Electric vehicles

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
Harbour Air’s electric-powered de Havilland Beaver was among the projects that had benefited from previous funding through the CleanBC Go Electric Advanced Research and Commercialization program. The province recently announced $5 million for another round of funding. (Photo courtesy of British Columbia Aviation Museum)

Province defends size of investment in zero-emission vehicle research

Transportation sector responsible for 40 per cent of all greenhouse gases in B.C.

Harbour Air’s electric-powered de Havilland Beaver was among the projects that had benefited from previous funding through the CleanBC Go Electric Advanced Research and Commercialization program. The province recently announced $5 million for another round of funding. (Photo courtesy of British Columbia Aviation Museum)
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.
There’s not a lot of space behind the EX30’s rear seat, but there is storage under the hood. The single-motor (rear mounted) version is rated at 268 horsepower while the two-motor version (front and rear) is rated at 422. PHOTO: VOLVO

Compact 2025 Volvo EX30 is smooth, but the price might be its most interesting feature

Keeping pace with the competition in the premium class appears to be…

  • Aug 9, 2023
There’s not a lot of space behind the EX30’s rear seat, but there is storage under the hood. The single-motor (rear mounted) version is rated at 268 horsepower while the two-motor version (front and rear) is rated at 422. PHOTO: VOLVO
The electric vehicle charging station in Port Hardy, B.C. (BC Hydro photo)

EV rebates suggest uptake in battery-powered cars soared in spring

Rebates nearly doubled in second quarter over the first 3 months of 2023

The electric vehicle charging station in Port Hardy, B.C. (BC Hydro photo)
An electric vehicle is charged in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Canada is inching closer to reaching a milestone where one in every 10 passenger vehicles sold is powered by electricity. But the federal government wants the share of electric vehicles to be twice that in just two years and the pace of EV sales has to jump significantly for that to happen. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canadian electric vehicle registrations inch closer to government target

EVs made up 8.6 per cent of passenger vehicles added to Canadian roads first 3 months of this year

An electric vehicle is charged in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Canada is inching closer to reaching a milestone where one in every 10 passenger vehicles sold is powered by electricity. But the federal government wants the share of electric vehicles to be twice that in just two years and the pace of EV sales has to jump significantly for that to happen. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Ford Electric F-150 Lightning Truck (Ford Canada Facebook)

Ford triples electric truck output after a six-week shutdown of a factory

Ford shut down a Dearborn factory to upgrade equipment and increase capacity

Ford Electric F-150 Lightning Truck (Ford Canada Facebook)
Pets can be great road trip companions, when we keep a few safety tips in mind.

Keep your pets safe for road trip season

By Blair Qualey As hot weather takes hold, many of us will…

  • Jul 31, 2023
Pets can be great road trip companions, when we keep a few safety tips in mind.
The redesigned Nissan Sentra gets a sharp looking front end and more standard active-safety technology. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine carries over. PHOTO: NISSAN

Auto Sleuth: Sentra returns for 2024; Toyota eyes solid-state batteries + more

The Nissan Sentra nameplate returns for 2024, looking better than ever Changes…

  • Jul 30, 2023
The redesigned Nissan Sentra gets a sharp looking front end and more standard active-safety technology. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine carries over. PHOTO: NISSAN
The RZ 450e’s front and rear electric motors, supported by a 71.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack, produce a net 308 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Maximum range, according to Lexus, is 354 kilometres if the RZ has 18-inch wheels. That drops to 315 kilometres with the larger/heavier 20-inch wheels. PHOTO: LEXUS

Lexus RZ 450e: Brand’s first electric vehicle lands in the crossover sweet spot

Toyota and its upscale Lexus division are leaders when it comes to…

  • Jul 27, 2023
The RZ 450e’s front and rear electric motors, supported by a 71.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack, produce a net 308 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Maximum range, according to Lexus, is 354 kilometres if the RZ has 18-inch wheels. That drops to 315 kilometres with the larger/heavier 20-inch wheels. PHOTO: LEXUS
The summer heat can double the temperature under the hood of your car, which is one of the most common causes for a vehicle to break down.

Protecting your car from the summer heat

By Blair Qualey During the hot summer days, we take steps to…

  • Jul 17, 2023
The summer heat can double the temperature under the hood of your car, which is one of the most common causes for a vehicle to break down.
The Lexus GX is a more truck-like body-on-frame vehicle, compared to the Lexus TX. PHOTO: LEXUS

The Auto Sleuth: 2 new Lexus models; Volvo goes small + more

Lexus introduces two new “X” models for 2024 Toyota’s upscale division has…

  • Jul 17, 2023
The Lexus GX is a more truck-like body-on-frame vehicle, compared to the Lexus TX. PHOTO: LEXUS
If the cream always rises to the top, then the Celestiq is likely the creamiest vehicle that Cadillac has ever created. PHOTO: CADILLAC

What would a $300,000-plus Cadillac EV look like? Time to find out…

Meet the 2024 Cadillac Celestiq

  • Jul 17, 2023
If the cream always rises to the top, then the Celestiq is likely the creamiest vehicle that Cadillac has ever created. PHOTO: CADILLAC
If a road trip is on your summer to-do list, Hello BC provides some great information on some of the province’s most scenic drives, and DriveBC provides invaluable driving condition updates. Stock

Summer road trip season is here!

By Blair Qualey Children have celebrated the end of the school year…

  • Jul 9, 2023
If a road trip is on your summer to-do list, Hello BC provides some great information on some of the province’s most scenic drives, and DriveBC provides invaluable driving condition updates. Stock
The styling update for 2024 keeps the Encore GX looking fresh, although the previous low-powered three-cylinder engines carry over. All-wheel-drive is optional. Note Buick’s updated crest consisting of three shields. PHOTO: BUICK

2024 Buick Encore GX: Affordable and stylish subcompact keeps performance on the down-low

With its days of producing cushy family sedans in the distant past,…

  • Jul 8, 2023
The styling update for 2024 keeps the Encore GX looking fresh, although the previous low-powered three-cylinder engines carry over. All-wheel-drive is optional. Note Buick’s updated crest consisting of three shields. PHOTO: BUICK
The new Dark Horse model — with a limited-slip differential, grippy summer tires and adaptive suspension, among other hardware — is for buyers who long for performance approaching that of the previous GT350. The Dark Horse will likely have better low-speed power. PHOTO: FORD

2024 Ford Mustang: A return to its heritage-driven glory and brash behaviour

For Mustang devotees, heartbeats quicken, blood pressures rise and palms moisten in…

  • Jun 24, 2023
The new Dark Horse model — with a limited-slip differential, grippy summer tires and adaptive suspension, among other hardware — is for buyers who long for performance approaching that of the previous GT350. The Dark Horse will likely have better low-speed power. PHOTO: FORD
The restyled 2024 Jeep Wrangler retains its previous selection of powertrain options, including the plug-in hybrid. PHOTO: STELLANTIS

The Auto Sleuth: Wrangler updates; Hyundai eyes a new coupe + more

Enjoy a brief look at what’s making news in the auto world……

  • Jun 23, 2023
The restyled 2024 Jeep Wrangler retains its previous selection of powertrain options, including the plug-in hybrid. PHOTO: STELLANTIS
The New Car Dealers Association of B.C. anticipates the need for 20,000 auto industry workers in the province over the next decade, in all facets of the industry.

New Car Dealers make provincial pre-budget submission

By Blair Qualey An important part of the provincial budget process is…

  • Jun 22, 2023
The New Car Dealers Association of B.C. anticipates the need for 20,000 auto industry workers in the province over the next decade, in all facets of the industry.
The Tonale’s available hybrid system consists of a turbocharged 1.3-litre gasoline four-cylinder supported by a 121-horsepower electric motor for the rear wheels. Net output is 285 horsepower. PHOTO: ALFA ROMEO

2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale: An Italian compact utility vehicle for the masses?

Alfa Romeo is one of three Italy-based brands available in North America…

  • Jun 22, 2023
The Tonale’s available hybrid system consists of a turbocharged 1.3-litre gasoline four-cylinder supported by a 121-horsepower electric motor for the rear wheels. Net output is 285 horsepower. PHOTO: ALFA ROMEO
The electric Jeep Recon is about the size of a Grand Cherokee. The doors remove and there’s an available power folding roof. PHOTO: STELLANTIS

The Auto Sleuth: Talking Jeep, Bentley, Sonata and more

Jeep’s future Recon mission The Stellantis brand has the plug-in hybrid Wrangler…

  • Jun 19, 2023
The electric Jeep Recon is about the size of a Grand Cherokee. The doors remove and there’s an available power folding roof. PHOTO: STELLANTIS