10th Anniversary Special Edition GR86 has dual exhaust outlets, exterior stripes, 18-inch forged alloy wheels and leather-trimmed seats with faux suede inserts. PHOTO: TOYOTA

2023 Toyota GR86: A rare find in a sea of practical transportation choices

Sports-car fans on a budget have few choices. Fortunately, the Toyota GR86…

  • Sep 24, 2023
The orange 10th Anniversary Special Edition GR86 has dual exhaust outlets, exterior stripes, 18-inch forged alloy wheels and leather-trimmed seats with faux suede inserts. PHOTO: TOYOTA
A transport truck hauling a large, square container slammed into an overpass in North Vancouver Tuesday night, snarling traffic on Highway 1 for hours. The RCMP logo is seen outside the force’s ‘E’ division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Licences yanked after transport truck plows into B.C. highway overpass

Firm’s entire fleet parked after traffic in North Vancouver snarled for hours, driver flees scene

A transport truck hauling a large, square container slammed into an overpass in North Vancouver Tuesday night, snarling traffic on Highway 1 for hours. The RCMP logo is seen outside the force’s ‘E’ division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
More than 110,000 zero emission vehicles are registered in B.C., most purchased with the benefit of the Clean BC Go Electric Passenger Vehicle Rebate Program, which the NCDA delivers in collaboration with the Province of British Columbia and funded by BC Hydro.

Canada crosses critical threshold in ZEV adoption

By Blair Qualey According to a recent Bloomberg Green analysis of zero…

  • Sep 11, 2023
More than 110,000 zero emission vehicles are registered in B.C., most purchased with the benefit of the Clean BC Go Electric Passenger Vehicle Rebate Program, which the NCDA delivers in collaboration with the Province of British Columbia and funded by BC Hydro.
The long-rumoured N version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (standard version pictured) will somewhat mirror the performance of the related Kia EV6 GT. PHOTO: HYUNDAI

The Auto Sleuth: Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 electric, Cadillac XT4 updates and more

Hyundai’s electric Ioniq 5 gets the performance treatment The N designation has…

  • Sep 8, 2023
The long-rumoured N version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (standard version pictured) will somewhat mirror the performance of the related Kia EV6 GT. PHOTO: HYUNDAI
Be extra cautious in and around school zones as children head back to school.

Back to school means drivers need to pay greater attention

By Blair Qualey It’s that time of year when summer is coming…

  • Sep 5, 2023
Be extra cautious in and around school zones as children head back to school.
The Buick Envista is a great looking vehicle that’s both cheaper and larger than the Encore GX. The Envista does not offer all-wheel-drive, however. PHOTO: BUICK

2024 Buick Envista: Beautiful and affordable, but limited

It’s interesting that Buick, with a long history of producing mostly larger…

  • Aug 31, 2023
The Buick Envista is a great looking vehicle that’s both cheaper and larger than the Encore GX. The Envista does not offer all-wheel-drive, however. PHOTO: BUICK
The long-rumoured N version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (standard version pictured) will somewhat mirror the performance of the related Kia EV6 GT. PHOTO: HYUNDAI

The Auto Sleuth: Hyundai’s electric Ioniq 5; Cadillac updates the XT4 + more

Hyundai’s electric Ioniq 5 gets the performance treatment: The N designation has…

  • Aug 31, 2023
The long-rumoured N version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (standard version pictured) will somewhat mirror the performance of the related Kia EV6 GT. PHOTO: HYUNDAI
A single vehicle semi-crash occurred near Sayward Aug. 27. The reasons why the semi-truck veered off the road is under investigation. Photo by Frank Morgan/Sayward Valley Fire Department

Driver lifted by air ambulance after semi-truck crash near Sayward

Wreckage and load cleanup began Aug. 28 after a crash on the afternoon of Aug. 27

  • Aug 29, 2023
A single vehicle semi-crash occurred near Sayward Aug. 27. The reasons why the semi-truck veered off the road is under investigation. Photo by Frank Morgan/Sayward Valley Fire Department
British Columbia is a vast province and those looking for that final summer road trip should research the endless opportunities that exist away from communities affected by wildfires.

Enjoy British Columbia but avoid travel into areas still impacted by fire damage

By Blair Qualey As we enter the final days of summer, I…

  • Aug 24, 2023
British Columbia is a vast province and those looking for that final summer road trip should research the endless opportunities that exist away from communities affected by wildfires.
The rugged and roomy 2023 Ascent should appeal to the brand’s existing fan base as well as new buyers.PHOTO: Subaru

2023 Subaru Ascent offers space for eight in an all-weather, all-road and trail package

For transporting families, on or off the main thoroughfares, the Ascent is…

  • Aug 24, 2023
The rugged and roomy 2023 Ascent should appeal to the brand’s existing fan base as well as new buyers.PHOTO: Subaru
<div>The Canadian trucking industry faces a shaky market as cargo volumes and freight rates continue to fall in the wake of soaring pandemic highs. A transport truck carries a cargo container at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>

Canada’s trucking industry facing leaner times as consumer demand drops

Costs have shot up while freight rates have plummeted

<div>The Canadian trucking industry faces a shaky market as cargo volumes and freight rates continue to fall in the wake of soaring pandemic highs. A transport truck carries a cargo container at port in Vancouver, on Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>
Be sure to plan ahead for your road trip to avoid issues due to road construction, forest fires or fully booked ferries or hotels.

A road trip without the stress. Is that even possible?

By Blair Qualey As we enter the final weeks of summer, there’s…

  • Aug 21, 2023
Be sure to plan ahead for your road trip to avoid issues due to road construction, forest fires or fully booked ferries or hotels.
For 2023, the UX is a hybrid only — and is called the 250h — with three electric motors. The third one, used to drive the rear wheels, only works up to 80 km/h. PHOTO: LEXUS

2023 Lexus UX 250h: Small, tall, sophisticated hatchback is a portal to Lexus luxury lineup

The entry-luxury utility bracket provides plenty of choices that are small in…

  • Aug 12, 2023
For 2023, the UX is a hybrid only — and is called the 250h — with three electric motors. The third one, used to drive the rear wheels, only works up to 80 km/h. PHOTO: LEXUS
On a road trip, some mishaps are also unavoidable; others can be prevented with a little pre-planning.

Preparing for a safe road trip

By Blair Qualey So many things can happen on a summer road…

  • Aug 9, 2023
On a road trip, some mishaps are also unavoidable; others can be prevented with a little pre-planning.