Connected and autonomous vehicle technology is already being deployed in Canada, though widespread public-road adoption remains uneven, according to Barrie Kirk, executive director of the Canadian Automated Vehicles Centre of Excellence. Sectors such as mining, logistics, agriculture and airport operations are advancing more quickly because they operate in controlled environments with fewer safety complications. Ontario continues to lead in pilot projects for automated passenger and commercial vehicles, while other provinces remain cautious as regulations evolve. “The CAV ecosystem has multiple sectors each with their own characteristics, dynamics and timing,” said Kirk.
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ELECTRIC SLIDE: B.C. EASES ZEV MANDATE, KEEPS TARGETS
British Columbia is easing its zero-emission vehicle mandate while maintaining broader electrification goals, aligning provincial policy with recent federal regulatory changes. Amendments to the province’s Zero-Emission Vehicles Act remove the fixed requirement for 100% ZEV sales by 2035 and introduce greater flexibility in interim targets. Industry groups welcomed the move, citing affordability and infrastructure concerns as EV adoption slows. Similar adjustments are also underway in Quebec. “Today’s announcement is a positive step toward a more balanced and realistic approach to vehicle electrification in British Columbia,” the board of the New Car Dealers Association of British Columbia said in a statement.
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SH> U.S. ADS OVERSIGHT: CONSUMER REPORTS CALLS FOR CLEAR RULES
Consumer Reports is urging U.S. regulators to adopt stricter and more measurable safety standards for automated driving systems under a proposed United Nations framework. In comments filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, William Wallace, director of safety advocacy for Consumer Reports, argued automated systems should be evaluated as drivers rather than vehicle features. The submission also called for clearer crash reporting requirements, independent safety validation and stronger oversight when systems operate outside intended conditions. “Safety cases should not rely solely on manufacturer assertions,” Wallace wrote in the filing.
