The annual AJAC (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada) Eco-Run took place earlier this summer in Vancouver, a three-day event that showcases the latest and greatest eco-friendly vehicles available. At the same time, the event also aims to educate the public on how to drive in a manner that can both save money on fuel and help the environment.
"We have everything from small sub-compacts right up to a pickup truck and a hybrid sports car. So there’s a very diverse grouping here, all of them offering consumers the best technologies available in terms of fuel efficiency and emission controls,” said AJAC Eco-Run chairman, Clare Dear, at the launch in downtown’s Jack Poole Plaza.
A handful of journalists from across Canada gathered to test 18 vehicles from 12 manufacturers, on a route to Whistler, Pemberton and back with plenty of stops along the way to refuel and recharge the cars, which ranged from thrifty gasoline-powered examples to diesels to pure electrics. Here are three of our favourite fuel-efficient picks from this year’s Eco-Run.
Cadillac ELR
All new for 2014, the Cadillac ELR is a front-wheel drive plug-in luxury hybrid four-seater with a powerplant based on GM’s other popular electric model, the Chevrolet Volt. Making 207 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, the ELR debuted as the Converj Concept at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Utilizing Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) technology, the ELR can travel approximately 56 kilometers on pure electric mode, and almost 500 km with the assistance of the gasoline engine-generator that recharges the lithium-in battery rather than driving the wheels. Full Level 1 charging – via a standard household 120-volt wall socket – takes about 12 hours. If you visit a charging station or upgrade the system at home, a complete Level 2 charge at 240 V reduces that time down to about 4.5 hours.
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Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid
Porsche has been busy this year, adding three new variants of the Panamera luxury sports sedan alone. One of those is the S E-Hybrid, the first plug-in hybrid introduced by the German carmaker. It is easily distinguishable from the other Panameras by the massive, neon-coloured brake calipers. Don’t mistake its green tendency for sluggishness — this partially electric vehicle with a combined output of 416 hp will storm to 100 km/h in just over five seconds and has a top speed of 269 km/h. A large lithium-ion battery allows for a travel range of up to approximately 32 km on electricity alone in E-Power mode before the internal combustion engine kicks in, although I discovered that range can decrease drastically if you drive aggressively. Recharging is as simple as plugging the Porsche Universal Charger into a standard household 120-volt household outlet and a full charge can be reached in about 2.5 hours if you have access to a 240-volt power source.
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Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Short for Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle, this tiny hatchback is indeed original and was one of two cars (the other being the Nissan Leaf) at Eco-Run that ran purely off electric power. Driving the i-MiEV requires a different approach as under ideal conditions – average speed of 60 km/h with climate control off and an ambient temperature of 25C – range is capped at approximately 160 km. Fortunately, most cities in the province now have access to at least one Level 2, 240-volt charging station that tops off the battery in about seven hours. During our trip, we were even pleasantly surprised by the existence of a DC Quick Charge station in Squamish that reduces the total recharge time to 30 minutes. The i-MiEV is quirky looking with its arched roof and long wheelbase, and may sound slow with only 66 hp but 145 lb-ft of torque peaking at a low 300 rpm allows for brisk acceleration. MSRP starts at $32,998 although there may be government incentives available at the time of purchase depending on the province that you live in.
