UP ON EV CHARGING CORRIDOR

A 1,400-KM CORRIDOR for electric vehicle charging stations is set to be built from Michigan and stretch into Quebec.

The joint binational alternative fuel corridor agreement was announced by federal Minister of Transport

Omar Alghabra and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. It will see EV charging stations every 80 kilometres along highways from Kalamazoo, Michigan to Quebec City.

Each station along the corridor — covering the I-94 through the DetroitWindsor border tunnel, Highway 401 across southern Ontario, Highway 20 through Montreal and Highway 40 through to Quebec City — will be required to have at least one direct current (DC) fast charger along with combined charging system (CCS) ports.

There will be 61 stations between Detroit and Toronto and 154 between Toronto and Quebec City.

Dealers Struggling With Empty Lots

DESPITE SUPPLY CHAIN issue easing, new vehicle dealers are still far off from their typical levels, according to

DesRosiers Automotive Consultants. And how severe the problem is depends on where you are in the country.

Shortages of new vehicles stemming from semiconductor issues continue to plague dealers — to the tune of inventory levels still being at 42 per cent of the normal in the first quarter of this year. That, however, is up from less than 20 per cent of normal levels from last year.

DesRosiers asked Canadian Automotive Dealers Association members about their situation. It found the level of recovery hasn’t been spread evenly.

On one end, Ontario is at 67 per cent of normal levels. On the other, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are at 30 per cent.

The consultancy noted that “the recovery in new vehicle supply remains uneven and unequal across the automotive market at the model, brand, and regional level.”

Vcc Is Ase Certified

VANCOUVER COMMUNITY College’s Automotive Service Technician program has been certified by the ASE Education Foundation.

It is now an internationally accredited training program and is the first and only Canadian institution and school outside the United States to receive ASE accreditation.

“The Automotive Service department worked closely with the ASE to complete stringent program evaluations,” Michael Coard, department head of the school’s Automotive Service, said in a statement. “I’m pleased to see our commitment to quality training and education has resulted in this important achievement. The accreditation means better automotive technicians will join the workforce, which benefits vehicle owners.”

Students enrolling in VCC’s program will see strict industry standards but then earn a nationally and internationally recognized trade certificate.

“This is great news for automotive-minded young people and their parents,” said Michael Coley, president of the ASE Education Foundation. “Because this program increases cooperation between local education and industry leaders, it gives added assurance that VCC’s graduates will be employable entry-level technicians.”