26 minute read
SHRINERS KEEP ON KEEPING ON (PAGE
SHRINERS KEEP ON KEEPING ON
SHRINERS ARE NEVER FAR FROM A GOOD CAUSE, EVEN AT NOVA SCOTIAS’ SCOTIA SPEEDWORLD OUTSIDE HALIFAX
Advertisement
By Sean Maddox
ON THE PHONE WITH MIKE SCHMID, HE WAS QUICK TO ESTABLISH THE FRATERNAL FOUNDATION OF THE SHRINERS.
You must be a Freemason, often just called the Masons. In its present form, the Masons have been around for 305 years; much older in many other capacities dating back to the 13th century.
Recognized by their red fez and long tassels. For many, the sight evokes memories of parades when the cars and bikes arrived. Always circling down the route and with a few characters in tow. Usually a clown or two.
As the public face of the Masons, the Shriners are well know for their ability to raise awareness, resources and money for children. Shriner hospitals and health clinics can be found in almost every corner of the world. It is said judge an organization on their results, the Shriner’s have a lot to show, the Shriners achieve results. No family can visit the Isaac Walton Killam (IWK) Hospital for women and children in Halifax without becoming aware of the Shriners generous contributions and efforts to help children smile.
For over 27 years there has been a Shriner presence at the Scotia Speedworld in Halifax, N.S.. The speedway stands at the entry to Halifax for most visitors to the province coming by car or plane. You can’t miss it. It stands as it did when it opened the gates to racers and fans in 1987. In 1997 Mike, some friends and other Shriners started the Shriner Street Stock Classic; now known as the Shriners Classic Sportsman 50. It was a natural evolution from years on the track and racing for these Shriners. The name is not the only thing that has changed over the years. New name, rules and feel. However, ask anyone around the track about the big races and it will include the Shriner Classic. Names on the prestigious trophy including Gordie Ryan, James Graves, Russell Smith Jr, and the late Terry Roma to name a few, have all won the race at least once.
There is even a dash of intrigue at the track and among Shriners. What happened to the original trophy, the one holding the glass ball? The original trophy long gone, and yes, new rules to protect the new trophy but the legends live on. Mike started listing off the Shriner race winners from decades ago up to now. All I could do was listen to his story and hear his passion. The same passion I felt the first night at the Speedworld this year when my 50/50 selling Shriner approached and asked, “What type of truck?” I am not sure he was happy with my choice. What could I say? My old 1990 Toyota Hilux twin cab took me to many corners of Africa those years I lived and worked there.
This relationship, no, this partnership, has grown over the decades. For the last 25 years, the Shriners have shown up night after night to run the 50/50. That is correct, race after race for 25 years. Their efforts last season raised over $13,000.
Scotia Speedworld General Manager Ken Cunning spoke so passionately about the Shriners. He said on race weeks there is a huge list of stuff to take care of, but the 50/50 is not on the list. “The Shriners run it all… I don’t have to think about it.”
The Shriners do age. I know, many say they are as young as ever. To reinforce the ranks the model continues to be sustainable; the Freemasons attract new members every year. A great organization to recruit new Shriners. Some after years of service and training can even be clowns in parades.
The partnership is based on many relationships built on trust and accountability. A web of relationships as found in many successful organizations and partnerships in Atlantic Canada and around the world. As Ken noted: “The relationships with the Shriners make the partnership work.” Not to mention history, laws, money, fun, and above all else, the cause. The Speedworld’s share of the 50/50 is donated to the IWK’s Remedial Seating Program.
Next time you buy a 50/50 from a Shriner volunteer, take a moment to thank them for all they do to make our communities a better place to call home.
NEWS OF THE WEIRD
BITS AND BYTES OF THE BIZARRE, STRANGE AND DOWNRIGHT WEIRD GATHERED FROM AROUND THE WEB . . . SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO. YER WELCOME.
GRIN AND BEAR IT?
DESPITE ALL THE ADVANCES IN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY FOR CARS, CAR THEFT IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM.
In 2020, over 800,000 vehicles were stolen in the United States — and millions more around the world. Earlier this year, in England, there was a bizarre auto theft incident. The police arrested a car thief after they found him hiding in a giant teddy bear.
Car thief and teddy bear | Bastian Pudill and Nathan Dumlao via Unsplash
On May 21, Joshua Dobson, an 18-year-old man from Rochdale, a town in Greater Manchester, England, did his own version of Grand Theft Auto. He stole a Mitsubishi ASX crossover SUV. However, it wasn’t the car theft that put Dobson on the radar of police.
On the same day that he stole the Mitsubishi ASX, Dobson didn’t pay for gas after fueling up the crossover SUV. After being alerted to this, the police searched for Dobson in an attempt to question him about failing to pay for fuel.
Teddy bear hiding spot for car thief | Greater Manchester Police As the Greater Manchester Police searched for him, Dobson headed inside an unknown address. Upon seeing a giant teddy bear, he cut open a hole and managed to squeeze himself into the plush doll.
However, his teddy bear escape didn’t work out as he hoped, as reported by Mirror. While the police searched through the address, they heard the teddy bear “breathing.” After discovering the car thief, they arrested him.
In a recent Facebook post, the Greater Manchester Police detailed the incident — with a dose of some “teddy bear” humor:
“A wanted car thief who tried using a teddy bear to hide from our neighborhood cops out looking for him last month has been put behind bars for nine
months.”
“Joshua Dobson (18), from the Spotland area of the town, was sought by us after stealing a car in May and not paying for fuel that same day.”
“When we went to arrest him, our officers noticed a large bear breathing in the address before finding Dobson hidden inside!”
“He’s now stuffed behind bars after being sentenced last week for theft of a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified, and making off from a petrol station without payment.”
“Hopefully, he has a bearable time inside…”
Car Thief Arrested After Found Hiding in Giant Teddy Bear (motorbiscuit.com)
Tesla has certainly made for some weird news over the years, and CEO Elon Musk has been known to have some crazy ideas. However, when we first saw posts on social media suggesting that the automaker actually opened a makeshift pool at a Tesla Supercharger station, we weren’t so sure we should believe it.
You’ve probably seen posts about Tesla making a smartphone or joining forces with Apple, along with other fabricated stories that aren’t true. When it comes to Tesla news, you have to look very carefully at the source, their potential intentions, and the message itself. It’s important to do some digging and make sure the Tesla “news” you’re reading about is actually true. With that said, Tesla really did put up a swimming pool at a Supercharger station in Germany. CEO Elon Musk has talked about adding an amusement park at Tesla’s factories, turning Supercharger stations into old-fashioned drive-in theaters, and more.
However, a makeshift pool at a Supercharger station is a bit wild, since very few people are going to come prepared with a bathing suit and be willing to get drenched before getting back on the road.
As you can see from the video above, the pool actually does exist at Tesla’s Supercharger station in Hilden, Germany, which is the largest in the country, with 40 stalls, solar panels, and restaurants. As Tesla comes up with new ideas for features and amenities for future Superchargers, it seems it may be testing out the swimming pool concept during this hot summer. Or, perhaps the company and its employees simply set out to have a little fun.
Tesla Opens Real Swimming Pool At Supercharger Station (insideevs.com)
NANANANANANA BATMAN!
Riddle me this, Batman: When a custom car shop in Indiana does not deliver a Batmobile replica to a customer, why would a California sheriff send four deputies cross-country to arrest the shop’s owner, jail him and freeze his assets?
The answer: The guy who ordered the Batmobile is apparently a friend of the sheriff.
The district attorney and board of supervisors in San Mateo County had to solve this riddle recently when it was revealed that Sheriff Carlos Bolanos had sent deputies to a shop called Fiberglass Freaks in Logansport, Indiana, which is licensed by DC Comics to build replicas of the George Barris Batmobile from the 1960s Adam West TV show. As reported by San Francisco’s KGO ABC7 and spotted by The Drive, San Mateo real-estate agent Sam Anagnostou ordered himself up one of these $210,000 crime-fighting machines. (Considering the sweet 23-window VW bus Anagnostou is using in a real estate promotional video, he has an eye for the finer things.) But he managed to forfeit his place in the line for Batmobiles. And yes, there’s a line for Batmobiles.
Mark Racop, who owns Fiberglass Freaks, said he has nine Batmobiles in production. He said Anagnostou was actually first in line, but he missed a $20,000 payment. “And he disappeared on me for over eight months, almost nine months,” Racop said. When Anagnostou didn’t get his Batmobile on time, the account goes, Bolanos sent four deputies to Indiana, more than 2,000 miles beyond his Gotham City on the Bay. They were traveling on the taxpayers’ dime — “four round-trip plane tickets, three nights of hotels, meals, rental cars, and a lot of overtime,” ABC7 said. There, they arrested Racop on California felony charges and briefly threw him in an Indiana jail.
Did Anagnostou flake? Did Racop fail to deliver? Who knows, who cares. The real question is why would the sheriff get involved, and that’s the riddle that ABC7 solved.
The station says Anagnostou first filed a lawsuit, which was dismissed, then tried to interest police in Indiana to no avail, which is no surprise as it sounds like a civil matter. That’s when Anagnostou turned his Bat-Signal in the direction of Bolanos, whom the station says was his friend. Or as the lede on the ABC7 story says, “Holy political favors, Batman!”
The sheriff obtained search warrants in San Mateo, yet the district attorney says he didn’t realize the raid would happen in Indiana and said he didn’t approve it. Now it sounds like the D.A. is going to dismiss the charges. So Anagnostou is without wheels. And Racop could be off the hook, just as Batman and Robin wriggled off so many hooks over so many pots of boiling oil.
And where does that leave Sheriff Bolanos? Out of a job. Even before all this, he had lost a June primary election to a captain in his department. He was a lame duck when the Batmobile quest happened in July.
Sheriff sends deputies on Batmobile arrest errand for a friend | Autoblog
ABOUT YOUR AVERAGE SIZED TORONTO CONDO….
Cars are complicated. A seemingly simple problem can stump even experienced mechanics, and the costs can add up quickly for the vehicle owner. Me-
chanical issues, damage from collisions and accidents, and replacing worn items like tires are all common and expected parts of owning cars. What isn’t expected, however, are rodents, which can cause big-dollar problems under the hood of your vehicle (as they once did with Autoblog’s long-term Hyundai Palisade).
The New York Times reported that a surprising number of people in the city are experiencing major car problems from rats and other rodents. The animals nest under their hoods and chew wires, leave debris and other items, and make a mess.
The number of reported rat sightings skyrocketed between 2020 and 2021. Michael H. Parsons, a Fordham University research scholar, told the New York Times that restaurants shutting down and the subsequent proliferation of outdoor dining during the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in the shift. Without dumpsters full of fresh restaurant food, rats have been forced to move to other food sources, and outdoor dining has provided streetside meals to the hungry scavengers.
Couple that seismic shift in rats’ everyday lives with the fact that many cars have organic wiring insulation that smells like food, and you start to see why there’s a problem. There is debate over whether organic materials like soy-based wiring insulation attract rodents. Still, the reality is that many people find their wires chewed in addition to evidence of rodents living in the engine bay.
Parsons believes improvements in “urban hygiene,” as he calls it, will help curb the rodent problem. Food scraps, trash, and other waste present a smorgasbord of aromas and tastes for animals of all types, so for a city the size of New York, the solution will require significant effort and investment.
While there are certainly more rats living in New York City than in smaller towns, like, say, Chillicothe, Ohio, people in other areas are just as susceptible to chewing and damage from rodents. Many vehicles from Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, and even luxury brands like Audi and BMW have soybased wiring.
Those that don’t are still at risk because wild animals of all types are attracted to warm, safe spaces, which is precisely what an engine compartment feels like after living on the street.
If you’re experiencing an infestation, you don’t have to burn down your car, despite the temptation. One of the best ways to prevent chewing is to spray the wires with a bitter apple or another deterrent. The smell and awful taste should keep teeth off your wires, but you’ll need to reapply periodically to retain effectiveness.
You could also try an under-hood rodent repeller, like this device that uses LED lights and ultrasound to deter pests.
You can also place traps or park your car in a garage away from areas where rodents roam. Rats are making homes under car hoods in increasing numbers | Autoblog.
NEW NAPA AUTOPRO LOCATION OFFERS HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE TO CLARENVILLE, NL AND SURROUNDING AREAS
By Kristen Lipscombe
FOR THE BRAND NEW NAPA AUTOPRO SHOP IN CLARENVILLE, NFLD., “CUSTOMERS ARE THE NO. 1 PRIORITY.”
“Taking care of our customers and whatever automotive repairs they may need, that’s what’s most important to us,” operations manager Brian Kinsella told Auto and Trucking Atlantic. “We’re all about customer satisfaction.”
The new NAPA franchise located at 7 Coish Place, in the heart of the closeknit Newfoundland community, opened its doors to the public just this past May.
Kinsella, service manager Greg Butt and the rest of the new NAPA team are in the midst of renovating and upgrading a former garage into a state-of-the-art AUTOPRO shop in order to provide “the best auto repair service in Newfoundland and Labrador,” according to NAPA’s website.
“Our auto repair shop in Clarenville provides you with a complete offering of maintenance and repair services, such as oil change, wheel alignment and brake
maintenance.” Joining the NAPA family of garages was an easy decision, Kinsella said. The strong and reliable NAPA reputation speaks for itself.
“We decided to make it a NAPA location because of brand recognition,” he said. “NAPA has been in the game for so long. They’ve got a huge market presence.” Kinsella added that NAPA also has “phenomenal warranties on their parts, nationwide parts, and labour warranty, so we signed up basically because of all the different programs they have to offer.”
Currently, there are three service technicians working at NAPA AUTOPRO Clarenville, and so far, business is great, Kinsella said.
Both Kinsella and Butt, both Newfoundland natives themselves, have been in the automotive business for about 20 years each, for four decades of combined experience.
“With his customer service skills and my knowledge of the business, we make a great team,” Kinsella said.
And both are proud to serve the Clarenville community and surrounding areas.
Just as the Clarenville AUTOPRO website says, “our passionate approach to building lasting relationships with our customers and our drive to continually upgrade our technical knowledge show that we are with you for the long haul.”
QC ZERO EMISSION SALES MANDATE
GLOBAL AUTOMAKERS RESPONSE TO ANNOUNCED CHANGES TO QUEBEC’S ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE SALES MANDATE
THE QUEBEC GOVERNMENT RECENTLY CLOSED ITS CONSULTATION ON CHANGES TO QUEBEC’S ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE SALES STANDARD (ZEV STANDARD): “THE ESSENCE OF THESE PROPOSED CHANGES TO QUEBEC’S MANDATED ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE TARGETS IS TO DRASTICALLY INCREASE THE STRINGENCY OF THE REGULATION LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER THEIR PREVIOUS CONSULTATION,” SAID DAVID ADAMS, PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE GAC.
“Our industry requires some consistency regarding the targets regulators require manufacturers to meet that are first, grounded in science and secondly, supported by ongoing commitments to both consumer incentives and charging infrastructure build-out,” added Adams
“All of our members are fully supportive of the drive to decarbonize their fleets, however governments in Quebec and across Canada need to be aware of the unintended consequences for consumers of setting targets that are both too aggressive and too costly for manufacturers to comply with.
These consequences can include increased vehicle prices and decreased model selection, both of which can result in older vehicles staying on the road longer – which does nothing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
“Moreover, the Quebec government cannot simply pretend that record high inflation and Bank of Canada interest rates that will likely be at 3.25% by the end of the year have no impact on consumers’ ability to afford to transition to electric vehicles – which remain more expensive.
Meanwhile, the government is cutting its incentive amount available to assist consumers. This is not a recipe for success,” noted Adams. The GAC and its member companies remain committed to working with the Québec government to decarbonize road-transportation and continue to provide our input into the regulatory development process.
ELECTRIC AVENUE
By Jérémie Bernardin
EV CLINICS ARE JUST THE LATEST INNOVATION FROM ATLANTIC EV PIONEERS. CREATING A BUZZ WITH THE LOCAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE ENTHUSIASTS FOR A GOOD CAUSE.
Peeking under the hood and under the battery case of an electric vehicle is quite a unique opportunity that many electric vehicle (EV) enthusiasts in Halifax jumped at this past June. All EV Halifax held an in-depth Tesla Model 3 clinic open to the public with half of the money raised going to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and half to the Electric Vehicle Association of Atlantic Canada.
With multiple Teslas up on hoists with their protective covers taken off, participants had the chance to see firsthand how unique these vehicles are. A cutaway motor was on display along with individual battery cells (of which 4416 cells arranged in 96 groups of 46 make up one battery pack), battery cooling components, autonomous driving components, heat pump, and the charging equipment “brains” that control the battery.
Participants had the chance to ask master technician and EV expert David Giles any questions they had. With no shortage of those, Giles covered a tremendous amount of ground including Vehicle 2 Grid, their in-house EV-specific rustproofing, certified battery health reports, charging systems, battery innovations, service regimen on components, and more. This clinic would be considered one of the most in-depth and advanced Tesla clinics open to the public in North America.
Best of all, Dave announced his newest project, a completely new and unique cut-away Tesla IDEV (Interactive Demonstration Electric Vehicle) that will be on display at their soon-to-open All EV location in Moncton.
This is but one example of how Steele Auto Group and All EV are leaning in to accelerate electric vehicle awareness, interest, and adoption in Atlantic Canada. To join upcoming EV educational sessions visit www.allev.ca/ev-education.
Jérémie Bernardin is the Business Development Manager with All EV by Steele
HEADING
THE ATLANTIC ROAD REPORT
BITS AND PIECES OF NEWS COLLECTED FROM AROUND THE ATLANTIC
NEWFOUNDLAND
Forest Access Roads in the Paradise Lake and Bay d’Espoir Highway Areas Being Opened
The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture has made arrangements to open a number of forest access roads in the area of Paradise Lake and Bay d’Espoir Highway (Route 360), so that residents may access their cabins and campers.
The Bay d’Espoir Highway (Route 360) continues to remain open to traffic. However, not all forest access roads or cabins are accessible.
If you are planning to use forest access roads in the vicinity of these fires, please examine the below map to determine whether your cabin or camper is accessible. The map shows closed forest access roads in yellow. The two fires shown in white crosshatch are active forest fire areas and are not accessible. The ‘STOP’ symbols represent the points at which the public may not go any further as they are considered unsafe.
If residents decide to use the newly opened forest access roads, they are asked to proceed cautiously and safely and to be aware that crews continue to address the forest fires in the broader region.
NOVA SCOTIA
Mira Gut Bridge Officially Opens
Residents and visitors in the Mira River area no longer have to take a 20-kilometre detour thanks to the completion of the Mira Gut Bridge, a major link in Cape Breton’s road network, which officially opened today, August 5.
“The Mira River area, home to one of Cape Breton Island’s busiest beaches and a scenic ocean drive, now has a safer, uninterrupted transportation link,” said Brian Comer, Minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health and MLA for Cape Breton East, on behalf of Kim Masland, Minister of Public Works. “The addition of the sidewalk along the bridge will encourage active transportation, allowing cyclists, walkers, runners and others to safely cross the Mira River.”
The new Mira Gut Bridge is an 80-metre truss bridge with a 6.5-metre vertical clearance to accommodate boats. It cost $6.525 million.
The reopening of the Mira Gut Bridge represents the reconnection of our community and the Marconi Trail. The bridge, while remarkable in its design, is truly beautiful because it also represents the efforts of a community advocating and working together to get to this day. There is a groundswell of joy and gratitude that goes along with every ride over this bridge many of us feel today and will for many to come.Amanda McDougall, Mayor, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Quick Facts: the original Mira Gut Bridge was a
swing bridge which opened to accommodate large boats, disrupting road traffic in November 2017, the Mira Gut Bridge was closed because the swing bridge no longer worked properly about 1,000 vehicles crossed the bridge daily
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Driver’s license process made easier for Ukrainians
The Province of Prince Edward Island is simplifying the driver’s license exchange process for eligible individuals from Ukraine.
Beginning Monday, August 15, individuals who are exchanging full stage Ukrainian Category B (including BE) passenger vehicle licenses for PEI’s Class 5 license will be able to do so without a written exam or road testing. Commercial class licenses or motorcycle licenses are not eligible for exchange.
Applicants must provide a valid driver’s license from the reciprocal country and/or a translated copy in French or English of their driver’s license, as well as two documents that show their current address in Prince Edward Island.
“As a province, we are doing what we can to create a welcoming environment for Ukrainians who are fleeing the Russian invasion of their country.
It is important that we make the transition for Ukrainian newcomers as smooth as possible as they settle into their new home.” - Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Cory Deagle.
This initiative was made possible by the due diligence processes completed by member jurisdictions of the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, consisting of in-depth analysis of Ukraine’s driver education requirements, testing standards, verification of driver license documents which included reviewing work recently completed between Ukraine and the United Kingdom for this purpose.
Individuals from the Ukraine who have recently started the drivers licensing and testing process can contact the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s Highway Safety Division at 902-368-5223 to discuss the new exchange options.
All new residents and visitors to PEI can drive on their existing license for up to four months before they require a PEI license. Once the exchange process has started the four-month time limit is extended until the process is completed.
Depending on which country they are from, new Island residents may be able to simply exchange their foreign license for a driving license in Canada without the need to take road tests or knowledge tests.
Come join our team!
Auto & Trucking Atlantic is seeking a an energetic ad sales professional with prior sales, or print or digital experience. You will have a chance to grow with our expanding publishing company.
The position involves working with current clients as well as sourcing and building new sales leads.
We offer an independent, flexible work environment with lots of opportunity for growth and a competitive commission structure. We’ll even provide the business cards.
Visit our website at: autoatlantic. com and forward your resume to rob@autoatlantic.com.
608 - 56 Jacob Lane Bedford, NS B3M 0H5
Tel: 1.902.452.0345 Email: rob@autoatlantic.com
MYTHBUSTING: ON EVS AS LUXURY VEHICLES AND OTHER FLIGHTS OF
FANCY AN INSURANCE PROFESSIONAL ASKS US TO STAND UP AND RECONSIDER THE MANY REASONS WHY WE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING AN EV FOR OUR NEXT AUTOMOBILE PURCHASE.
By Carter Hammett
WITH THE RAPID RISE OF GASOLINE COSTS DURING THE PAST YEAR, A PARALLEL INCREASED INTEREST IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES (EVS) HAS ALSO GOT PEOPLE LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL GAS GUZZLERS.
EVs account for 8.2 per cent of all new Canadian vehicle registrations according to S&P Global. And yet, and yet. While EV interest continues to trend upwards, many consumers still have an outdated understanding of the current EV market says Tanisha Kishan, RATESDOTCA expert and chartered insurance professional. “The EV industry is moving faster than consumer education is.”
As rising gas prices squeeze drivers’ budgets, it’s natural that people would become interested in vehicles that provide more affordable fuel options like BEVs and PHEVs says Kishan. And, contrary to popular belief, not all EVs are Teslas.
“Tesla may have carved the initial path for EVs in Canada, but many other carmakers are getting into the game. Ford, Kia, Hyundai, Chevrolet, Audi and Nissan are just a few of the carmakers now putting out EVs.
“The Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Bolt, Hyundai Ioniq, Toyota Prius Prime, Honda Clarity and Mistubishi Outlander are just a few examples of BEVs and PHEVs that are available on the market now,” says Kishan.
That’s just one of several myths concerning EV, she says. There’s many more, including:
Rebates are available for all EV purchases: The federal government does offer rebates for EV purchases, but there are limitations. The vehicles must be new (not previously owned) and must have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $55,000 or less for passenger vehicles and $60,000 or less for station wagons, pickup trucks, SUVs, minivans, vans or special purpose vehicles.
“EV rebates will vary by province, vehicle and for insurance, by insurer. There isn’t a unified EV rebate policy that will apply to all BEVs and PHEVs,” Kishan says.
You can find more information on federal ZEV eligibility by make and model here: https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/innovative-technologies/zeroemission-vehicles/light-duty-zero-emission-vehicles/eligible-vehicles
And you can find specific info on provincial incentives here: https://www.caa. ca/sustainability/electric-vehicles/government-incentives/
EVs are luxury vehicles: Until relatively recently, the EVs available on the market were luxury vehicles and were priced accordingly, making them prohibitively expensive to many. However auto manufacturers are now releasing more affordable EV models..
“The Chevrolet Bolt (BEV) is available for approximately $38K, the Hyundai Ioniq (BEV) for approximately $44K, Toyota Prius (PHEV) for approximately $29K and the Mitsubishi Outlander (PHEV) for approximately $32K are all examples of BEVs and PHEVs that are available for significantly less than a Tesla Model 3 that comes in at approximately $61K.“
EV auto insurance is more expensive than for gas-powered vehicles: A major factor in calculating auto insurance premiums is the price of replacing the vehicle and vehicle parts.
Historically, EVs have had more expensive parts and sometimes only specialized mechanics can work on them, which drives up the cost of insurance.
As the price of EV parts go down and the number of mechanics trained to work on EVs increases, insurance premiums could decline. Insurance for some EVs are already comparable to gas-powered cars of equivalent value. According to data from RATESDOTCA’s online quoter, in Toronto the average insurance premium for a Nissan Leaf is $2,561, compared to the Chevrolet Cruz at $2,598 and the Honda Civic at $2,722.*
EVs can only travel short distances: When EVs were initially introduced, the short drive times between charges were a major deterrent for consumers worried about travelling long distances. Now many EVs can drive up to 640km on a single charge.
“As EVs and EV infrastructure become more available, we will likely see an increase in EV use across the country. Contrary to popular belief, EV insurance rates are comparable to those of gas-powered vehicles. It’s in a driver’s best interests to shop around for EV insurance if they purchase a ZEV.”
Drivers can compare quotes for EV insurance in different provinces and postal codes using our online insurance quoter: https://rates.ca/insurance-quotes/ auto?cta=RgkVWM
You can check out some EV insurance premium prices and estimated annual fuel costs here: https://rates.ca/resources/howmuch-car-insurance-electric-vehicle-ontario-and-alberta *Prices based on a 30-year-old female driver with 10 years of driving experience and a claims-free and conviction-free insurance history.
