Toronto, Ontario — In this weekly electric and autonomous vehicle report, a new study conducted by Leger reveals that the majority of Quebec drivers oppose the loss of ZEV incentives in the province; while Nissan announces the latest version of ProPilot Assist, which reminds drivers to limit time spent driving in the left lane.
Static studies
Sixty percent of Quebec drivers are opposed to the province’s plan to get ride of electric vehicle incentives, according to a recent survey conducted by Leger for the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association (CVMA) and the Global Automakers of Canada (GAC).
The survey specifically polled approximately 1,000 Quebec citizens between July 19 and 21, 2024 and further found that 40 percent of respondents would also not consider a ZEV for their next vehicle due to concerns over pricing, vehicle range and a lack of charging infrastructure.
Additionally, the poll revealed that 52 percent of those surveyed are opposed to Quebec’s plan to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035. More than 25 percent were also strongly opposed to the province’s decision.
President and CEO of CADA, Tim Reuss said in an official statement that government consumer support “must match the aggressive targets to a measurable and effective policy plan.”
David Adams, President and CEO of the GAC further commented that “while governments are free to establish whatever laws and regulations they see fit, it is incumbent upon governments then to support the compliance with those laws and regulations and in this case that means establishing realistic, achievable targets, maintaining purchase incentives until cost parity is achieved, and building out the infrastructure to support consumer adoption.”
ProPilot passes
Nissan has released its latest version of its ProPilot Assist highway driving technology, which includes a reminder for drivers to move over if they stay too long in the left lane.
Like the GM’s Super Cruise and Ford’s Blue Cruise, the updated system will operate on pre-mapped sections of highways and then will revert to driver input once it leaves a recognizable area.
Additionally, with the new feature, when a driver moves to the left to pass slower traffic but then stays in the lane, Nissan’s ProPilot system will issue a reminder alert that the vehicle has been there long enough and that it’s time for the vehicle to make a lane change back to the right.
The feature will be arriving in Canada in 2025 on the Nissan Rogue, Armada and the Infiniti QX80.
