Toronto, Ontario — January 24, 2020 —
Canadian Tire’s contribution
Canadian Tire will be adding nearly 300 EV chargers at retail locations across the country by the end of 2020.
The Canadian retailer is working alongside FLO, Volkswagen Canada subsidiary Electrify Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Tesla to install a total of 240 fast chargers and 55 Level 2 chargers at 90 Canadian Tire locations across Canada.
While none of the companies involved have revealed the cost of the network, the federal government has announced it will be spending $2.7 million to build 54 of those EV chargers across central and western Canada in an effort to increase EV sales.
Once completed, Canadian Tire’s network will be one of the largest in the country.
Subaru sets a strategy
Subaru has set a target to sell only EVs worldwide by the first half of the 2030s, according to Reuters.
The automaker plans to develop a so-called “strong hybrid” vehicle using Toyota technology and intends to debut the vehicle later in the decade.
By 2030, at least 40 percent of Subaru’s cars sold worldwide will comprise battery electric vehicles or hybrids, according to the automaker.
America’s autonomous action
On Jan. 8, the United States unveiled an updated non-binding federal policy for autonomous vehicles, which continues to take a hands-off approach to the regulation of such vehicles in the U.S.
The policy, titled Ensuring American Leadership in Automated Vehicle Technologies 4.0, establishes federal principles for the development and integration of automated vehicles with a focus on three broad areas: prioritizing and security, promoting innovation and ensuring a consistent regulatory approach. It also outlines ongoing efforts to support autonomous vehicle technology growth and leadership as well as prospects for collaboration, such as federal investment in the sector and resources for the public, developers, and researchers.
According to the updated policy document, “the U.S. Government will provide policies, guidance, and best practices; conduct appropriate research and pilot programs; and offer necessary assistance to help plan for and invest in a dynamic and flexible future for all Americans.” The document emphasizes that the government will enforce existing laws to ensure companies refrain from making misleading claims about the capabilities or limitations of autonomous vehicle technology.
AV 4.0 reaffirms that the U.S. government will promote regulatory consistency among stakeholders, and it builds on the prior policies by describing how specific departments and agencies contribute to and play a part in implementing these guidelines.
According to industry analysts, Canadian regulators could soon take a similar approach.
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