technology
2 min
Elon Musk gives a timeline for SpaceX’s first Starship catch attempt
Elon Musk has revealed that SpaceX is targeting “a few months” for its first attempt to catch the Starship upper stage using the massive arms of its launch…
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Technology
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EV technology explained for Canadian drivers — battery chemistry and degradation in cold climates, solid-state battery timelines, NACS and CCS charging standards, heat pumps vs. resistive heating in winter, over-the-air software updates, and the home-charging hardware ecosystem. We translate engineering claims into what they mean for range, charging speed, and cost of ownership in Canadian conditions.
Technology — common questions
How much range do EVs lose in Canadian winters?
Cold weather reduces EV range — typically by roughly 20–30% in severe Canadian winter conditions depending on model, cabin heating method, and driving speed, according to winter testing and owner-reported data our technology section covers. Heat-pump-equipped vehicles lose less range than resistive-heating models, and preheating while plugged in preserves battery performance.
What is NACS and do Canadian EVs use it?
NACS (North American Charging Standard) is Tesla’s charging connector, adopted as SAE J3400 and now the port of choice on most new EVs sold in North America, including in Canada. Models from Tesla, Ford, GM, Rivian, Hyundai, Kia, and others increasingly ship NACS-native, letting them use Tesla Superchargers without adapters. Our technology section tracks which Canadian-market models carry native NACS ports.
How long do EV batteries last in Canada?
Most automakers warranty EV batteries for 8 years or 160,000 km against manufacturing defects, with capacity guarantees typically at 70% over the warranty term. Real-world degradation data our technology section covers shows modern packs losing capacity gradually — often 1–2% per year — with cold-climate storage and DC fast-charging habits influencing longevity.
technology
2 min
California Solar Power Bills Move Forward to Support Balcony Solar, Community Solar, and VPPs
California’s legislative push to revive its solar leadership could offer valuable lessons for Canadian provinces looking to expand renewable energy…
technology
3 min
Volvo's EX60 and EX90 Will Warn Canadian Drivers About Moose on the Road Ahead
Volvo is rolling out connected-safety hazard alerts — including Large Animal Alert for moose and other wildlife — to EX60 and EX90 electric SUVs in Canada via software update, alongside Spatial Audio for CarPlay.
technology
5 min
ENVO's Modular UPT Platform Aims to Fill the Gap Between E-Bikes and Small EVs
Burnaby-based ENVO Drive Systems is taking orders for its Utility Personal Transporter (UPT), a modular EV platform that can be configured into 18 vehicle types from golf carts to snow plows, starting at US$8,000.
technology
3 min
SpaceX Prepares for Starship Catch Attempt and Historic First Reflight
SpaceX is gearing up for a groundbreaking milestone in its Starship program: the first attempt to catch the massive rocket using its launch tower, a…
technology
4 min
Volvo's EX30 Power-Bank Update Skips Canada — What EX30 Owners Here Actually Get
Volvo's new over-the-air update turns the EX30 into a 3 kW mobile power bank in Europe, Asia and Latin America — but V2L is explicitly unavailable in Canada, the US, Mexico, Korea, Taiwan and Japan. Here is what the update does include for Canadian drivers.
technology
4 min
Nano One and Standard Lithium Qualify US Lithium for Canadian-Made LFP Batteries
Burnaby-based Nano One produced LFP cathode material from Standard Lithium's Arkansas lithium carbonate, hitting 155 mAh/g in test cells — a supply-chain play that could accelerate North American battery material qualification by up to a year.
technology
4 min
Audi A6 E-Tron Sets Guinness World Record: 1,337 km on a Single Charge — 72% Over Official Range
Polish rally champion Miko Marczyk drove an Audi A6 Sportback E-Tron 1,337 km (831 miles) on one charge, averaging 7.09 kWh/100 km — less than half the official consumption. The production EV record was set on public roads in Poland.
technology
5 min
Geely Unveils 2.25 MW Smart Charge System Challenging BYD's Flash Charging Dominance
Geely's new AI-driven charging technology delivers 2,250 kW peak power, 12C battery charging from 10%-70% in 4.5 minutes, and plans for 50,000+ units by 2027, positioning to compete with BYD's expanding Flash Charging network in Canada.
technology
2 min
Geely prepares revolutionary 500 Wh/kg solid-state EV battery that could beat diesel
Geely is making waves in the electric vehicle (EV) industry with its announcement of a next-generation solid-state battery that could redefine energy…
technology
4 min
Canada's NorthForge Builds the Dispatch: An Electric Military Motorcycle With 1-Minute Battery Swaps
Canadian manufacturer NorthForge has built the Dispatch, a fully electric tactical motorcycle with three swappable SysNergie battery packs, about 200 km of range and a 140 kg weight. Here's what the three-year CAF-informed design can do.
technology
4 min
Hydrogen Fuel Cell EVs in Canada: Are They Still Relevant in 2026?
Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in Canada — current models, refuelling infrastructure, and whether hydrogen cars still compete with battery EVs in 2026.
technology
4 min
NHTSA Opens Investigation Into comma.ai After 5 Crashes, 3 Deaths
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating 30,000 vehicles equipped with comma.ai's openpilot system after five crashes where vehicles struck stopped traffic — two fatal, three deaths total, 11 injured.
technology
2 min
Electric Trucks In Play As New, Trump-Endorsed Lithium-Ion Battery Factory Takes Shape
A new lithium-ion battery factory backed by a $100 million USD grant from the U.S. Department of Energy is set to bolster North America’s electric vehicle…
technology
6 min
CATL 1000km Battery Cell and the Canadian Winter Test That Matters
CATL's 1000km battery cell technology and the Canadian winter testing that proves whether extreme-range EV batteries can survive real cold-weather ownership in Canada.
technology
6 min
Mahle Range Extender for Electric Trucks Explained
Mahle's range extender for electric trucks adds ICE generator capability to EV powertrains — how it works, why it matters for fleets, and whether range extenders have a future in Canada.
technology
5 min
Quebec's dcbel Is Powering the Biggest V2X Experiments in North America — From Homes That Can't Buy It Yet
Montreal-based dcbel's Ara home energy station anchors utility V2X pilots in Massachusetts and California, paying drivers up to US$3,200 a year to feed stored power back to the grid. The technology is Canadian; the programs, so far, are not.
technology
3 min
After Solar Roof, Tesla's Energy Story in Canada Runs Through Panels and Powerwalls
Tesla has discontinued its Solar Roof tiles, calling them not economically viable. In Canada, the product never meaningfully arrived — but the solar-plus-storage bundle it pointed at is scaling anyway.
technology
3 min
Tesla Robotaxi Expands Its Dallas Service Area — Another Increment Canada Is Watching From the Sidelines
Tesla's official Robotaxi account announced a significantly expanded Dallas geofence on Aug. 29, the latest in a string of upgrades since public launch in January. Canada remains unserved, though job postings point north.
technology
4 min
How Long Do EV Batteries Last in Canada? What Real-World Data Shows
EV battery degradation in Canadian climates: how much range you lose per year, the warranty that protects you, and the habits that stretch battery life.
technology
4 min
France Reverses Tesla FSD Block: Two Cars Now Testing on Public Roads After Musk Talks
French Minister of Transport Philippe Tarabot confirmed two Teslas equipped with FSD are now on public roads in France, reversing a July safety objection after direct talks with Elon Musk and technical work with Tesla staff.
technology
4 min
Tesla's Automatic Collision Evasion Can Turn On FSD to Avoid a Crash
Tesla's 2026.27.5 software update with FSD v14.3.9 adds Automatic Collision Evasion — a feature that activates Full Self-Driving during manual driving if the driver is not attentive enough to react to an imminent collision.
technology
4 min
NHTSA Opens Audit Into Tesla Cybercab Certification — Day After Austin Robotaxi Launch
NHTSA audit query AQ26002 will examine how Tesla certified the steering-wheel-free Cybercab under U.S. safety standards, one day after paying riders launched in Austin. Here is what the filing actually says.
technology
4 min
Tesla Cybercab Has No Onboard AC Charger — What That Means for Home Charging in Canada
Out of Spec's Kyle Conner confirmed at the Austin launch that the Cybercab has no onboard charger and cannot accept AC charging — DC fast charging and wireless inductive pads only. A consumer version under $30,000 could still charge at home, but not through a conventional Level 2 station.
technology
2 min
Tesla says FSD v15 is a ‘step-change,' Optimus sells in 2027
Tesla has shared a bold new timeline for its most ambitious projects, including Full Self-Driving (FSD), its upcoming Cybercab robotaxi, and the Optimus…
technology
3 min
Tesla discontinues its Solar Roof tiles, not economically viable
Tesla has quietly discontinued its Solar Roof tiles, a product once touted as a seamless and aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional solar…
technology
5 min
Tesla Cybercab Launch Event Set for September 3 in Austin: What We Know
Tesla is sending invitations for a September 3 Cybercab launch event in Austin, Texas — the purpose-built robotaxi with no steering wheel or pedals. Here is what is confirmed, and what it means for Canada.
technology
6 min
Tesla Robotaxi Nevada Upgrade 2026: Full Details
Tesla robotaxi gets a massive hardware and software upgrade in Nevada in 2026 — what changed, how it affects Canadian autonomous vehicle timelines, and whether robotaxi service is coming to Canadian cities soon.
technology
4 min
Tesla Robotaxi Now Runs 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Six U.S. Cities — Canada Still Waiting
Tesla has officially extended Robotaxi operating hours to 6 a.m.–10 p.m., seven days a week, across six U.S. metro areas, with a larger unsupervised fleet and smarter routing. The service has topped 380,000 unsupervised miles — none of them in Canada.
technology
4 min
Tesla's Grok Now Handles 116 Voice Commands Hands-Free — What Canadian Owners Can Say
Tesla's 2026 Summer Update lets the Grok assistant directly control vehicle functions, and owner testing now counts 116 of 170 known voice commands working hands-free via 'Hey Grok' — from Bioweapon Defense Mode to Sentry Mode. Here's the Canadian owner's guide.
technology
4 min
Tesla FSD Pothole Avoidance Is 'Coming Soon' — 7 Years After Musk First Promised It
Elon Musk says pothole avoidance is 'coming soon' for Full Self-Driving — seven years after he first said it would 'definitely' improve Autopilot. The feature officially joined Tesla's roadmap in April via FSD v14.3 release notes; here's what's changed since.
technology
4 min
Tesla Publishes FSD Safety Evidence Ahead of October 6 EU Vote — 4.1x Fewer Crashes Claimed
Tesla has open-sourced the Article 39 FSD Supervised safety dashboard it gave European regulators ahead of an October 6 EU-wide approval vote. The data covers 102 million km across five countries — but France is opposed and Canada still has no FSD timeline.
technology
4 min
FSD V14 Lite Is Finally Close for HW3 Model S and Model X Owners in Canada
Tesla's VP of AI Software Ashok Elluswamy says FSD V14 Lite for Hardware 3 Model S and Model X 'was supposed to go out last week' — the strongest signal yet that the software delayed for Tesla's earliest adopters is imminent. What HW3 S/X owners in Canada get, and why the wait was so long.
technology
4 min
Cybertruck Powershare Finally Works With Powerwall 3 — What It Means for Canadian Homes
Tesla has started shipping the Cybertruck–Powerwall 3 Powershare integration after months of delays: 11.5 kW of continuous backup power and 3+ days of whole-home runtime, with Powerwall 2 support promised later this year. Here is what the rollout means for Canadian owners.
technology
4 min
Samsung Starts Trial Production of Tesla's Next-Gen AI5 Chip in Texas
Samsung has begun trial wafer production of Tesla's AI5 chip at its Taylor, Texas foundry using a 2-nanometer process, with full-scale supply targeted for 2027 — but the chip will first power Optimus and data centres, not vehicles.
technology
4 min
BYD's Blade Battery Charges 20-to-97% in 12 Minutes After 24 Hours at -30°C
BYD cold-soaked a Denza Z9GT at -30°C for 24 hours, then flash-charged its second-generation Blade Battery from 20% to 97% in 12 minutes on a 1,500 kW charger. The test matters for Canada, where winter charging speed is the biggest EV pain point — and BYD is hiring in Canada to bring Flash charging here.
technology
5 min
Is Tesla FSD Worth It in Canada in 2026? The $19,000 Question
Tesla's Full Self-Driving costs $19,000 CAD in Canada and still requires full driver supervision. Here is what FSD actually does today, what the Robotaxi program signals, and who should buy it.
technology
4 min
Tesla Optimus Gen 3 Design Appears in Android App
Design assets for Tesla Optimus Gen 3 discovered in the Android app show enclosed joints, a unified torso and redesigned legs, suggesting the next-generation humanoid robot is close to unveiling.
technology
4 min
Tesla FSD v14.2 Lite Begins Rolling Out to HW3 Model S and Model X in Canada
Tesla has started pushing FSD v14.2 Lite to older Hardware 3 Model S and Model X vehicles — months after the software reached Model 3 and Model Y. Early-access owners report software version 2026.27.10.
technology
3 min
Mahle Electric Truck Range Extender: How It Works and When Canadian Fleets Get It
Mahle, a global automotive supplier, has unveiled a new range extender system designed to address the range limitations of battery-electric heavy trucks.…
technology
5 min
Tesla's California Virtual Power Plant Hit 507 MW From 68,887 Homes — Why That Matters for Canadian Grids
Tesla's California virtual power plant delivered 507 MW to the grid during a September heatwave from 68,887 participating Powerwall homes — output comparable to a conventional power plant. The network has grown from 7,000 homes in 2023 to more than 105,000, with Tesla paying nearly US$10 million to participants in 2024.
technology
6 min
EV Battery Degradation in Canada: What Is Normal and How to Slow It
EV battery degradation in Canadian winters and daily use — what is normal, what voids warranties, and how to preserve battery health through heat, cold, and charging habits.
technology
4 min
Tesla Optimus Hits Reliability and Dexterity Hurdles Despite Production Surge
Tesla is producing hundreds of Optimus humanoid robots per week but faces ongoing hand dexterity challenges and supplier quality issues, per reports from The Information.
technology
4 min
Lucid Air UX 3.0 Rolls Out: Major Interface Overhaul, But Older Cars Need US$950 Hardware Upgrade
Lucid's biggest infotainment update yet brings the Air in line with the Gravity SUV, but 2022–2024 model year owners must pay US$950 for a processor upgrade to get it. Canadian pricing not yet announced.
technology
5 min
Solar Panels and Home Batteries in Canada 2026: The Canadian Angle on Energy Independence
A practical Canadian buyer's guide to solar panels and home batteries — net metering rules by province, battery economics, and whether a system pays off in Ottawa, Toronto, or Vancouver.
technology
4 min
Germany Pushes Tesla FSD EU Vote to December; Croatia Becomes 8th Country to Approve
Germany's Transport Ministry confirms EU-wide FSD approval vote delayed to December amid speed-offset concerns. Meanwhile, Croatia joins seven other European countries in recognizing Dutch RDW provisional approval for FSD Supervised.
technology
4 min
Tesla Robotaxi App Adds 'Stop Now' Command, X Money Payments
Code in Tesla's Robotaxi app version 26.8.2 reveals new rider safety features including a 'Stop Now' command, Cybercab door assistance, and X Money as a native payment option.
technology
7 min
EV Battery Mining: The Environmental Impact Nobody Markets
Lithium, nickel, and cobalt mining for EV batteries — the real environmental costs, the dirtiest links in the chain, and how the industry is cleaning them up.
technology
5 min
CAA EV Circuit 2026 Shows EVs Use 40% Less Energy Than Gas Vehicles
Real-world test of 22 EVs finds average energy use of 2L gasoline equivalent per 100km, with charging adding 58-178 km in 15 minutes. Efficiency gains highlight winter performance improvements.
technology
5 min
How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV in Canada? A Province-by-Province Breakdown
Charging an EV in Canada costs a fraction of gasoline — but the savings depend on where you live. Real numbers for home and public charging across every province.
technology
5 min
Best EV Dash Cam for Canadian Drivers 2026
The best dash cams for EVs in Canada in 2026 — front, rear, cabin cams, parking mode, and what matters for electric vehicle owners.
technology
5 min
Is the Tesla Cybercab Available in Canada? Austin Launch, Timeline, and What It Costs to Ride
Tesla's Cybercab officially joined the Austin Robotaxi fleet on September 4, 2026 — public rides begin at 5 p.m. CT. The two-seater has a sub-0.20 drag coefficient, no steering wheel or pedals, and uses inductive charging.
technology
5 min
Gas, Hybrid, or EV: Which Vehicle Costs Less in Canada Over 5 Years?
A new Rates.ca analysis of gas, hybrid, and EV ownership costs across four segments shows gasoline models still winning upfront, while EVs close the gap by year five — except in SUVs, where gas remains dominant.
technology
4 min
Tesla Powerwall in Canada 2026: Is It Worth It for Ontario and Quebec Homes?
Tesla Powerwall in Canada — cost, installation, net metering value, and whether a home battery makes financial sense in Ontario and Quebec electricity markets.
technology
5 min
EV Battery Warranty in Canada: What's Actually Covered
EV battery warranty coverage in Canada in 2026 — what automakers promise, what voids coverage, and how to protect your battery investment over the long term.
technology
4 min
Mercedes CLA Electric Beat Its EPA Range by 73 Miles — Should Canadian Buyers Trust the Bigger Number?
Edmunds' real-world test drove the Mercedes-Benz CLA 350 4Matic 385 miles on a charge versus its 312-mile EPA rating — and the CLA 250+ went 434. Why Mercedes undersells range and what that means for Canadian winter driving.
technology
4 min
Tesla Expands Vehicle-to-Load Capability to Model 3 and Additional Model Y Trims
Tesla adds Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality to Model 3 vehicles in select markets and expands availability to more Model Y trims, allowing owners to power devices from their vehicle's battery.
technology
4 min
Toyota's New Solid-State Battery Partner Gives the Technology Its Best Shot at Mass Production
Toyota has chosen a battery materials partner for its solid-state program, and the choice signals that the automaker believes solid-state is closer to a production reality than its critics have assumed.
technology
4 min
EV Repair Costs Are Closing In on Gas Cars — and Canadian Insurers Have Noticed
Mitchell's Q2 2026 collision data shows the repair-cost gap between battery-electric and gas vehicles in Canada has narrowed to just $1,234 — the smallest on record — as BEV claims passed 5% of repairable volume for the first time. Here is what is driving the parity.
technology
4 min
Starlink Mini Price Drops to $199 in Canada — Then Disappears Hours Later
SpaceX briefly listed the portable Starlink Mini kit at $199 CAD (down from $299), matching a U.S. drop to $149. By afternoon the Canadian price reverted to $299 — unclear if it was a glitch or temporary offer. Starlink Mini 2 with built-in battery rumored.
technology
6 min
EV Winter Accessories Canada 2026: What Owners Actually Buy
EV winter accessories Canadian owners recommend in 2026 — battery blankets, block heaters, tire pressure monitors, floor liners, and charging cables that survive Canadian winters.
technology
6 min
Best Winter EV Accessories Canada 2026: Stay Safe
Best winter EV accessories in Canada for 2026 — battery blankets, cold-rated cables, winter tires, floor liners, and must-have gear for cold-weather electric vehicle ownership.