Auto Blog

BC is a leader in electric vehicle adoption but as I have suggested previously, one significant challenge is the fact that there are no electric pickup trucks yet offered in the marketplace. After all, many people require a pickup for work or recreation purposes, and in many rural communities where we are resource-dependent, a pickup may be a requirement.

It’s a challenge that will soon be addressed.

While there are no electric pickups from major automakers on the market today, over the next 18 months, it is anticipated that there may be several models to choose from on dealers’ lots.

It is expected that the new start-up brand Rivian will be amongst the first automaker to deliver a fully electric pickup truck to market, with the futuristic R1T expected to be available in Canada as early as this fall. The automaker promises between 250 and 400 miles of driving range.

The all-electric Hummer EV Pickup will be among the first vehicles to be built on GM’s new modular electric battery platform at the retooled Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly, renamed Factory ZERO. With up to 300 miles of range, the Hummer will be available in Canada as early as fall 2022.

The Tesla Cybertruck looks like something from a sci-fi movie but is expected to come with an estimated driving range of 500 miles. There’s still a lot we don’t know about the vehicle, but it appears the first versions may go into production as early as late this year.

The Ford Motor Company will also be introducing the highly anticipated F-150 Lightning and it’s expected to be available in 2022, with a range of up to 300 miles. The F-Series of trucks has been around since 1948 and the F-150 is labelled as Canada’s best-selling pickup truck for 11 years running, but the all-new Lightning is causing all-new levels of excitement.

The arrival of EV pickups will help continue a trend that has placed British Columbia as a leader in EV adoption and help put us on a path to meet government’s CleanBC target, requiring all new car, SUV and light-duty trucks sales to be zero-emission by 2040 – a target the federal government has also embraced on a nation-wide basis.

Of course, a factor that will contribute to those in rural communities adopting the EV pickup lifestyle is the corresponding access to charging stations. At present, there are more than 2,500 charging stations in British Columbia but for greater adoption to occur, access to chargers will need to keep pace so all communities can benefit.

Most of these electric trucks will be hugely capable and some come with high price tags, but the selection of upcoming electric pickups will soon be vast enough to suit most budgets and tastes. Of course, some electric trucks have turned out to be more highly anticipated than others, but each model promises to offer something unique and compelling.

There is a great deal of excitement about the onset of electric pickups, but the best news is that they will soon be coming to a dealership near you. I’m all charged up about it!

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected]

In 1996, the SCRAP-IT® program was established with one clear mission – to remove super polluting vehicles from our roads and highways in favour of newer, more fuel efficient and less polluting vehicles.

Last week, I was proud to join program staff and hundreds of guests at a virtual event to celebrate a pair of very important milestones, the first being 25 years of service, through which the BC New Car Dealers are pleased to have been a partner.

Also celebrated was the fact that SCRAP-IT® is now responsible for the removal of more than 50,000 higher polluting vehicles, which is a very positive environmental and financial success story for the province.

SCRAP-IT® is a not-for-profit society focused on clean transportation initiatives in both BC and Alberta.

The organization is largely recognized for its program that allows approved vehicles to be recycled in an environmentally friendly manner, and in doing so – removing all harmful pollutants such as mercury switches, fluids, and tires. However, they also administer the CleanBC Go Electric Transportation Options Program (TOP) which includes rebates for electric bikes, transit passes and car share credits.

Another important and critical function of SCRAP-IT® is bringing awareness to the issue of vehicle emissions and demonstrating the contribution that retiring older vehicles can have on our carbon footprint.

As Diane Roberts, SCRAP-IT® CEO explained, “lined up bumper-to-bumper, 50,000 vehicles would stretch along Highway 1 all the way from Langley to Merritt. It’s a great achievement. It proves that British Columbians are invested in preserving the environment and working together to create a greener future.”

The significance of the occasion was not lost on BC’s Premier John Horgan, who also acknowledged the significant accomplishment, congratulating SCRAP-IT for reaching the impressive milestone and its positive environmental impacts.

Permanently removing any fossil fuel burning vehicle from our roads and replacing it with an electric vehicle creates a significant GHG reduction which has a positive impact on climate change. Every vehicle scrapped has its components properly recycled, thus providing another layer of positive environmental stewardship.

More than 160 New Car Dealerships around the province are currently partnered with SCRAP-IT® to deliver rebates to customers who scrap their vehicles and purchase new or used electric vehicles. The retail value of the electric vehicles purchased in 2020 alone was $92.4 million dollars (BEFORE taxes). Program and qualification details can be found on the website at www.scrapit.ca.

Congratulations are in order to the great team at SCRAP-IT®. Our partnership is longstanding, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration to create a better and cleaner future.

Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected]